Travel Weekly features editor Katie McGonagle wins Visit USA media award

Travel Weekly’s features & supplements editor Katie McGonagle has won a Visit USA media award for Travel Trade Press Feature 2017.

The annual awards recognise the best travel writing about the country, attracting more than 300 entries in categories covering national newspapers, consumer magazines and online content.

Judges described McGonagle’s piece on Yellowstone National Park, which was published in Travel Weekly’s luxury title Aspire, as “both informative and engaging” and praised it for highlighting reasons to visit the region in winter.

The event took place on Tuesday night at St Ermin’s Hotel in London, and attracted more than 100 UK journalists and suppliers, with a Media Marketplace event sponsored by Travel Texas before the awards, which were sponsored by VisitDallas and Fort Worth CVB.

Travel Weekly made up three of the four shortlisted pieces in the trade category, and was also ‘highly commended’ for a piece about music tours in the Deep South. Regular Travel Weekly contributor Ella Buchan also received recognition in the new Digital Influencer category.

Features & supplements editor Katie McGonagle said: “I’m delighted to have won the Visit USA award for Travel Trade Press Feature 2017.

Yellowstone National Park is breathtaking at any time of year, but to experience it in winter – when the landscapes are even more beautiful, and the wildlife even easier to spot against the snow – was a real privilege. And it was even better to come back and share that knowledge with travel agents so they can feel more confident making bookings to the US.”

Read the feature online here.