One of the world’s most prestigious travel photography contests, Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) attracts entries from amateur and professional photographers in over 70 countries each year.

This year’s awards include four portfolio categories (Natural Elements, Cultures & Traditions, Exotic and Spirit of Adventure) two one-shot categories (Wild Moments and Work, Rest, Play), a New Talent category (Diary of a Destination) and the Young Travel Photographer of the Year award.

TPOTY 2011 is sponsored by Adobe, Cutty Sark, Explore, Tribes Travel, Tselana Travel, Oman Air, Oman MInistry of Tourism, Lexar, Plastic Sandwich, Photo Iconic, Genesis Digital Imaging and Young Photographers’ Alliance.

As well as receiving great prizes, the winners will see their images showcased in a major exhibition at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) in London in 2012, in the lead up the Olympic Games – fantastic exposure for any photographer. And the winning images will be published in the next TPOTY book, Journey Four.