2011 Phoenix Awards Announced
SOCIETY OF AMERICAN TRAVEL WRITERS NAMES 2011 PHOENIX AWARD WINNERS,
HONORS TRAVEL INDUSTRY CONSERVATION & PRESERVATION’S GLOBAL LEADERS
CONTACT: Eric Miller, 806-584-6792, eric@visitamarillotx.com
Diane Daniel, 919-286-9293, diane@bydianedaniel.com
November 10, 2011
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – The Society of American Travel Writers’ (SATW) annual convention, held in New Zealand this year, serves as the backdrop to announce the 2011 Phoenix Award winners. Created in 1969, the Phoenix Awards recognize conservation, preservation, beautification, and environmental accomplishments as they relate to travel. Four outstanding tourism projects were chosen this year:
Vandenberg Reef, Key West, Florida (www.bigshipwrecks.com)
Use of a retired military ship as an artificial reef, creating a productive new venue to attract vacationing divers from around the world, and relieving pressure on natural reefs by providing an alternative underwater attraction to divers. The project was the culmination of 13 years of work. “The creation of the Vandenberg Reef is a profound example of how business, environmental and marine biology experts can work together to promote and maintain a valuable infrastructure that attracts tourists from around the world,” a committee member wrote.
Herbert Kohler, Kohler, Wisconsin (www.americanclubresort.com/golf/ws)
This project took a polluted, virtually unusable, and seriously contaminated 560-acre tract of Lake Michigan shore land and turned it into the award-winning Whistling Straits Golf Course that brings worldwide attention, millions of dollars of travel spending, and hundreds of jobs to the east-central area of Wisconsin. The huge financial investment to clean up and undertake the project was done because of the vision, commitment, and risk of Herbert H. Kohler, President and Chairman of the privately-held Kohler Company in Kohler, Wisconsin. “I think Mr. Kohler deserves to be recognized for his almost single-handed effort to push this through and his belief that this course is a boon to and source of pride for the community and aids the environment,” a committee member wrote.
Railroad Park, Birmingham, Alabama (www.railroadpark.org)
Nearly four decades in the making, Railroad Park is a linear, 19-acre green space created on a former urban wasteland in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. The first stage of a planned “Three Parks Initiative,” it features a two-acre lake and meandering creeks; paths for bicyclists, runners, and walkers; benches; free wifi; a skate park; play areas for children; a grassy hillside amphitheater; outdoor workout equipment; and a shaded plaza with covered sheds that hold park offices, bathrooms, and areas for concessions. It serves as a space for recreation and small- and large-scale events. “This nomination has all the parts for a Phoenix Award – historical and environmental conservation, public/private partnerships, across-the-board benefit to the community and potential to fuel future growth,” a committee member wrote.
Quartier des Spectacles, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
(www.quartierdesspectacles.com/en)
At the very core of downtown Montreal, an extraordinary revitalization is underway on streets that, over the years, have reflected the city’s best and worst of times. This one square kilometer of Montreal’s downtown hub has had many faces, but until the Quartier des Spectacles (QDS) was conceived, it was a crumbling blight at the very heart of the city. The diverse artistic activities of the neighborhood draw over 5,000,000 people to Montreal every summer, creating more than 7,000 jobs. “Conceived and created since
the turn of this century in a rundown historic district of downtown, Montreal’s new QDS is making history. The public and private sectors of the city came together rapidement to plan and accomplish a spectacular model for urban revitalization and restoration.
Can’t wait to see, enjoy and write about QDS, in one of my favorite cities,” a committee member wrote.
SATW’s membership includes writers, editors, photographers, journalists, filmmakers,
and communications professionals who specialize in the travel industry. SATW
promotes responsible journalism, provides professional support and development for its
members, and encourages the conservation and preservation of travel resources
worldwide. To learn more about the Society, please visit www.satw.org.
