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Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is proud to host Asia’s first ever Travel Blogger Awards as part of the Travel Bloggers Conference (TBCasia) 2016. This unique concept in recognising the impact of travel blogging on the global tourism and hospitality industry was officially launched from 15 to 17 October at TBEX Thailand, one of the world’s largest gatherings of travel bloggers, writers, new media content creators, and social media savvy travel industry professionals.
First held in 2014, in collaboration with the Professional Travel Bloggers Association (PTBA), TBCasia was the only Asian conference that brought together travel bloggers, both internationally and locally, to explore pioneering ideas and techniques that have made the travel industry such a large playing field for innovative channels of communication today. To date, the tour has resulted in more than 6,000 tweets with a four million reach and 49 million impression across social media networks that was possible through the immense following each of these bloggers brought to the table with them.
Following the successful completion of TBCasia in 2014, the event is now scheduled to take place in June 2016 with the inclusion of Cinnamon Travel Blogger Awards – that recognises the advancements of the travel-blogger community worldwide.
“Against the backdrop of the successful Travel Bloggers Conference, we are proud to pioneer the Travel Bloggers Awards in 2016 to recognise bloggers’ contribution to creating awareness and interest in travel destinations. Digital media is the new frontier for the industry and by recognising and rewarding these initiatives, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is proud to infuse the local travel and tourism industry with new thinking. Travellers are increasingly sourcing information about destinations from travel bloggers who are seen as an authentic source and by engaging these bloggers, we not only aim to encourage the practice of blogging, but also want to ensure that these bloggers can put forward a balanced view about Sri Lanka as a destination,” said Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Head of Brand Marketing Dileep Mudadeniya.
“Following the resounding success of the first Travel Bloggers Conference held in Colombo last year, SriLankan Airlines considers it a pleasure to be the ‘powered by’ partner of the Travel Bloggers Awards – 2016. At a time when the people’s media has taken precedence over traditional travel and destination promotions, it is vital that we as stakeholders, collectively promote and encourage the presence of bloggers in the country, which will in return inspire more and more travellers to explore Sri Lanka,” said SriLankan Airlines General Manager Corporate Communications Saminda Perera.
Travellers are increasingly seeking advice and inspiration through travel blogs, whether it’s for new destinations, travel planning, travel tips, things to see and do, where to stay, where to eat, or getting around. Experienced travel bloggers can be their best and most current source of information, because nothing can replace the speed of obtaining immediate information off the internet. Travel blogs are setting new standards and creating fresh avenues in travel and tourism that not only benefit the traveller, but the hospitality industry as a whole.
That is why Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is providing 60 bloggers with the opportunity to link up with some of the most creative and sought-after minds in the industry, and become a part of an event that will shape the future of travel. Bloggers who apply and register for the Travel Blogger Awards will stand a chance of being shortlisted and hosted in Sri Lanka by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts for a fully paid tour, the TBCasia conference and the Travel Blogger Awards Ceremony. Return air tickets will also be provided courtesy of SriLankan airlines, the official travel partner for the event. The pre-conference tour which will be held from 2-6 June 2016 will be followed by the one-day conference at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo on 7 June and culminate in a gala red carpet awards night on the final day.
The pre-conference tour will let the participants experience the rich history, culture, nature and beaches of Sri Lanka with mini workshops that will be held during the tour to engage bloggers and promote knowledge sharing sessions while gaining insight into the local travel industry. The hosted bloggers will also enjoy stays at some of the finest properties of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts such as, Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, Cinnamon Bey Beruwala, Cinnamon Citadel Kandy and Cinnamon Grand Colombo.
The conference will welcome over 300 participants, including the hosted bloggers who will be given the opportunity to interact with professionals from the travel and hospitality industry, including both local and foreign representatives of tourist boards, travel agents and other stakeholders. It will also feature leading digital media professionals representing world-renowned organisations explore trends, tools, and digital techniques that will help improve travel blogging. They will discuss the importance of content, how to effectively utilise social media, travel blogging trends and techniques, optimising your search engine, improving your online presence and visibility, blogging ethics, tangible revenue generation and the impact of blogging on your business. The conference will conclude with the grand Cinnamon Travel Blogger Awards Ceremony, where the shortlisted bloggers who participated in the pre-conference tour and one day conference, will stand a chance to become a winner in each of the following categories: Best Travel Blog of the Year (overall), Best Travel Blogger of the Year, Best Up-Coming Travel Blogger, Best Writing in a Blog, Best Travel Photography Blog, Best Travel Video Blog, Best Food Blog, Best Luxury Travel Blog, Best Airline Blog, Best Optimisation of Social Media and the Best Responsible Tourism Award.
It is a celebration of the brains, the personalities, the creators and the executors of all travel related blogs and media for they are the people who have inspired a thousand journeys and shared their stories that have paved way to countless destinations every day.
Registrations for Cinnamon Travel Blogger Awards end on 15 November. Please visit www.tbcasia.com to apply for this exclusive event and stand a chance to become a part of TBCasia 2016.
