Pasadena, CA - The North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) today announced that Don Mankin won two gold prize in the 2013 Annual NATJA Awards Competition in the 50+ Travel category, one for internet (Crouching Tiger [India]) and one for print (Kayaking With Orcas in the Johnstone Strait [Vancouver Island]), which was the third year in a row for print. Don was also a finalist for two other articles in the 50+ Travel internet category (Touching the Cosmos in Antarctica and Monkeys and More in the Peruvian Amazon). This awards competition, now in its 22nd year, honors the “best of the best” in travel writing, photography and promotion that cover all aspects of the travel industry worldwide.
NATJA Awards recognize excellence in travel writing, photojournalism, social media, multimedia platforms, advertising, marketing and public relations for the travel and tourism industry. This year, NATJA received 600 submissions from all over the world.
“This year’s entries were an outstanding mix of local and international stories with dynamic and creative elements that provided the visual through words or photography to transport the reader to the destination,” said Helen Hernandez, CEO of the organization. “The judging has become increasingly difficult every year given the abundance of talent in the travel journalism community.”
NATJA is the second largest travel media association in North America. Members include travel media professionals, convention and visitors bureaus, social media, hotels and attractions, and other travel marketing agencies. Members are provided with professional development workshops, peer-to-peer evaluation, web tools and networking opportunities. NATJA also publishes TravelWorld International Magazine (www.travelworldmagazine.com).