- Members’ Survey: Watch out for next week’s email
- Better World Symposium Helpers
- Reminder from the BGTW Administrator: Annual General Meeting (AGM) Registrations: 2nd February 2026
- Webinar Correction
- Welcome back to Tharik Hussain!
- Newcastle Christmas Event
- Mountains Magazine
- Daniel Edward’s new podcast
- A message from Chair, Chris Coe: news from Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwa
G’day, Guildies
My windows were iced shut this morning, and not in a gingerbread house sort of way. How are you all faring in this cold weather? I’m going to the Caribbean again on Sunday (where, one hopes, my shower/s will work) and am excited to feel the sunshine.
In other news, I’ve been working this week on one of my non-travel, ‘Hollywood Icons’ features, this time about Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh. I’d had very little idea about the extent to which she struggled with her mental health throughout her life. It made me think about how lucky we are to now to have so much more recognition of, and compassion around, such issues.
It also reminded me of the fact that this is not always a holly jolly time of year for everyone and that the festive season can, in fact, exacerbate some of the struggles that many of us already face. The Guild is a great community on a professional level, but it’s also one where connections and friendships are formed – so on that note, I’d urge everyone to remember to check in with others. I am also always here as an ear, should anyone ever need one.
Take care of yourselves and each other, and have a relaxing weekend.
Sarah
Members’ Survey: Watch out for next week’s email
The anonymous 2025 BGTW Members Survey will be circulated soon. We would urge all members to take part as this will help shape the Board’s priorities for 2026. Please keep your eyes peeled for the standalone email early next week.
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Better World Symposium Helpers
We’re looking for a couple of helpers (token payment) to assist us on Monday, 19th January, at the Better World Symposium with photography, social media, and hybrid/presentation tech support. If you can help, please email daniel.clarke@bgtw.org. If you haven’t yet registered to attend, please see yesterday’s Better World mailing for further details on tickets, panels and speakers.
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Reminder from the BGTW Administrator: Annual General Meeting (AGM) Registrations: 2nd February 2026
If you wish to attend the 2026 AGM (in person or online), or appoint a proxy to attend on your behalf, please complete the registration form before midday on Thursday 29th January 2026. If you have a motion you would like to submit you can do so here – please note that we will need these by 5.00pm (GMT) on Friday 2nd January 2026. Submissions past that time cannot be considered.
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Webinar Correction
We’d like to apologies for an error in last week’s Friday Fix. We incorrectly named the 2026 webinar benefit. These are, in fact, Travel Writing Webinars by Meera Dattani. More details on the next webinar to follow.
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Welcome back to Tharik Hussain!
We are so delighted to say that Tharik Hussain has ‘unpaused’ his membership and is now back with us in the Guild! He has been missed and it’s wonderful to have him back. If you’re not already aware of Tharik and his work, please watch this interview, hosted by another one of our stellar members, Shebs Alom.
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Newcastle Christmas Event
As previously mentioned, Stuart Forster has offered to lead a Christmas market gathering in Newcastle city centre, however, the original date (Wednesday, 17 December) is now cancelled due to a Newcastle United match. Please contact Stuart if there is an alternate date you’d like to meet for a dusk stroll to capture photos of the festivities followed by a couple of drinks. stuart.forster@gmail.com
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Mountains Magazine
Mountains Magazine Winter issue is out online and on shelves now, and BGTW members get 10% off using code BGTW10OFF. That’s 100 pages of top travel writing delivered to your door for just £7.19. Run entirely by member Olly Beckett, this brand new travel magazine needs your help to get its name out there, so spread the word! Buy it here
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Daniel Edward’s new podcast
Please show your support for member Daniel Edward’s new podcast, Destination Unlocked! Daniel says:
“It’s my first podcast project – something I’ve wanted to get into for a while – and I’m extremely grateful to the many guests who have already joined me to record an episode (currently recorded episodes to carry us through to March) Open to any and all feedback and advice – and if you think it’s great, then please feel free to share it around!”
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A message from Chair, Chris Coe: news from Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwa
During our first convention in Sri Lanka last May, Sri Lanka and its people captured many of our hearts. Following our visit, and thanks in part to the coverage which many of you generated, Sri Lanka was heading for record visitor numbers this year and this was to set them on the path to recovery following many difficult years.
Last weekend Cyclone Ditwa hit the island, causing flooding and landslides. Whilst this has affected the country dramatically, news coverage has been less than accurate and this is resulting in many tourists, with winter sun and cultural and safari holidays booked, now cancelling.
The true story is that only the central parts hill country have been really badly hit, whilst the rest remains ready to welcome visitors. The area around Kandy and the tea country, which some of you visited and had a wonderful time in, is worst affected – cut off with landslides blocking most of the access routes, so aid is slow to get in.
But whilst there has been some damage in other areas, the rest of the country is open.
Read the official media release here and statement from the Ministry of Tourism here.
How can you help?
1) First, get the positive news stories out. If you’ve already done stories, please contact the publications and see if they’ll run an update or another story. If you haven’t published yet, then please update your story and push for it to run.
Please read a quote from John Vincent, Managing Director of Vector 7 Digital Marketing who’s just arrived in Sri Lanka, here.
2) Second, please ensure that your facts are accurate before you publish anything, especially on social media. I’m sure you do this as a matter of course but it’s a fast changing situation. However, once you have the information you need, please push out stories on social media and LinkedIn.
Some of the stories being published, even in publications like the Guardian, Telegraph and The Sun, aren’t correct – including one by some women asking up a story which resulted in the army and rescue services trying to reach them when they were already safe and on their way to Colombo. Misreporting obviously has an impact with Sri Lanka’s peak season fast approaching.
3) In the areas badly hit, many houses need rebuilding and businesses have been devastated. Some people in these areas have lost their homes and entire life’s earnings. The official government website for charity funding and support is https://donate.gov.lk
Of the areas the Guild visited, the areas worst affected are:
- Kandy, tea country and central hill regions – cut off by landslides and flooding.
- Pekoe Trail – the main parts visited by tourists are now open but some sectors are closed due to flooding and landslide. These will need extensive restoration work.
Call to restore the Pekoe Trail (winner of BGTW ITA award)
https://www.gofundme.com/f/A-C…
Help Sri Lanka Recover
After many difficult decades Sri Lanka’s tourist industry was growing and becoming much stronger. It is a major revenue source for the country so anything you can do to positively support the country will be a great help.
During our trip we were generously hosted in many places by Jetwing Hotels, the biggest hotel group in the country and one with a strong sustainability ethos. Owner Hiran Cooray’s message to you and the world is:
“Everything is almost back to normal everywhere and the recovery process has been incredibly fast by our amazing armed forces and government working through the night to rescue, clear roads and landslides. We are thankful the tourists have stayed on and spreading joy across the world about
their amazing travel experiences in Sri Lanka.“
Sarangi, who many of you know from our convention, is extremely busy dealing with the problems, but has asked me to thank you for anything you can do to help Sri Lanka recover and minimise the impact on their tourism.
If you would like any further information or specific clarification on where the problems lie, please contact Juliet (who is in touch with her regularly) and she will be happy to give you the latest up-to-date information on any specific places and tourist attractions.
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