In:House #17

Posted on in Announcements by Mark Bibby Jackson

In this issue of In:House you will find:

Welcome from Chris Coe

It’s nearly summer! Although I’m sure if you say that to some of our members based in northern climes, they’d disagree at the moment.

The things we’re trying to pull together for you, the membership, take time but are now starting to gather momentum. There’s a membership questionnaire below and your views are important so please take a moment to respond to it; all paused members have been contacted and invited back; press trips are rolling in and the first regional events are now in the diary.

About 40-45 members enjoyed our networking event with PRs yesterday evening. Prior to that, your Board met with a group of about 15 PRs to find out how we can do things better, improve our links and communication, and build stronger relationships between us. The conversation was enlightening. At times, the criticisms were hard to hear, but it highlighted the need for the Guild to modernise/rebrand and improve if we are to be relevant in a rapidly changing industry. What was really heartening, though, was that the PRs are clearly enthusiastic about having a strong and engaged Guild.

Behind the scenes, new standard operating procedures (SOPs) are coming together and better record keeping is being prioritised, especially in response to ICO requirements. The website will improve, so please be patient. We’re putting the backend right first before making it a better showcase for you. Sarah and Dan are also busy pulling together a new Code of Conduct which will address some of the issues highlighted in recent times. And we’re reviewing entry criteria for new members to ensure that the BGTW attracts the best. Both will be a requirement of membership.

The revitalised Members’ and Tourism awards are scheduled for launch in about a month’s time, thanks to the hard work of the review panel. More news on rebranding and modernisation, plus the podcasts and webinar will follow soon.

On a personal note, I’d just like to say that all these things don’t happen by magic. It’s down to the hard work of our enthusiastic Board members, along with the other members supporting them. So I’d like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of them for all their efforts. I certainly couldn’t do my job without them.

Best wishes,

Chris Coe, on behalf of the BGTW Board

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Quick updates from the Board

  • The Modernisation and Rebranding Panel (Alicia Sheba, Kassondra Cloos, Lisa Kjellsson and Daniel Clarke) had their first meeting last week and will continue working on this review with a feedback report planned for the Board in June
  • The Awards Review Panel (Rudolf Abraham, Tim Bird, Lynn Houghton and Shebs Alom) have completed their review of the awards structure. The last meeting to put together recommendations was joined by Lisa Kjellsson who will be working on the awards and judging. The recommendations will now be discussed by the Board.
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Last night’s event: Networking with PRs – an update from Chris Coe

The Guild welcomed around 24 PRs to the Charing Cross Theatre for a very relaxed and enjoyable networking evening, thanks to our hosts at Made. Jonathan and his team are long term supporters of the Guild, with events both in London and in the regions. This week they are also hosting one in Stratford and coming up soon another in Manchester.

We warmly welcomed our PR friends, some of whom attended the Board’s PR meeting last week. At the meeting, 15 PRs gave us feedback and their opinions on how we can be a better Guild and work together more closely.

This was a chance to catch up with familiar faces and make some new connections. The enthusiasm for face-to-face meetings was palpable, and the event was very well received by both members and PRs, with numerous requests to do more. We certainly will!

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All members survey

To ensure the Board best represents our members, we would love for you to take 10 minutes to complete an anonymous survey covering sustainability, benefits, training, communications/website, and membership.

Please respond via the form linked below by May 14th. An initial summary of feedback and potential actions will be shared in June

Click here to complete the survey

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Awards and recognising BGTW members’ talent

On 12 March 2024, TravMedia announced the finalists for the TravMedia Awards in an industry broadcast. 

Congratulations to all the BGTW TravMedia finalists: Becki Enright, Bella Falk, Mary Novakovic, Abigail King, Mike Unwin, Nigel Tisdall, Emma Gregg, Shafik Meghji, Adrian Phillips, James Stewart, Simon Parker, Heidi Fuller-Love and Kav Dadfar and all involved with JRNY.

And massive congratulations to James Stewart who won the Freelance Writer of the Year category.  For a full list of winners please click here

The Spanish Tourist Office (UK) has announced the winners of Spain’s Sustainable Media Awards 2024. Many congratulations to Simon Parker who won the Sustainable Content Creator Content of the Year category, to Meera Dattani who was runner up in the Online Consumer Sustainable Tourism Feature of the Year category and Ross Clarke as joint runner up in the Consumer Magazine Sustainable Tourism Feature of the Year (print) category.

