On 5 October, AITO, The Specialist Travel Association, announced Dan Stables and Lorna Parkes among the winners in this year’s Travel Writer of the Year (TWOTY) Awards at an intimate evening ceremony hosted by Six Park Place in London.  

Dan, a long-time contributor to National Geographic Traveller (UK), won AITO Travel Writer of the Year for his feature ‘From kasbahs to couscous – how Sicily has celebrated its diversity through the centuries’, published in the November 2025 issue of the magazine.  

The judges commented: “This is travel writing at its best. By diving into Sicily’s kasbahs, diaspora towns, music scenes and fusion kitchens, the author brings the island’s complex history to life through incredible storytelling.”   

Lorna Parkes, executive editor at National Geographic Traveller (UK), received the Commended accolade in the same category for her piece ‘In Raja Ampat, new coral conservation voyages give a unique perspective on the reefs.’ 

Encompassing eight categories, the awards recognise exceptional features by travel journalists in both trade and consumer media. The category celebrates excellence in consumer travel journalism through outstanding storytelling, originality and destination insight. 

Founded in 1976 and celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, AITO is the UK’s leading travel specialist travel association. It represents over 100 of the UK’s best independent tour operators who collectively provide an unrivalled range of holidays to every corner of the world.  

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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