Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Oregonian Entry Title: ‘I’ll never forgive them’: How years of systemic issues plagued Crater Lake Entry Credit: Jamie Hale Judge Comment: This groundbreaking report is based on hundreds of pages of data and multiple interviews that document a systemic pattern of neglect and unaddressed deficiencies at Crater Lake National Park. This lack of oversight is putting visitors and employees at risk of injury, assault and serious illness. The report reveals that the concessionaire has demonstrated appalling negligence in maintaining and supervising its properties at the park for at least five years. It is a classic, effective, meritorious example of first-rate investigative journalism.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The New York Times Entry Title: A New Frontier for Travel Scammers: A.I.-Generated Guidebooks Entry Credit: Stephen Hiltner, Seth Kugel Judge Comment: The insidious creep of artificial intelligence is authoritatively reported here by identifying a collection of shoddy guidebooks on the market by “authors” claiming to be travel writers. The AI-generated books are accompanied by deceptive reviews that lure readers into a new kind of tourist scam and threaten to sink legitimate travel literature. The report demonstrates how these books, which are carried by Amazon without any disclaimers, distort the truth and promote misleading information that can even be dangerous.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Fodor's Travel Entry Title: Dying for Your Vacation: The Travel Workers Risking Their Lives for $10 a Day Entry Credit: Sara Frenning Judge Comment: This report sheds light on the disparities within the booming business of mountain guiding, where demanding climbers expect their Sherpas to bear enormous burdens on their backs for shocking wages. The problem is compounded by the Nepali government’s willingness to let ill-prepared climbers risk their own — and their Sherpas’ — lives for a hefty fee. The story is candid in describing the extent of the exploitation and the life-threatening risks involved. Helpful solutions are also presented, outlining the steps that could bring fairness and equity to this kind of adventure travel.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Lilit Marcus Entry Title: These kids get free vacations thanks to their YouTube fame. But what happens behind the scenes? Entry Credit: Lilit Marcus Judge Comment: The dark side of thrusting children into the spotlight so parents can reap free vacations as travel influencers is explored here. There is a growing campaign afoot to require parents to compensate children who are used as cute props on social media accounts, particularly since most are unable to stand up for themselves or demand their privacy. This is an eye-opening account of a new kind of child labor.
