By Ian Neubauer

SpiceNews contributor James Wilkinson was named travel writer of the year for trade publications at the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) annual general meeting in Shanghai.

Wilkinson was recognised for his story ‘A Low Cost Revolution’, which looked at the proliferation of budget air carriers in the region. It was published in the February issue of Hotel & Accommodation Management magazine, a SpiceNews sister publication that is managed and edited by Wilkinson.

SpiceNews contributor James Wilkinson (left) and HM
magazine contributor Roderick Eime at the Australian
Society of Travel Writers AGM in Shanghai.

“To be recognised by your peers as the leading travel writer in Australia for industry reporting is an amazing feeling and one I will cherish for a very long time,” Wilkinson said. “Right now, I’m just looking forward to writing more stories in HM Magazine and for SpiceNews and hopefully down the track, some of these stories will be among the travel industry’s finest.”

Held at the ballroom of the new Swissotel, the ASTW handed out 17 awards at this years ceremony, honouring writers, photographers and public relations professionals in the travel industry.

Congratulating all finalists and winners, incoming ASTW president Vincent Ross said the evening was the most successful awards night the Society had ever held. With a record number of awards handed out and a record number of entries received, it marked an important step forward for our Society, he said.

The ASTW hold their annual general meeting around the world each year and host cities aim to increase awareness of their country in the media. It was hosted by Melbourne in 2007 and will next year travel to Bangkok.