I looked at the guest list and gulped. It was full of BIG names; travel publications like Condé Nast Traveller and National Geographic, renowned PR agencies like Four BGB and Hills Balfour and tourism boards ranging from Scotland to Mauritius. And then me, from some little unknown website called 40before30.com.
The awards begun. Prizes were handed out to really talented people from Lonely Planet and to the likes of Kevin May from Tnooz. I skulked at the back and tweeted:
“What am I doing here?!”
The awards were being swiftly handed out and soon enough it was time to announce the Travel Blogger of the Year – this first time this prize had ever been awarded at the British Travel Press Awards. The judges were read out:
Joel Brandon-Bravo, Travelzoo
Pleasance Coddington, VisitBritain
Alison Couper, Expedia Inc
Then the six nominees were announced. I raised my camera to get a picture of my face on screen as a nominee, thinking this was as good as it gets. I wasn’t really listening to what the announcer was saying, getting frustrated with my camera and it’s poor pictures in the dark. I thought I heard something that sounded like my name. My boyfriend was looking at me ecstatically.
“REALLY?” I said.
I fought my way through the crowd to get to the stage. People I respect hugely were congratulating me. It seemed to take ages and the man on the mike commented about the delay. On stage I worried about straightening my dress and breathing in for the camera, completely overwhelmed by what was happening. The announcer was saying something about why I had won, mentioning the 40before30 challenge, how I share my travel adventures and misadventures along the way.
Stepping down from the stage there followed a moment which put the icing on the cake. Resplendent in purple silk and that famous golden tan, “Well done” said Judith Chalmers OBE – to ME!!!! If I was ever asked as a child what I wanted to be when I grew up I would invariably reply Judith Chalmers, presenter of travel show ‘Wish you were here’. I suppose, in a way, I have found my own way to present the ‘Wish you were here’ concept. A way that fits the current approach for reading, researching and being inspired to travel; through this brand new industry we call social media.
Now for the cheesy thank you bit..
So I really want to thank you guys for bothering to read these musings on travel that I enjoy sharing so much. For caring enough to respond and engage with me, for being inspired to travel to places that I have enjoyed visiting. Thanks to the other travel bloggers who have shared their tips for success with me and to the wonderful fellow nominees I shared the evening with – Abigail King and Paul Corbett. Thanks to my mum for being my first subscriber and to my boyfriend who insisted on attending the Travel Press Awards with me although I told him it would be a waste of his time. Turns out it wasn’t!
You can view a full list of the winners at the British Travel Press Awards 2011 on their website.
50 Comments
Emiel
November 29, 2011 at 2:25 pmCongratulations Jayne, that is great news! You can be (and I’m sure you are) very proud as I believe it is very hard to stand out in between all the great travel bloggers out there. Job well done!!
Jayne
November 30, 2011 at 10:59 amThank you Emiel, I feel honoured more than anything, but very happy too 🙂
Heather
November 29, 2011 at 2:37 pmCongrats Jayne, this is awesome! You’ve always been one of my fave bloggers and tweeps.
Jayne
November 30, 2011 at 10:59 amThanks Heather and don’t tell anyone but you are one of my fave readers and bloggers too :p
Heather
December 1, 2011 at 5:56 pmSecret’s safe with me 😉 Hey, I should be returning to London once or twice in the first few months of 2012. Hoping you’re in town when I come!
Alicia
November 29, 2011 at 2:45 pmCongrats Jayne! So happy I get to congratulate you in person next week in SFO! Weeeee!!!
Jayne
November 30, 2011 at 11:00 amCelebrating geek style! Yay!!!
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures
November 29, 2011 at 2:54 pmWOW!!!!!!!!!!! Such huge news! SUPER CONGRATS!!!
Jayne
November 30, 2011 at 11:01 amThanks Andi!! You are one of my inspirations 🙂
Cole @ FourJandals
November 29, 2011 at 3:10 pmThoroughly deserve it! Congrats.
Jayne
November 30, 2011 at 11:01 amThanks mate!
Marie-Eve Vallieres (@eurotriptips)
November 29, 2011 at 3:12 pmBig congratulations, you absolutely deserve it 😉
Jayne
November 30, 2011 at 11:01 amYou are very kind 🙂
Wayfaring Wanderer
November 29, 2011 at 3:15 pmWoot! Woot!
