First SWISS Travel Writer Award goes to Max Küng

31 July 2002

SWISS International Air Lines' first-ever SWISS Travel Writer Award has been bestowed on Max Küng. The Basel-based journalist was presented with the new award, along with a CHF 10 000 prize, by SWISS CEO André Dosé at a SWISS media event today.

Max Küng won the award on the strength of an article he wrote for "Annabelle" magazine which presented the city of Antwerp in Belgium in a uniquely intense way. The article made a strong appeal to the senses, and offered an intriguing insight into many facets of the city of which even the locals are barely aware. 

Küng's highly original travel and adventure reports are regularly featured in the "Magazin" produced by the TA-Media publishing house. In addition to his writing activities, he is also an occasional DJ and has composed soundtracks for a number of theatrical productions, including commissions for the Theater Basel.

"In creating our Travel Writer Award, we aim to encourage quality travel journalism," said André Dosé, SWISS CEO, presenting the distinction. "We also hope to help ensure that other cultures and ways of life do not seem strange to us, but appear interesting and fascinating instead." The winning article was chosen by a judging panel headed by Kurt Schaad of Swiss TV, and was selected from 72 entries.