Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Washington Post Entry Title: The Washington Post travel section Entry Credit: Amanda Finnegan, Gabe Hiatt, Lauren Bulbin, Katty Huertas , Jamie Zega Judge Comment: The Washington Post finds pockets of inventive story ideas and takes them in unexpected directions — an 18-course meal in a floating restaurant in remote Norway, sampling Fat Bear Week in Katmai National Park, the demise of an expensive Disney hotel that couldn’t attract enough Star Wars fans, a clever rundown of rude flying behavior. The stories are stylish, as well as original, taking travel writing up a notch by surprising the audience and then adding layers of research and detail to put together refreshing and satisfying reads.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Boston Globe Entry Title: The Boston Globe Entry Credit: Chris Morris Judge Comment: The scope of offerings in the Boston Globe’s travel sections is impressive and demonstrates an investment in talent and time to deliver a wide range of ideas and information to travel enthusiasts. The spectrum includes developing news, budgeting issues, trends, tips, problem-solving, conversations with experts, lively points of view and, of course, a rich array of features about offbeat destinations and adventures. What sets the section apart is consistent attention to the writing, which is lively, thoughtful and wise.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The New York Times Entry Title: The New York Times Entry Credit: Stephen Hiltner, Suzanne MacNeille, Elisabeth Goodridge, Danial Adkison, Tacey Rychter Judge Comment: The New York Times has a masterful way of transporting readers to fascinating destinations by combining essential information with personal experiences and quirky observations. The stories always add bonus details that make them authoritative but also delightful and intriguing. Wild ice in Alaska? Sold everything to go on a three-year cruise before it all unraveled? They are all invitations to sample, savor and taste the joy of the journey.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Wall Street Journal Entry Title: Wall Street Journal travel coverage Entry Credit: Adam Thompson, Sebastian Modak Judge Comment: Timely, assertive, news-driven pieces that provide a different dimension to travel writing are the hallmark of the Wall Street Journal’s travel coverage. One article takes a deep dive into the terrifying mishap aboard the Alaska Airlines flight that lost a chunk of the plane in mid-air. Another assesses the real cost of a Vegas vacation, and still another looks at a business reaping millions from the surge in national park visitation. Other stories do capitalize on the fun of travel, but the balance is valuable and noteworthy.
