The Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) competition 2009 is now open for entries.

This year’s competition offers more categories and prizes than ever before, while the title of ‘Travel Photographer of the Year’ remains one of the most prestigious in the business.

Winners will scoop trips to China, Costa Rica and Morocco with Intrepid Travel, and to Slovakia’s Tatra Mountains with Mountain Paradise.

There’s also a full range of photo gear on offer, along with vouchers to spend at leading photographic retailers.

This year’s competition features three portfolio categories – Homeland, Natural Wonders and People of the World. There’s also a ‘One Shot’ category on the theme of Festival, Fiesta and Celebration, plus categories titled New Talent, First Shot and Young TPOTY.

Entry is via print submission or online image upload, with entries closing September 22nd. For more information and to submit your images, visit the Travel Photographer of the Year website.