Thomas C. Wilmer is a winner in the 2015 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition, taking the Bronze in the Audio Broadcast category for “Discover Montserrat” a three-part “Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer” NPR Travel Podcast series, produced by California Central Coast NPR affiliate KCBX.
The awards are named for Lowell Thomas, acclaimed broadcast journalist, prolific author and world explorer during five decades in journalism.
This is the 31st annual competition sponsored by the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation. Winners of the awards, the most prestigious in the field of travel journalism, were announced Oct. 5 at the SATW convention, held in Downtown Las Vegas.
The competition drew 1,406 entries, a near record, and was judged by members of the faculty at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. This year, the SATW Foundation presented 82 awards in 24 categories and nearly $20,000 in prize money to journalists.
In honoring Thomas Wilmer’s work, the judges said: “Discover Montserrat” magnificently captured, in a three-part series, the history of this Caribbean island and its current re-birthing following a volcanic explosion. Thomas Wilmer detailed how the government is working to ensure the island remains an unspoiled rain forest paradise. The added bonus in this exciting piece was the music connection with rock legends and local personalities. This is bright and informative journalism.
Among other winners, National Geographic Traveler, Outside and The New York Times are top media winners in 2015.
The Foundation distributes nearly $20,000 annually in prize money to individual winners. Contributions by Gold Supporter Carnival Corp. and other donors help sustain the competition and make prizes possible to recognize outstanding work in travel journalism.
For more information about the awards, including a full list of winners and judges’ comments, and SATW, visit www.satwf.com and www.satw.org.