Following last year’s hugely successful launch of the Rising Star Award the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) have decided to collaborate again on this exciting initiative, aimed at enticing a new era of travel writers in Australia.
The ASTW, introduced the award to their Awards for Excellence programme last year to bolster writers looking to expand their expertise into the often daunting but aspirational travel writing industry.
The award is open to writers and digital influencers who have had their first paid travel story published in the past two years.
Entries will be reviewed by three judges, including ASTW committee member and former editor Jeremy Bourke, HKTB’s Regional Director – Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific, Andrew Clark, and award-winning freelance journalist and media industry academic, Lee Mylne. The travel editor for Australian media organisation, Nine, will review a shortlist of finalists to select the final winner.
The winner will receive a trip to Hong Kong, including: return economy airfares; four nights’ accommodation; return airport MTR passes; MTR Octopus pass with HK$200 credit; dinner at Happy Paradise to the value of HK$830; Good Evening Kowloon walking tour; Tea House Theatre Experience at the newly opened Xiqu Centre; a HK$2,000 Klook voucher. The winner’s subsequent Hong Kong story will be published online by the Nine Traveller editorial team and will be considered for print.
Lastly, the winner will also receive a one-year Rising Star membership to the ASTW and will be invited to attend an ASTW Christmas lunch where they will be presented with their award.
ASTW President, Helen Hayes said “last year’s inaugural Rising Star garnered a great response and the winner’s story on Traveller.com.au was very well received. Justin Meneguzzi has since proven to be a valuable member.”
“With more than 300 members, the organisation holds a wealth of information, advice and talent which we want to share with those eager to craft a career in the travel writing industry,” Ms Hayes said.
HKTB’s Regional Director – Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, Andrew Clark said “last year I was extremely impressed by the high calibre of entries. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the ASTW to support emerging talent.”
“The destination content created by the 2018 Rising Star Award winner really captured the spirit of Hong Kong and I’m excited to see what this year’s winner will produce.”
“Its many microcosms of culture, East meets West atmosphere and buzzing neighbourhoods make Hong Kong the perfect destination for a travel writer with endless story opportunities.”
Last year’s winner, travel writer and photographer, Justin Meneguzzi said “Winning last year’s Rising Star Award was an incredible experience and learning opportunity. It gave me the chance to meet and learn from some of Australia’s top PR, editors and fellow travel writers at ASTW events, and then there was the prize famil to one of my bucket list destinations – Hong Kong. Having my article published on Traveller.com.au was hugely rewarding and a great addition to my professional portfolio. If you’re a budding travel writer and thinking of applying, I can’t recommend it enough. Take the plunge and enter.”
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