That’s awesome! Congratulations 😀
Jayne
November 30, 2011 at 11:01 amThank you!!
Jen
November 29, 2011 at 5:18 pmYesss!!! Well done Jane you totally deserve it xxxx
Jayne
November 30, 2011 at 11:01 amThanks Jen. You are very kind xx
Micamyx|Senyorita
November 29, 2011 at 5:20 pmCONGRATULATIONS! 😀
Jayne
November 30, 2011 at 11:02 amCheers!
Gerard ~ GQ trippin
November 29, 2011 at 6:12 pmCongrats Jane. Well done! Quite the accomplishment!
Jayne
November 30, 2011 at 11:02 amAh thank you
quirkytraveller
November 29, 2011 at 7:40 pmQuirkilicious congratulations Jayne – couldn’t happen to a lovelier lady – and great travel blogger x
Jayne
November 30, 2011 at 11:03 amThank you Zoe for your kind words and generous support. I feel very grateful xx
Family Affairs
November 29, 2011 at 7:49 pmCongratulations – well done indeed – I was on the list of nominations but didn’t get to the finals….SO big huge respect! Lx
Jayne
November 30, 2011 at 11:03 amThank you so much – and well done to you too! I look forward to checking out your blog xx
Suzanne Corbett
November 29, 2011 at 10:58 pmCongratulations, even though you did beat my big brother Paul, having read your blog for 5 minutes I am already hooked. I will now be an avid reader of your adventures x
Jayne
November 30, 2011 at 11:05 amThank you Suzanne, I couldn’t have been up against a nicer man than your brother. It was great to share the evening with him and he deserves many congrats too! Wonderful to have found a new reader in you though. Hope you enjoy x
Kieron
November 29, 2011 at 11:58 pmCongrats Jayne! 😀
Jayne
December 1, 2011 at 1:12 pmCheers guys 🙂
Nadia
November 30, 2011 at 6:52 amCongrats!!
Jayne
December 1, 2011 at 1:13 pm🙂
Carlo+Geneva
November 30, 2011 at 7:35 amCongrats!!
scorpiogenius
November 30, 2011 at 8:35 amCongrats Jayney. Befitting accolade, considering how passionate you are on travel. Give us more! 🙂
Jayne
December 1, 2011 at 1:13 pmThank you and I certainly will 🙂
Deborah Klaassen
November 30, 2011 at 11:12 amI read it on twitter, but it wouldn’t be right not to congratulate you here as well. Well done, Jane! Congratulations!
Jayne
December 1, 2011 at 1:14 pmThank you so much Deborah – so kind!
Emily in Chile
November 30, 2011 at 6:28 pmCongrats! I can’t imagine how excited you must be 🙂
Jayne
December 1, 2011 at 1:14 pmIncredibly Emily haha
Sam's Playground
November 30, 2011 at 6:37 pmWell done! I’ve just found your blog but I’ll be following your travels on RSS.
Jayne
December 1, 2011 at 1:15 pmthanks and welcome!!
monica
November 30, 2011 at 11:38 pmWell done jayney, I’m so pleased for you 🙂
Jayne
December 1, 2011 at 1:15 pmThat is so sweet! Thank you!
Dad
December 1, 2011 at 5:01 pmWell done Jayne.
Dad.
Jayne
December 10, 2011 at 9:54 pmhaha thanks Dad! Now where is my present?! :p
Travelbunny
December 1, 2011 at 6:21 pmWell done – congratulations!
TheWorldOrBust
December 2, 2011 at 9:41 pmKillin’ it!
Abi
December 5, 2011 at 8:37 amCongratulations – and thank you for the shout-out! Was good to catch up with you both again x
Tushar
December 14, 2011 at 3:04 amCongratulations & Celebrations.
Wishing Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Party Party Party.
» Review of 2011 for 40 before 30 » 40 countries before I'm 30 40 countries before I'm 30
January 26, 2012 at 1:43 pm[…] own way. Something else amazing happened this year, I was honoured (and completely shocked) to win Travel Blogger of the Year at the British Travel Press Awards. This site is my favourite hobby so to be recognised in such a way by the industry is really the […]
Interview - Fab 5 with Girl Tweets World | vegeTARAian
May 28, 2015 at 10:30 pm[…] a category to recognise the work of bloggers and I was the very first recipient of the title Travel Blogger Of The Year. Not only did the recognition open many doors for me professionally but it was also the moment I […]