Gold, Vasquez-Lavad, and Wheeler win Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards

Hannah Gold, Silvia Vasquez-Lavado, Tony Wheeler and Emma Willsteed were awarded prizes at the Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards in London last night (16th March).

At the ceremony at Stanfords’ travel bookshop on Mercer Walk, the co-founder of Lonely Planet, now in its 50th year, Wheeler was recognised for Outstanding Contribution to Travel Writing. Vivien Godfrey, chairman and chief executive of Stanfords described him as “the pioneer in what has become an established genre of travel writing".

“His first title, South East Asia on a Shoestring, helped thousands of budget travellers explore fascinating destinations previously the preserve of the affluent traveller. Many more titles for budget travellers followed, together with memorable books like Chasing Rickshaws — a pictorial view of this budget form of transport. The entire staff of Stanfords salutes Tony for inspiring travellers on a shoestring,” she said.

The Edward Stanford Travel Book of the Year went to Vasquez-Lavado for In the Shadow of the Mountain (Monoray), described as “a remarkable story of compassion, humility, and strength” in which she “beautifully documents her heroic journey to the summit of Everest accompanied by five other women, each struggling to come to terms with their own personal trauma".

Gold picked up the Children’s Travel Book of the Year award for The Lost Whale (HarperCollins Children’s Books), “an incredible story about the connection between a boy and a whale and the bond that sets them both free".

Finally, entrants to the Bradt New Travel Writer of the Year category were invited to submit an original piece of travel writing that focused on the topic ’Beneath the Surface’. The prize went to Willsteed for What Was Left Behind, “a beautiful piece of writing about Connemara in Galway”. She has won a three-night stay for two people on the West Iceland Escape trip at Glacier Lodge, sponsored by Discover the World and Play.  She will also be commissioned to write an article about her trip for Wexas Traveller magazine as well as the Bradt and Discover the World websites.

In total 18 travel writers made the shortlists for the Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards this year, and the judging panel included Colin Thubron, Sunny Singh, Julia Wheeler, Lois Pryce, Caroline Eden and journalists Ash Bhardwaj and Jeremy Bassetti.