North American Travel Journalists Association Announces 2012 Award Winners For Excellence In Travel Writing, Photography, Promotion PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- The North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) has announced the winners of its 2012 NATJA Awards Competition. Awards were given to publications, travel writers, and photographers whose work was represented in print and electronic media from October 2011 through September 2012. Additionally, awards were given to the top convention and visitors bureaus, PR agencies and destination marketing organizations. The competition, now in its 21st year, honors the "best of the best" of travel writing, photography and promotion that cover all aspects of the travel industry worldwide. "This year's entries were outstanding, both in quality of the journalism, excellence and range of coverage," said Helen Hernandez , CEO of the organization. The creativity is reflective of the vibrancy of the travel journalists' community and destination marketing organizations. The winners transported the reader through evocative storytelling and spell-binding photography. Four overall Grand Prize winners are selected in recognition of outstanding excellence in the categories of travel journalism, photography, publications and DMO/CVB submissions. Grand Prize winners in this year's competition were: Virtuoso Life as a publication that combines world-class journalism with creative art direction to provide an entertaining and satisfying reader experience; the Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau for their comprehensive and well-communicated information on their destination; Catherine Karnow and David Noyes for their engaging and captivating photography; and Andrew McCarthy for his fascinating and thought-provoking narratives. Additionally, one first place (Gold) winner is chosen in each of the 58 categories along with 2nd (Silver) and 3rd place (Bronze) runners up. The mission of NATJA is to foster high quality journalism by supporting the professional development of its members, providing exceptional benefits and valuable resources, honoring the excellence of journalism throughout the world, and promoting travel and leisure activities to the public at large. Award winners in the various categories are available on the NATJA website at www.natja.org Media Contact: Yanira Leon North American Travel Journalists Association, 626-376-9754, yani@natja.org SOURCE North American Travel Journalists Association RELATED LINKS http://www.natja.org/awards