The Inspire Global Media Awards (IGMAs) recognise excellence across the travel media landscape, celebrating stories of sustainable and positive-impact tourism. Now in their second year, the awards honour stories that exemplify the ethos of tourism as a force for creating positive socio-cultural, environmental and economic change while captivating audiences. 

With a distinguished panel judging 27 categories, the IGMAs have spotlighted the contributions of eight National Geographic Traveller (UK) writers nominated for their features.

The finalists include: 

UK & Europe  

‘Land of Stories’ by Adrian Phillips 

The opening of the Pelješac Bridge in southern Croatia means it’s easier than ever to head out along the coast on a road trip from Split to Dubrovnik, taking in ancient stone villages, underwater wine and pirate legends.  

Shortlisted in: Consumer Magazine Feature of the Year (Print) 

Africa & the Indian Ocean 

‘Winds of Change’ by Sarah Marshall 

Life plays out much as it always has on the great plains of Kenya’s Maasai Mara, but the latest generation of Maasai are gradually changing the face of modern safari — with greater empowerment for female guides and local communities as a whole. 

Shortlisted in: Consumer Magazine Feature of the Year (Print) 

‘Spirits of the Sacred Forest’ by Sarah Marshall 

Madagascar is home to colourful chameleons, fierce fossas and over 100 species of lemur. But With much of the Indian Ocean island’s wildlife facing extinction, its indigenous communities and eco lodges are focused on conserving their precious habitats. 

Shortlisted in: Consumer Magazine Feature of the Year (Print) 

Asia, Australasia & Oceania  

‘In the Footprints of the Ancestors’ by Emma Thomson 

On the beaches of remote Western Australia, where the sea is the same colour as the sky, the latest generation of Aboriginal custodians are reclaiming their heritage and using tourism to showcase their customs and knowledge to travellers in meaningful ways. 

Shortlisted in: Consumer Magazine Feature of the Year (Print) 

‘Beach Clean-Ups, Biking and Art Bars on a Slow Tour of Thailand’s Koh Mak Island’ by Richard Franks  

Community ownership has helped the residents of the eastern Thai island of Koh Mak curtail development and create a low-carbon haven for slow exploration.  

Shortlisted in: Consumer Magazine Feature of the Year (Print) 

Latin America & The Caribbean  

‘Back to Basics’ by Sarah Gillespie 

Around the grounds of Hacienda Zuleta, the local Andean community works across a range of initiatives to tell the story of their ancestors and celebrate centuries-old traditions.  

Shortlisted in: Consumer Magazine Feature of the Year (Print) 

North America  

‘Plains Speaking’ by Karen Gardiner  

In Saskatchewan’s Wanuskewin Heritage Park, bison are a vital piece of the Indigenous cultural history and have been brought back from the brink to help rewild fragile grasslands.  

Shortlisted in: Consumer Magazine Feature of the Year (Print) 

‘Flavours of the Great Plains’ by Zoey Goto 

Amid the expansive grasslands of South Dakota, Matte Wilson and his family and friends are using food to reclaim their Sicangu Lakota culture, one dish at a time. 

Shortlisted in: Consumer Magazine Feature of the Year (Print) 

Global 

‘Is Reintroducing Species Always a Good Idea?’ by Emma Gregg 

Shortlisted in: Consumer Feature of the Year – (Online/Print) 

The award winners will be revealed at an exclusive event in London on 16 April 2024. The full list of finalists is available here.