This has been an exceptional year for APL Media, which received an unprecedented number of nominations and awards for its successful new formats, digital strategies and returning initiatives. The in-house teams celebrated exciting milestones this year. 

Explore now: 

1. National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s Jan/Feb 2025 Japan issue achieves record popularity 
   APL Media’s most successful National Geographic Traveller (UK) issue to date, the Jan/Feb 2025 edition set the tone for the year to come with a cover story on the alternative side of Japan. The issue tapped into an ever-booming interest in this country within travel media and raked in recognition and accolades across some of the industry’s biggest awards. Read more here. 

2. Living360 launches its inaugural health report  
   Forecasting key trends for the year ahead, the annual health report by APL Media’s lifestyle publication Living360 was introduced at the beginning of 2025 and returns in January 2026. Read this year’s full report here.  

3. The Masterclasses by National Geographic Traveller (UK) goes on- and offline  
   Alongside four online sessions at the end of January and a three-part Travel Writing for Beginners workshop in September, The Masterclasses by National Geographic Traveller (UK) invited experienced travel writers, editors and photographers to a celebrated live event held at the Buffini Chao Deck, National Theatre, London. Read more here. 

4. National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s moving covers  
   Launched in March 2025, National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s animated covers have become an immersive feature of each new issue launch on social channels and are set to continue into the following year. 
   See all covers from 2025 here: https://aplmedia.co.uk/a-year-of-national-geographic-traveller-uks-digital-covers-in-review 

5. APL Media hosted over 10 interns   
   As part of multiple early-career initiatives available at APL Media, a talented line-up of interns was guided by the experienced in-house teams in taking their first steps in the industry. APL Media would like to thank all interns for their work and contributions: Carrie, Lena, David, Mahalia, Annalise, Kinza, Daniela, Charlotte, Amirah, Elinor and Esmé.  
    
   Relaunched at the end of 2025, the Editorial Internship at APL Media enables emerging voices to take their first steps in journalism with six-week internships up for grabs. For more information and to apply, visit: https://aplmedia.co.uk/we-are-hiring-editorial-intern/    

6. NGT Guides + Collections expansion 
   From Portugal to Ecuador and Guatemala to Massachusetts, readers of National Geographic Traveller (UK) were able to escape into additional journeys through the magazine’s in-depth destination supplements this year. Joined by thematical guides on the best of winter sports in 2025-2026 and small ship cruising, the content branches left no stone unturned. Additionally, The Collection by National Geographic Traveller (UK) reached audiences keen to try new experiences. Find out more about the supplements and Collection editions. 

7. The National Geographic Traveller (UK) Food Festival delighted with some of the world’s most exciting flavours — and headliners 
   The fifth National Geographic Traveller (UK) Food Festival brought together some of the biggest names in the culinary world at the Business Design Centre in London over the weekend of 19-20 July. Featuring headliners Yotam Ottolenghi, Andi Oliver and Asma Khan, among many others, the event hosted a plethora of the world’s most exciting dishes in partnership with destinations such as Louisiana, Ecuador, Georgia, Greece, Barbados and Türkiye. The festival also celebrated the final print issue of Food by National Geographic Traveller (UK) before its move online. Read more about the 2025 Food Festival here.  

8. National Geographic Traveller (UK) awards sweep 
   It was a monumental year for National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine’s editorial team, as they were recognised at some of the most prestigious awards in the industry. This included the TravMedia Awards (for Travel Magazine of the Year 2025), BSME Awards (for Best Newsletter 2025) and the PPA Awards (for Cover of the Year 2025).   

9. TV, radio & podcast takeovers 
   In 2025, some of APL Media’s editors and writers made appearances on national and international TV and radio shows, including Aisha Nazar on Chinese broadcasting channel Phoenix TV, Kira Richards on BBC Sounds, Sophy Moyes on BBC Radio London’s Breakfast Show, Lorna Parkes on BBC Look North, Karlina Valeiko on Latvia’s TVNET+ channel and Pat Riddell on the Jules Vernes Podcast.   

10. APL Media’s editors attended industry events in great numbers 
    Keeping up with the travel industry’s fast-paced innovations and trends, APL Media’s editors took journeys far and wide to attend conventions around the world, including Sam Kemp at the ABTA conference in Majorca, the team’s attendance at this year’s World Travel Market in London and Maria Pieri moderating at the 32^nd annual PPA Conference and Trade Exhibition in June.   

11. National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s campaigns explored new formats 
    National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s branded content team had a particularly successful 2025, producing a catalogue of campaigns that have gained award recognition and tested new limits with inventive content features. The long-standing partnership with Ecuador Tourism was nominated for Best Campaign at the 2025 BSME Awards and content published for Switzerland Tourism featured maps for the first time. Find out more about partnering with APL Media here.  

12. National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s Photography Competition 2025 captured emerging talent 
    In its 13^th edition, National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s Photography Competition attracted thousands of entries once again, showcasing the creativity and originality of photographers capturing the world around them. The grand prize winner this year was Justin Cliffe for his entry in the ‘People’ category. His portrait is of a woman and her great-granddaughter in Lào Cai province, Vietnam. Read more here.  

