TORONTO, Canada (27 June, 2013) – Some of Canada’s leading travel journalists were recognized today by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), for their excellence in showcasing the Caribbean through their work. The CTO presented eight awards at its Travel Media Awards luncheon during Caribbean Week in Toronto, held at The Boulevard Club in Canada’s largest city.
The secretary general, Hugh Riley, in a brief address before handing out the awards, thanked the journalists for helping tell the Caribbean’s story “in the most compelling way to Canadians, encouraging them to visit and enjoy some of what we from the Caribbean are blessed to experience and enjoy every day.
“We love sharing our warmth and our waters, our history and our heritage, our festivals and our fashion, our talents and our trails, our cuisine and our culture with you. We love sharing our Caribbean with Canadians and we savour every opportunity to present you with the holiday experience that you desire,” Mr. Riley said. “This is why we are thankful for the exceptional job the media are doing to help tell the Caribbean story. And you do it in a more compelling, more creative, more imaginative way than even we can. We are certain that you’ve played a part in bringing to the Caribbean, the three million Canadians who visited the Caribbean last year.”
Following his remarks, Mr. Riley presented the following awards to the well deserving travel journalists in front of a packed audience of industry officials, dignitaries and other well regarded journalists:
Been There, Wrote That – Best Feature Article In A Consumer Magazine
Sarah Staples, for her feature entitled, “Anguilla As You Like It” in Ensemble Vacations.
Michael DeFreitas was highly commended for his story entitled, “Antigua: A Beach A Day” in Cruise Holidays.
I Couldn’t Have Written Better Myself – Best Feature In A Consumer Newspaper
Jim Byers of the Toronto Star for his feature article, “Old Time Jamaica.” Josephine Matayas, also of the Toronto Star, was highly commended for her feature entitled, “Unspoiled Dominica is a promised land for hikers.”
Inner Circle King – Best Feature Article In A Trade Publication
Ilona Kauremsky of www.travelindustrytoday.com for her article, “A Cool Mix – USVI offers something for everyone.” Melanie Reffes was highly commended for her article, “Pleasures of Paradise – Living the Good Life in Saint Lucia” in Canadian Traveller.
Oh Snap! – Best Photograph
Michael DeFreitas, for a photograph that accompanied an article entitled " Dive into Fun – Amazing, Fantastic, Spectacular Caribbean Diving” in Passions Magazine. Sharon Matthews-Stevens was highly commended for her photograph which accompanied a story by Mark Stevens entitled, “The British Virgin Islands: Five Special Places for Snugging Down.” The article appeared in the dive magazine, All At Sea.
Virtual Visitor Award – Best Online Feature
Erin MacLeod of the Montreal Gazette for her story entitled, “Dominica will take your breath away.” Diane Slawych was highly commended for her article entitled, “A sweet getaway for Mom - Saint Lucia visit better than a box of chocolates” in the Toronto Sun.
Not Lost in Translation - Best Feature By A Canadian Journalist in a Foreign Medium
Michael DeFreitas for his feature on Anguilla entitled, “"A Beach Less Traveled" in World Traveler Magazine. Robert Sirdey’s article on Martinique in l’Actualité was highly commended
Golden Mic – Best Broadcast Feature
Loren Christie of CTV for his feature on weddings in Anguilla. Highly Commended was Kathleen Petty of CBC Radio’s Ontario Today for her feature on St. Vincent & the Grenadine’s Digital Detox campaign developed to combat traveller’s technology addictions.
They Like Me, They Really Like Me! – Best of the Best
Michael DeFreitas for “A Beach Less Traveled” in World Traveler Magazine.
The CTO Travel Media Awards entries were judged by a team of public relations and journalism experts, including Head Judge Dr. Rita Cox.
Editors’ Note. The “Highly Commended” were recognized but were not given awards.
For photographs please click here. For photographs from other Caribbean Week in Toronto events, please click here.
Caribbean Week in Canada is organized by the CTO New York office and is supported by CTO members; national tourist offices in the marketplace.
About the Caribbean Tourism Organization
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), with headquarters in Barbados and offices in New York and London, is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency comprising membership of over 30 countries and territories including Dutch, English, French and Spanish, as well as a myriad of private sector allied members. The CTO’s vision is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year round, warm weather destination by 2017, and its purpose is Leading Sustainable Tourism - One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean.
Among the benefits to its members the organization provides specialized support and technical assistance in sustainable tourism development, marketing, communications, advocacy, human resource development, research and information technology.
In addition the CTO, in partnership with the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, jointly and equally owns the Caribbean Tourism Development Company, a marketing and business development entity dedicated to promoting the Caribbean brand worldwide.
The CTO’s Headquarters is located at Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados BB 22026; Tel: (246) 427-5242; Fax: (246) 429-3065; E-mail: CTObarbados@caribtourism.com.
The CTO’s New York office is located at 80 Broad St., Suite 3302, New York, NY 10004, USA: Tel: (212) 635-9530; Fax: (212) 635-9511; E-mail: CTOny@caribtourism.com;
The CTO’s London office is located at The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, England. Tel: 011 44 208 948 0057; Fax: 011 44 208 948 0067; E-mail: CTOlondon@caribtourism.com;
For more information on the Caribbean Tourism Organization please visit www.OneCaribbean.org.
Get the latest CTO updates on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ctotourism .
Connect with CTO on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CaribbeanTourismOrganization.
*************************
DISCLAIMER
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers
Barbados News