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Members’ news – contributed by Shebs Alom

I am thrilled to team up with Disney/National Geographic to promote their amazing new book on my podcast, Take a Wander with Shebs ‘Here Not There: 100 Unexpected Travel Destinations’! The show will air next week – members can subscribe to my channel on the link not to miss it.

https://youtube.com/@Shebsthewanderer?si=j2KIwh8X5FDx9rha

I spoke to author Andrew Nelson as he shared insights into his incredible work during our recording. Also a big thanks to the Disney PR team for liaising with me, sending me the book from Washington, and providing materials for the edit.

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Members’ Excellence Awards

Get your awards entries ready for the end of May! Did you know the CASH prizes for our Members’ Excellence awards are substantial? 

A lot of work goes into getting sponsorship to provide these but some of these awards are poorly supported by entries. Not only is this your chance to win, but it’s your chance to keep all these awards at future Galas. If the entry is low this year in some categories then those will be dropped in 2025.

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Sponsorship and Partnerships

Budgets are tight this year throughout the travel industry. It’s an issue we’re facing in securing an AGM venue. 

It’s also a big challenge for Renate and Mary Anne for the Gala dinner and the Awards, so if you have any good leads for potential partners, please contact them. Also any facilities and / or products which you like to recommend so that Dan can investigate for benefits.

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Events update from Mary Anne

I am getting together a diary of events for the year. Confirmed so far: 

  • Monday May 27 (details tbc); 
  • July 1 Summer Party; 
  • Nov 4 BGTW Gala Awards Dinner. 

So there are more events to arrange. But I also need suggestions from you as to what kind of events you would like. So please let me know; we can’t arrange the right kind of events unless you tell us what is of interest and use to you. 

I would also really welcome suggestions of possible London venues. So if you have contacts with PRs of new hotels, for instance, I can try those. Please contact me on maryanne.evans@bgtw.org.

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Regional events update from Valery

Durham Event in August

Save the dates 8 and 9 August for an event in Durham. Itinerary to be decided in May. Please send expressions of interest to valery.collins@bgtw.org

Harrogate Event

The Harrogate event has been postponed to a date in October, possibly 9 or 16 October. Please send expressions of interest to valery.collins@bgtw.org. We do need details of confirmed commissions including the publication, publication statistics or proposed social media coverage please.

Theatre Visit in Manchester 6 June 2024

The Guild has been offered 30 tickets plus interval drinks and a programme each, to Disney’s Aladdin, on Thursday 6 June at the Palace Theatre in Manchester:

Disney’s ALADDIN Palace Theatre Manchester

From the producers that brought you The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Frozen, comes the spectacular Disney Broadway and West End musical ALADDIN. Already seen by over 14 million people worldwide, this exuberant production, based on the 1992 animated film is filled with unforgettable magic, comedy, breath-taking sets and dazzling costumes. It also features new music, alongside all the smash hit songs by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, “Friend Like Me”, “A Whole New World”, “One Jump Ahead”, “Prince Ali”, and “Arabian Nights”.(https://www.aladdinthemusical.co.uk/).

To take advantage of this very generous offer from Jonathan Mountford at MADE apply to valery.collins@bgtw.org 

Tickets will be limited to 2 per member and are offered on a first come first served basis.

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Press trips update from Valery

Following a recent meeting with a selection of PRs, I will be reporting back in detail regarding requirements for applications to participate in press trips. But here are the salient points: 

Confirmed commissions are essential with details of the publication and statistics relating to that publication. It is also advisable to include information about the article(s) you intend to write eg theme, subject, length. 

If the PR promoting a press trip wants members to contact them directly, that will be made clear in the invitation for applications. Otherwise applicants will be invited to contact me in the first instance and relevant applications will be forwarded to the PR/destination concerned. In this case I will not be providing PR/Destination details. 

Any questions? Feel free to contact me at valery.collins@bgtw.org

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Group Press Trip: The Baltics as the new Med, 17th – 21st May

Exodus Adventure Travels is looking for at least one, maybe two travel writers to join this trip discovering the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on 17th – 21st May 2024.

The countryside, national parks and coastal areas of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are varied and stunning, adding a touch of wilderness to the history and culture of the cities and towns we visit on our journey from Tallinn to Vilnius.

Discover the architectural wonders of the vibrant city of Tallinn, explore the pine forests and sandy beaches of Estonia’s Lahemaa National Park and Gauja National Park, a region known as Latvian Switzerland. Wander the winding alleys and elegant boulevards of Riga’s magnificent old town and visit the 14th-century castle of Trakai. 

