Archive for October, 2011
A Social Society: SATW on Twitter
By Angela Moriarty
Some 450 North American travel writers, communicators, speakers and their companions will soon be hitting the coolest little capital in the world for the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) convention. 
As well as writing hundeds of stories to be read by the global masses, we’re hoping delegates will be tweeting about #Wellington, our fabulous little #capitalofcool, when they’re here. The official hashtag for the conference – being hosted by @Wellington_NZ in partnership with @PureNewZealand and @flyairNZ - is #satwnz.
Here’s a list of attending delegates that we’ve found on Twitter. If you’re heading our way and aren’t on the list, just post a comment and I’ll add you.
So without further ado, we’re looking forward to welcoming…
@AnneBanas – Anne Banas: Executive Editor, Escapes Under $500 columnist, media spokesperson of SmarterTravel. And lover of all things local and organic, especially food.
@GutsyTraveler - Marybeth Bond: Women Travel Expert,80+ Countries, Nat Geo Author, 11books.Guest Oprah. Source, Tvl Expert,NYT, Forbes,Cosmo,CNN,CBS,NBC,ABC,Fox.
@reidbram - Reid Bramblett: Travel expert, founder of Reidsguides.com, guidebook author, travel writer, dad. Specialist in Italy, Europe, trip-planning, budget travel, adventure, outdoors.
@bethdaddono - Beth D’addono: Food and travel writer.
@Alisondarosa - Alison DaRosa.
@Lauradelrosso - Laura Del Rosso: A San Francisco-based travel journalist, blogger and author of SF travel apps to Chinatown/NorthBeach/Wharf and Great Escapes: Northern California.
@Holyrover - Lori Erickson: Freelance writer.
@Terrygard - Terry Gardner: Travel writer, passionate environmentalist, scuba diver, critter watcher and outdoor adventurer (adrenaline junkie/bungy jumper).
@Coastalvoyager - Kathy Hagood: Freelance travel writer and photographer specialising in coastal travel.
@Julieleaveshome - Julie Hatfield: Boston Globe travel & features writer for 22 years, now sharing my cruise & other exotic adventures freelance online & in print. Active member SATW.
@Spudhilton - Spud Hilton: Travel Editor, S.F. Chronicle; blogger at Bad Latitude on SFGate. Also see @Sfchrontravel
@Travelpix - Bob Holmes: Photographer, writer and speaker specialising in travel, food and wine.
@Evelynkanter - Evelyn Kanter: Green travel, green cars, and how to save the green in your wallet on both. Also at www.NYContheCheap.com.
@Kruzicathy - Cathy Kruzic.
@Paullasley - Paul Lasley: We watch and report on travel in all its shapes and sizes.
@Mooneykelly - Gail Mooney: Photographer, filmmaker, video producer, avid traveler, and proud mom of Phi Beta Kappa daughter.
@Dangerjr - Jill K. Robinson: Freelance Writer & Editor | Traveler | Tequila Demigoddess.
@Lynnseldonink - Travel journalist team published in dozens of newspapers and magazines.
@Wanderlust13 - Veronica Stoddart: Deputy Managing Editor for Travel, USA TODAY. Striving to join the Travelers’ Century Club.
@Annietravel - Annette Thompson: travel writer. photographer. foodie. cook. gardener. runner. morning person. optimist.
@Clairewalter - Claire Walter: Freelance writer (food, travel, snowsports).
@edwetschler - Ed Wetschler: Executive ed of Tripatini.com, freelance writer, SATW NE Chapter chair, capo di Greenwich Village.
@janewooldridge - Jane Woolridge: Travel addict, former travel editor, Lowell Thomas travel journalist of year. Currently Miami Herald Business Editor; also oversees coverage of visual arts.
@nolanews - Latest news and updates from NOLA.com and the Times-Picayune.
@cotravelgirl - Angela Berardino: Travel addict, Mac geek, lover of cocktails, figured out a career to over-indulge in all. It involves social media things with travel & outdoor brands.
@maryinmadison - Mary Bergin: Author, photog whose travels begin in Wisconsin, often focus on food. Easily amused, properly impressed with all the little wonders of the world and back yard.
@beabroda - Bea Broda: Broadcast (TV and web) journalist/producer/writer/host specialising in travel with a particular interest in Peace through Tourism.
@bob_bone - Robert W. Bone: A travel writer since about 1957 — yep, an old guy! See robertbone.com as well as travelpieces.com.
@cruiseeditor- Editor in Chief, Cruise Critic (.com and U.K.), world’s largest cruise info source.
@johnnyjet – Money Saving Travel Expert who visits 20+ countries a year.
@amyeckert - Amy Eckert: Author, writer, photographer. Exploring the world on foot, by train, by plane, by Harley…
@sandrafriend - Sandra Friend: Florida travel writer, author, blogger, speaker, hiker, trail enthusiast. Member SATW, ASJA, FOWA, SCBWI. Take a hike, Florida! Also tweeting at @floridahikes.
@chrisgahl - Chris Gahl: Indy advocate, world traveler, most importantly–dad. VP at the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association.
@lisegiguere - Lise Giguere: Journaliste ayant la passion des voyages/travel writer.
