We spoke to James Draven, who took home the Trade Writer of the Year and Trade Feature of the Year trophies at the 2020 Travel Media Awards. If you’d like to enter your work in these categories — or any of the other 21 categories — today is your last chance to do so.

Why is working in the travel trade media important to you?
I cover travel from many perspectives, writing features, news pieces, blogs, undertaking in-depth investigations, shooting photographs and occasionally presenting video for newspapers, websites, magazines and — of course — travel trade publications. As someone for whom travel is not just a career but a lifelong compulsion — whether that be hiking through the Himalayas or hot-footing it through my childhood council estate — every element of my work in travel is equally important to me. Writing for the travel trade media allows me to connect with readers who are similarly passionate about our planet and, in many cases, form the foundations upon which all of our careers are built.

What have been the biggest challenges of working in travel media over the past year for you?
2020 was obviously an unprecedentedly tough year for everyone whose livelihood is in any way connected to the travel industry. It’s been distressing to see travel publications and businesses shuttered, with brilliant editors and staff furloughed or worse. My sympathies also lie with tour operators, independent hoteliers, and small businesses for whom no bookings means no income at all. Those of us in the freelance media had to diversify, where we could, falling back on other specialisms. Over the past year, I’ve found myself mostly writing about Covid-19’s impact on travel, rather than travel itself, but right now I’d gladly cover anything from caravanning to Crufts.

What do you think are going to be the big talking points in travel in 2021/22?
Oh, for a crystal ball (or, better still, a DeLorean). If I knew a year ago what I know now, I would have made many different decisions myself. Staying in sunny, Covid-free Anguilla, when I was there back in mid-March 2020, rather than flying back to the UK for lockdown probably tops the list. Over the next year or two I worry that coronavirus mutations could continue to create red-listed destinations and prolong debate about both vaccine efficacy and the role of immunisation passports. I’m concerned about how all of this will impact life-blood tourism in developing countries, and the effect it will have on endangered species whose existence is valued in tourist dollars. When photographers stop shooting, poachers start. When the current travel restrictions are finally lifted, though, I think the public will be yearning for their dream holidays. I expect to see Brits booking once-in-a-lifetime trips and bucket-list experiences, Covid-19 having taught us all to seize the day.

What does it mean to you to win these awards?
To win twice, back-to-back on the night, was absolutely thrilling, naturally. It was a mixed blessing that the awards were online this year: it was a shame not to be able to celebrate with friends and colleagues in person, but at least it spared you all my paroxysmal, celebratory outburst when that second award was announced. This was my third year as a finalist, and it’s always been such an honour to be shortlisted alongside the cream of Britain’s travel media. To be recognised with awards in two categories for 2020 was beyond my expectations, especially given the talents and dedication of my fellow nominees. However, none of us is an island, and I owe huge thanks to TTG, Abra Dunsby-Sircana, Leah Whitfield, G Adventures, The PC Agency, Katie Moine, RwandAir and the Rwanda Development Board, among many others.

What do you think makes a really excellent travel trade story?
A travel trade article needs to impart greater behind-the-scenes insight and practical detail than a consumer feature while still providing an engaging story to inspire agents and, in turn, their clients. TTG’s format has a particularly strong emphasis on sharing genuinely helpful advice that can be passed on to prospective travellers, which makes me examine my travel experiences on a more granular level than one otherwise might. The people who work in the travel trade are readers like any other, though, so I try to apply the same emphasis on spinning a good yarn as I would for my consumer pieces. I tend to focus on characters, humour, the unusual and dramatic situations. So what if I have to be air-lifted off Mount Everest; if I get stranded in crocodile-infested waters without a paddle; if I wind up looking down the barrel of a cartel enforcer’s pistol; or I’m physically assaulted by a (very) wild mountain gorilla? It’s all good copy.

If you’d like to enter your work for this year’s Travel Media Awards, don’t delay — entry closes today. It’s straightforward and quick — visit the Travel Media Awards website to see a full list of categories and more information on how to enter.