An article on lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) travel in the Caribbean has copped the top award at the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)’s Caribbean Travel Media Awards programme. The article by Joe Pike of Travel Agent magazine won the Best of the Best award at today’s awards luncheon at the Marriott Marquis in New York, part of the programme for Caribbean Week New York organized by the CTO.
Dubbed, How to Sell LGBT Travel to the Caribbean, the story explores Caribbean destinations and properties that pursue the $200 billion market and provides tips and trends to those who are considering it. It has its origin in a session organized by the CTO during last year’s State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Curacao.
“It is an extremely informative, well-researched and reported story. Mr. Pike did a nice job working to inform his readership about a growing LGBT travel market. Thanks to extensive research, he provided interesting data about the market potential and did first-hand reporting by interviewing industry experts to gather market intelligence. He also covers important sub-topics like safety, family travel, and same-sex marriage. Lastly, through detailed research, Mr. Pike identifies the most welcoming islands and hotels. This was an original idea and will definitely provide new and interesting information to the reader,” said director of international communications at the Washington-based The Boeing Company Steve Lott, one of the judges for the contest.
“It is very unique and different,” added Yuriy Boykiv, chief executive officer of Gravity Media, a New York-based marketing and advertising agency.
Pike was one of ten travel writers and photographers awarded today for their coverage of the Caribbean.
The winners of this year’s Caribbean Travel Media awards are as follows:
Been There, Wrote That – Best Feature Article In A Consumer Magazine
Vivian Holley - Jamaica Magic--Having it All at Half Moon – Southern Seasons Magazine
I Couldn’t Have Written Better Myself – Best Feature In A Consumer Newspaper
Sharon Millar - Mermen Come Calling (a story on the folkloric legends of Tobago) – The New York Times
Inner Circle King/Queen– Best Feature Article In A Trade Publication
Joe Pike - How to Sell LGBT Travel to the Caribbean - Travel Agent Central
Virtual Visitor Award – Best Online Feature
David McFadden – Jamaica hopes Jewish Tourism can help fading community – The Associated Press
Golden Mic – Best Broadcast Feature
Valerie D’Elia - Experiencing Antigua Like a Local – NY1 News
From Infinity…And Abroad! (Best Feature by a foreign Journalist in US or Caribbean Media)
Eric Vohr – From James Bond to a smuggler's hangout, Bahamian chain has it all – Chicago Tribune
Oh Snap!– Best Photograph accompanying a feature
Brian Irwin - Fly-fishing on the Sapodilla Cayes off the coast of Belize, a photograph accompanying a story entitled, Ecotourism a Natural for Belize in the Boston Globe
No Anansi Story! (Best Feature by a Caribbean Journalist in Caribbean Media)
Chanaz Kokkelmans - Statia-cation : A Vacation on Statia - St. Maarten Daily Herald
Oh My Word, I Blogged! (Best Blog Post)
Rachelle Hay - Salt & Shimmer: Down D Islands, looking at travel in the region. This winner of this award was determined by voters in an online poll.
Caribbean Week New York celebrates the sights, sounds, colours, culture and unique holiday experiences of the Caribbean.