@caroundtheworld - Chris Gray Faust: Travel journalist/blogger/columnist for Chris Around The World, Frommers.com & USA TODAY Travel Alliance. Winner, 2010 Lowell Thomas travel writing award.
@mikehiller - Mike Hiller: Travel writer Food writer Wine writer Golf writer Eat. Drink. Golf. Travel. Write. Repeat.
@gregjohnston50 - Greg Johnston: Photography / Director.
@larrydlarsen – Writer, photographer, book author and website/book publisher on Outdoor Travel subjects including exotic fishing, islands & adventure around the world.
@dale714 - Dale Leatherman: President, Society of American Travel Writers; Content Editor, DiscoverHorses.com. Specialties: equestrian, golf, adventure, Caribbean.
@torontomulticul - Ruth Malloy: Travel writer and photog for VisualTravelTours.com.
@chrismcbeath - Chris McBeath: Award-winning writer, travel journalist, and spa wellness expert.
@mojotraveler - Diana Lambdin Meyer: Travel writer, author, public speaker.
@traveluv -Carole T. Meyers: Freelance travel writer (author Weekend Adventures in San Francisco & Northern California), publisher, and blogger.
@junenaylor75 - June Naylor.
@dodaniels – Donna O’Daniels
@orracle - Barbara Ramsay Orr: Journalist specialising in food, culture and travel.
@facingthestreet - Laura Byrne Paquet: A freelance travel writer specialising in ways travellers can live like locals on the road.
@dianarowe – Diana Rowe: Denver-based freelance travel writer, TravelingMom.com Grandmom blogger, mom of 4, Harley rider, SATW member, www.TravelingInHeels.com.
@bsscreative – Barb Sligl.
@cathysenecal – Cathy Senecal: Author, writer, Scrabbler, Travel Manitoba PR peep – polar bears, whale snorkelling+ – traveller, loving mom, loving partner, loving quirk.
@globaltaster - Margaret Swaine: Global writer on wine, golf, food, spas, travel and all the good things.
@writerdwilliams – Deborah Williams.
@brandyyyanchyk – Brandy Yanchyk: Creates documentaries and new features about Canada for various broadcasters including the BBC, CBC, OMNI and Deutsche Welle.
@lorihenry – Lori Henry: travel writer and author specializing in indigenous cultures and dance.
@Bdrysdale – Bethany Drysdale: Tweeting as @NevadaPR and occasional tweets from New Zealand wineries as @Vino_Beth.
@travelfish – Stuart McDonald: Founder of Travelfish.org.
@CBHarrington – Candy Harrington: specialising in accessible travel for slow walkers and wheelchair users.
Wellington Winter Wonderland
News Release: August Surge Completes Record Winter for Capital of Cool
A near 40% surge in commercial guest nights spent in the capital in August has resulted in Wellington’s busiest winter ever.
Commercial Accommodation Monitor figures released today show guest nights spent in Wellington city increased 21% across the June-August quarter to 502,754. This was 18% ahead of the previously busiest winter period in 2009 and represented a 55% increase across the past decade.
Positively Wellington Tourism (PWT) Chief Executive David Perks said the Statistics New Zealand figures – which take in all types of commercial accommodation in the Wellington region – reflected the tourism organisation’s own monitoring of its city hotel partners.
“The August growth was in large part due to an earlier start to the Brancott Estate WOW Awards Show, while the third serving of Visa Wellington On a Plate and continued growth in the Australian visitor market would also have been factors.
“This shows us not just how valuable events are to our economy, but how pivotal it is to strategically schedule events and to build a suite of festivals, shows, concerts and matches that attract different audiences that benefit a range of businesses.” The results showed that in the face of adversity, opportunities can be found and converted, Mr Perks said.
“Nationally the tourism industry is pretty challenged at the moment and Wellington hasn’t been buffered from that; we’ve had to work really hard for this. And by ‘we’, I don’t mean Positively Wellington Tourism – I mean Wellington Inc; the city’s hoteliers, attractions, restaurateurs, airlines, transport operators, Wellington City Council’s Events team and many more have all played a hand and worked together to make this happen.”
The challenge now was to build summer visitation to the capital.
“One of the key drivers of the winter growth, was the 3 Nights for Two hotel campaign so we’re bringing that back for a December/January booking period and extending the offer to other business sectors. We’ve got a great platform to work off with Unveiled at Te Papa opening in December, another sell out NZ International Sevens, and then NZ International Arts Festival running through February and March. We’re confident we can keep the city’s guest night numbers well in the black.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
Positively Wellington Tourism (PWT)
PWT is the regional tourism organisation for Wellington. It is a council-controlled organisation primarily funded by Wellington City Council through the Downtown Levy, a targeted rate paid by commercial ratepayers in downtown Wellington.
Wellington Tourism statistics
• Visitors spend over $2200 in the Wellington region per minute – $1.2 billion every year. (Source: Ministry of Economic Development Regional Tourism Data).
• Over four million visits are made to Wellington every year: 750,000 international and over 3.4 million domestic. (Source: Ministry of Economic Development Regional Tourism Data).