Please see below for the sample itinerary:

  • Tallinn city walking tour, with a museum and attraction visit
  • Exploring Lahemaa National Park in Estonia and Gauja National park in Latvia
  • Riga Old Town walking tour
  • Visiting the resort town of Jurmala and the Hill of Crosses, a pilgrimage site in Lithuania
  • Vilnius city tour and visit to Trakai Castle


Please Note: Applications should be made directly to both Jess@wearelotus.co.uk and their Exodus email, exodustravels@wearelotus.co.uk

Don’t forget to include details of a confirmed commission and the publication where it will appear. Good luck. 

Any questions? You can contact me at valery.collins@bgtw.org

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Press trip: Lisbon, Avenida da Liberdade, July 2024

I have received a very specific request to source 3 or 4 travel writers with an interest in Lisbon or Europe who could get a confirmed commission to cover the elements of the programme (provisional) outlined below. This trip will include visits to shops, restaurants and museums and will also focus on the topic of “tax free”.

If this is right up your street – let me know at valery.collins@bgtw.org – please include details of confirmed commissions and information pertaining to expertise in this area. Travel writers only, sorry, no bloggers.

Provisional Programme (including accommodation, meals and return flights)

PROGRAMME

DAY 1 – Thursday 11 July

Arrival

  • 11:00-12:00 Hotel Heritage
  • 12:30-15:00 Restaurant Sítio Valverde
  • Lunch (tax free talk)
  • Informal 15-minute presentation on Avenida da Liberdade
  • 15:30-16:30 Medeiros & Almeida Museum – exclusive 45 m visit, guided by the Museum Director who will explain who Medeiros e Almeida was
  • 16:30-18:30 Free time
  • 18:30-20:00 Cocktail launch Arte in Avenida – an action aimed at bringing contemporary art to Avenida’s shop windows and spaces, curated by the Sociedade Nacional de Belas Artes.
  • 21h – dinner / Free time

DAY 2 – Friday 12 July

  • 10:00-17/18:00 Tour “From public promenade to Luxury District”
  • Walk up the Avenida from the Restauradores to Eduardo VII Park, discovering the Luxury District.
  • Historical context on the Avenida promenade, highlighting the English connection, architecture, some statues (History with Voice project), etc;
  • At the same time, showcasing Portuguese brands in different sectors that offer differentiating experiences and approaches. Each shop will give a brief presentation (max 15 metres) and offer a gift. Tax free clearly visible in the shop.

STORES

  • Tony Miranda Haute Couture –
  • André Óticas –
  • Maria João Bahia –
  • Buchholz Bookshop –
  • Boutique dos Relógios Art Plus
  • Delta Café
  • Refer to international associates present (Cartier, Loewe, Burberry, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tods etc)
  • Lunch
  • 19:00 Tivoli BBVA – Fado Tasting
  • 21:00 Praia no Parque – dinner and integrated disco

Day 3 – Saturday 13 July

Free time

Return flights

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Isle of Man coverage

If you have yet to submit your published articles or media from the AGM, please send links / clippings to Charlotte.

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Board contact details

Chris COE, Chair: chris.coe@bgtw.org

Daniel CLARKE, Vice Chair & Sustainability Lead:  daniel.clarke@bgtw.org 

Valery COLLINS, Regional & National Liaison Director: valery.collins@bgtw.org

Mary Anne EVANS, Events Director: maryanne.evans@bgtw.org

Sarah RODRIGUES, Membership Director: sarah.rodrigues@bgtw.org

Renate RUGE, Sponsorship & Partnerships Director: renate.ruge@bgtw.org

Richard VILLAR, Board Secretary: richard.villar@bgtw.org

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BGTW on social media

We’re always up for sharing your work, events, news, projects etc. 

Social media is managed by a small team.  If you’re not being followed by the BGTW, email us.

Twitter: Tag @travwriters in your tweet/photo if you want us to see / share.

Instagram posts: Select ‘Tag people’ then tag @travwriters.
You can use the #bgtw hashtag or tag@ us in post copy/comments, but they’re harder to track. Tagging IN the pic guarantees we see it.
Stories/Reels: Use the ‘@mention’ function to tag us.

Facebook: We can promote your work/news on our public Facebook page. Send links via FB Messenger to that account.

LinkedIn: You can ‘@’ British Guild of Travel Writers in posts and we’ll like/share/comment when possible/appropriate.

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Mark Bibby Jackson
By: Mark Bibby Jackson Editor, Freelance Journalist, Travel Writer