The promotion of “indigenous tourism” has now gained higher prominence in the product development and marketing policies of just about every country. However, indigenous tourism operators have a long way to go.

Your BATW Website Editor thanks her husband, Michael Kamerick, for forwarding an article “Airfare Bargains in ‘Worldwide Distress Sale’” from the San Francisco Chronicle about the great airfare bargains you can now find, including:

We’re adding a new section at the top of your screen called Member’s Books to feature books written or photgraphed by BATW members.  I’m asking authors of the fine books in these photos to please write up a brief description of your book and email it to Marc@MarcTravels.com with BATW...

Lee Foster & Ann Purcell's "Photographer’s Guide to Washington, DC" Lee Foster and Ann Purcell’s new book The Photographer’s Guide to Washington DC: Where to Find Perfect Shots and How to Take Them is now available from Countryman Press/Norton.  Lee has a parallel book on San...

BATW member Bob Ecker has been named the SF International Travel Examiner at Examiner.com.  He’ll be posting news, events, commentary and, of course, his many travel stories from around the globe.

Karen Misuraca has been named the SF Resort & Spa Examiner at Examiner.com.  She is posting reviews of the best resorts and spas around the world, and news, special offers and package deals.

Congratulation to Kay Grant, who received a Merit Award from North American Travel Journalists Association for her piece “Scene Stealer” about Ruidoso, New Mexico, and the Spencer Theater.  It appeared last year in New Mexico Magazine.

Holy Man, Varanasi, India, by John Montgomery Buddhist Monks with Rice & Tea, Bhutan by John Montgomery Congratulations to John Montgomery, who won two Merit Awards for photography in the 17th Annual North American Travel Journalists’ Association Awards for his “Holy Man, Varanasi, India” and...

Bob Cooper has launched a website that highlights his travel, sports and general-interest writing.  Or, as he likes to say: “As the spider said to the fly, ‘I’m on the Web now.’”

Ginny Prior‘s article “Dakota Deutschland” appeared at contracostatimes.com on Mar. 27. “Dakota Deutschland” In a list of the world’s gourmet foods, sauerkraut never seems to make the cut. But don’t tell that to the folks who make their home in what’s known as North...