The Travel Media Awards Step Up internship programme has officially commenced, with the 2026 cohort beginning placements across some of the UK’s leading travel media, publishing, PR and marketing organisations. 

Following a competitive application and interview process, five candidates have been selected to take part in this year’s programme, which was established to improve access to careers within travel media and support emerging talent from underrepresented backgrounds. More than 500 entries were received for the programme this year, marking a 29% increase on 2025 and highlighting growing demand for accessible pathways into the travel media and communications industries. 

Over the next eight weeks, the interns will complete two four-week placements with partner organisations, gaining practical experience across editorial, journalism, public relations, marketing and communications functions. 

• Ayşe Avan is interning at Food and Travel and Kuoni 

• Dharshinee Krishna Naidu is interning at The Sun and FINN Partners 

• Kavarna Spence is interning at TTG Media and Virgin Atlantic 

• Nasreen Gordon is interning at Intrepid Travel and Living360 

• Rutalee Buch is interning at APL Media and easyJet holidays 

The programme provides participants with hands-on experience working alongside established professionals on projects and campaigns. 

In addition to paid placements at London Living Wage, interns receive mentoring and professional development opportunities designed to support their progression within the industry. The programme also provides valuable exposure to a range of career paths across travel publishing, journalism, PR and marketing. 

Now in its fourth year, TMA Step Up continues to serve as an important industry initiative, helping to broaden representation within UK travel media while creating pathways for talented individuals to enter the sector. 

The programme has already helped launch the careers of previous participants, with former interns securing roles across journalism, PR, content and marketing following completion of their placements. 

The 2026 cohort will undertake placements throughout June and July, before joining the wider travel media community at the Travel Media Awards later this year. 

Subscribe to the TMA Step Up newsletter to keep up with the 2026 interns’ experiences and news of the 2027 TMA Step Up applications opening soon. 

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About APL Media   
APL Media is a multi-award-winning content marketing agency and publisher, creating 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 since 2010, alongside brand extensions including guides, events and digital platforms. Its portfolio includes Living360, a digital lifestyle brand spanning wellness, travel, food, sustainability and culture.    

APL Media delivers custom content, branded campaigns and editorial consultancy, internship schemes including Step Up and produces leading events such as the Travel Media Awards. It is also a leading reseller of advertising for national newspapers. Its trade titles include Postcards and the ASTA Worldwide Destination Guide, with content also created for national newspapers. aplmedia.co.uk