Celebrating Excellence in Travel Storytelling: Meet the 2025 Canadian Chapter Award Winners

🎉 Cue the champagne (or maple syrup!) The Canadian Chapter of the SATW has announced the winners of its 9th Annual Chapter Awards, honoring standout storytelling in travel media. This year’s ceremony took place on May 27 at the sleek Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square in Toronto—and was also broadcast to SATW members nationwide and to those attending the Charleston chapter meeting.

With over 140 entries from across the country, the awards showcase the breadth and talent of SATW’s Canadian membership—from evocative photography to insightful service pieces and immersive digital storytelling.

Why These Awards Matter

For SATW members, this annual celebration is more than a ceremony—it's a platform to gain industry-wide recognition, connect with fellow professionals, and inspire continued excellence in storytelling.

“I’m impressed with the level of storytelling and visual captures that our entrants have displayed this year. The landscape for travel reporting is constantly changing, and our members are leading the way.” -Kathy Buckworth, Chair, Awards, SATW Canadian Chapter

Whether you’re a writer, photographer, videographer, or digital creator, SATW offers the opportunity to have your work seen, celebrated, and amplified—one of many benefits of belonging to a trusted professional network.

Honoring Innovation and Impact

This year’s awards introduced two new categories: Best Culinary Story and Most Impactful Storytelling—a reflection of how travel media continues to evolve in both content and form.

New category – Most Impactful Storytelling 

• GOLD Grant Fraser British Columbia’s Columbia Valley – “Where the Mountains (and Golf) Bring Peace to the People” | Flagstick.com

• SILVER Jennifer Bain Sharing Inuit Stories In Torngat Mountains National Park, National Park Traveler

• BRONZE Glen Petrie Pura vida on the Star Clipper in Costa Rica | Vancouver Sun

New category – Best Culinary Story 

• GOLD Jennifer Bain What I Learned About Caviar From Taking A Sturgeon Safari — Modern Traveller

• SILVER Elizabeth Chorney-Booth Where to enjoy a taste of irresistible maple syrup in Quebec, Publication 

• TIE BRONZE Robin Esrock Canada’s non-alcoholic revolution | Canadian Geographic

• TIE BRONZE Robin & Arlene Karpan The Jabugo Route: Tasting Iberian Ham in Huelva, Spain — travelingmitch

Best Virtual Story 

• Gold  Jennifer Weatherhead Park City Travel Guide: Episode 8, Next Destination

• Silver Jennifer Weatherhead BEST CAFES IN VIENNA, Next Destination

• BRONZE Kevin Wagar VRBO CATB 16×9 15 Beach CA ENG Amazing Things To Do in Saskatoon, Wandering Wagars 

Best Service Story  

• GOLD: Carolyn B Heller Prince Edward Island: The Canadian Province Where ‘Anne of Green Gables' Was Born, Publication 

• SILVER Carolyn Ray Thinking About Train Travel? Expert Tips from the Man in Seat 61 – JourneyWoman

• BRONZE Carol Perehudoff 150 Years of Impressionism in France and How to Celebrate It, Publication 

Best Photo, People

• GOLD Kevin Wagar How To Conquer Meteora, Greece: Your Guide To The Monasteries, Hikes & Hidden Gems Of Greece's Most Beautiful Landscape – Wandering Wagars

• SILVER Wendy Nordvik World wonders along Bay of Fundy Coastal drive New Brunswick, Publication 

• BRONZE Melody Wren Meeting George Kourounis, the Storm Chaser | Arctic Focus

Best Photo, Places 

• GOLD Linda Barnard In the Great Bear Rainforest, a Wild Visit That’s Gentle on the Land  – Food, Wine & Travel

• SILVER Robin Karpan Discover the Best Wildlife Hotspots on Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula – Explore Magazine

• BRONZE William Tang 3 Day Gros Morne National Park Itinerary (with Map) – Going Awesome Places

Best International Story 

• GOLD: Barbara Ramsay Orr ,Extremadura: Dragons, Paprika and Palaces, Best Side Magazine 

• SILVER: Barb Sligl Chasing the Stars Under the Dark Skies of Southern Utah | MONTECRISTO

• BRONZE: Darcy Rhyno Cycling on Shikoku Island, Japan, from mountains to ocean, Toronto.com 

Best Canadian Story 

• GOLD: Linda Barnard In the Great Bear Rainforest, a Wild Visit That’s Gentle on the Land  – Food, Wine & Travel

• SILVER: James Ross CATL #49 Winter 2024.indd  The Ultimate BC Ferries Coastal Circle Trip

• BRONZE: Robin & Arlene Karpan Discover the Best Wildlife Hotspots on Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula – Explore Magazine

A Night of Community and Connection

Thanks to our host sponsor Le Germain Maple Leaf Square, members were treated to opening remarks by General Manager Nicolas Lazarou, who shared exciting news about upcoming hotel openings in Ottawa, Montréal, and Vancouver.

Sandals Resorts, represented by SATW member Tracy McCanof of Pembroke PR, treated attendees to a celebratory toast while unveiling their new Made of Caribbean campaign. Velas Resorts added to the festivities with a luxe door prize: a five-night all-inclusive stay at Grand Velas Riviera Maya, awarded to Kevin Wagar of Wandering Wagars.

Join a Network That Champions Great Storytelling

These awards are just one example of how SATW fosters excellence, celebrates innovation, and helps elevate the work of its members. From professional development opportunities to editorial exposure and peer recognition, SATW brings together accomplished travel media professionals to celebrate exceptional work and foster industry-wide connections.

If you're a writer, content creator, editor, PR professional, or travel brand representative looking to grow your network—and get your best work seen—consider applying to join SATW.

👉 Learn more at www.satw.org

📸 Congratulations again to this year’s winners. Your work continues to inspire and elevate the travel media landscape.