Travel Writers Honored at U.S. Travel’s IPW Event with Prestigious Awards

Image generated with Ai

During the IPW event hosted by U.S. Travel, the U.S. Travel Association and Brand USA presented Travel Writer Awards to five distinguished journalists. These awards recognize exceptional travel journalism across three categories: outstanding articles on U.S. travel destinations, exemplary coverage of the previous IPW host city, San Antonio (2023), and superior writing in trade publications.

The 2024 awardees include:

Best U.S. Travel Destination Article

• Pedro Montaño from Mexico, editor at POST Mag, was awarded for his article “Alaska: La frontera desconocida.” The judges praised the article for its captivating narrative and imagery, which vividly enticed readers to consider traveling based on the provided itinerary and tips.
• Eduardo Burckhardt, a journalist from Brazil, received accolades for his article “A Verdadeira Little Italy” in UOL (Universo Online). His piece was noted for its outstanding visual narrative and in-depth reporting, blending historical insights with contemporary cultural elements.
• Shayla Martin, a freelance writer from the USA, was recognized for her piece in The New York Times titled “2 Black Heroes, 2 Cities in New York: A Journey Into the Past.” The judges found her article engaging and educational, offering readers a detailed guide to exploring significant historical sites.

Finalists in this category included Dirk Baumgartl (Germany, Spartacus Traveller), Marco Berchi (Italy, La Stampa), Helen Hayes (Australia, Vacations & Travel), Rashmi Narayan (UK, Adventure.com), and Wing Sze Tang (Canada, Toronto Star).

Best Trade Publication Article

• Harmke Kraak from The Netherlands won for her article “Atlanta? Yes, Atlanta,” published in We Love Travel magazine. It was highlighted for its insightful focus on Atlanta as a major U.S. gateway city, encouraging travelers to extend their visits.

Finalists in the trade publication category were Holger Jacobs (Germany, fvw | TravelTalk) and Mike MacEacheran (UK, Travel Weekly).

Best IPW Host City Article (San Antonio, Texas)

• Claire Dodd from the UK was honored for her article “The Dead Are Alive,” featured in JRNY magazine. The piece was admired for its beautiful prose and photography that explored the rich cultural traditions of San Antonio, particularly the Day of the Dead.

The category’s finalists were Aleney de Winter (Australia, BoyEatsWorld.com) and Andrea Miramontes (Brazil, Lado B Viagem).

The competition, which received nearly 250 submissions from journalists across five continents, evaluated entries based on originality, compelling storytelling, and the ability to inspire travel to the U.S.