13. Living360 spotlights active women with its Made to Move campaign 
    APL Media’s lifestyle brand Living 360 shed light on the challenges women face in sports today with its multi-month Made to Move campaign, featuring interviews with celebrated Olympic athlete Lizzie Deignan and health experts in the field, as well as a reader-forward survey. More events and information to follow. Read more here. 

14. APL Media’s teams grew  
    Across 2025, the in-house teams welcomed a whole new cohort of fresh and returning faces, including Lucy Coward (sub-editor), Sophy Moyes (head of marketing), Jessica Prupas (senior content editor), Hayley Sigrist (digital marketing executive), Sam Ford (content marketing producer), Lena-Marie Müller (digital content assistant) and Natalie Fris (chief financial officer), among many others.  

15. Travel Media Awards platformed outstanding achievements of 2025 
    The 11^th annual Travel Media Awards at Pan Pacific London on 13 October, welcomed a record number of entries in recognition and celebration of excellence in travel storytelling. Attended by some of the biggest names in the travel, the awards further established themselves as a prestigious accolade in the industry. Read more here.   

16. APL Media’s family grew, too 
    Celebrating a total of four baby announcements, the office turned extra jolly for Mattie Lacey-Davis, Hannah Doherty, Georgia Stephens and Jessica Prupas in 2025. Mattie and Hannah have already welcomed their new family additions in the first half of the year. Congratulations!  

17. Digital campaign for National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s rail content and Hotel Awards 2025 
    This year, the digital team behind National Geographic Traveller (UK) sought out new creative heights with multi-channel campaigns for the brand’s outstanding rail storytelling and annual Hotel Awards. Utilising novel newsletter templates, immersive content carousels and the launch of a Pinterest account, the strategy tapped into fresh audiences and drove record-high engagement. Read more here.  

18. The Step Up internship scheme continued stronger than ever 
    Returning for its second year, the 2025 Step Up internship hosted five bright individuals, three more than in the preceding year. Following in-person placements and attendance at the Travel Media Awards 2025, the interns have entered the scheme’s final stage, where they’re receiving a six-month mentorship from an industry professional. Applications for the 2026 Step Up initiative are now open. For more information, click here. 

20. Living360 launched its first-ever event 
    Hosted online in June, Living360 introduced its first virtual event series with Debunking Summer Skincare. Led by Mattie Lacey-Davidson, editor of Living360, the panel featured Dr Raj Arora, GP and founder of The Facebible clinic, and Katie Onyejekwe, aesthetician and skin educator. Read more here.   

21. APL Media introduces the first partner articles with The Independent 
    In September, the inaugural partner articles with The Independent were published on the latter’s official website. Produced by APL Media’s lifestyle branch Living360, the features focused on a range of topics, from travel tech to security devices and this year’s UK Premier League champions. Read more here.  

22. Editorial Director spotlight on Maria Pieri 
    It’s no easy feat to lead APL Media’s expansive catalogue of titles, events and partners. This year, Maria Pieri, editorial director, was recognised for her tireless achievements in the world of travel with the Outstanding Contribution to Travel Media Award at the 2025 TravYule Baubles, as well as Editorial Director of the Year at the prestigious BSME Awards. Congratulations Maria!  

23. Living360 created a record number of Christmas guides  
    In 2025, APL Media’s Living360 team produced and published a benchmark surpassing amount of Christmas guides with The Guardian, The Telegraph and the London Standard. Each featured original editorial-led Christmas lifestyle content, spotlighting fresh festive ideas, standout seasonal experiences and holiday inspiration. Read more here.     

24. Explore the best of winter sports door-by-door 
    Articles featured in the annual Winter Sports supplement, published with National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s Jan/Feb 2025 issue, were turned into a digital advent calendar this year with a daily posting on National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s Instagram Stories in the lead up to Christmas Eve. With interactive features and immersive videos, the campaign reached a record high of interactions across December. Follow National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s Instagram to open the remaining doors.  

25. APL Media hosted seasonal socials 
    Scattered in between the company’s busy schedule, the APL Media team didn’t miss a beat celebrating seasonal occasions with relaxed socials, including summer picnics, a spooky office Halloween costume competition, Easter egg hunt, in-house Bake Off and treacherous Christmas pub quiz.  

About APL Media  
APL Media is a multi-award-winning content marketing agency and publisher, producing high-quality print, digital and live media across the travel and lifestyle sectors. Since 1997, it has published National Geographic Traveller (UK) under licence from National Geographic Partners LLC, supported by brand extensions including guides, events and digital platforms. The portfolio also features Living360, a digital lifestyle brand covering wellness, travel, food, sustainability and culture, distributed via national media and its own platform. APL Media delivers custom content, branded campaigns, editorial consultancy and leading events such as the Travel Media Awards and Step Up. Its trade titles include Postcards and the ASTA Worldwide Destination Guide, with content also produced for national newspapers.  
aplmedia.co.uk