APL Media’s assistant project editor, Kira Richards, has been selected for this year’s TTG 30 Under 30 scheme as part of the Tomorrow’s Travel Leaders initiative. Kira, who joined APL Media in September 2024 after taking part in its inaugural Travel Media Awards Step Up internship last summer, has been invited to join the 12th intake of the scheme launched by TTG Media, the industry’s oldest travel trade publisher. 

The Tomorrow’s Travel Leaders initiative — which this year attracted over 130 entries from across the sector — recognises the travel industry’s most promising young talent, those who’ve made outstanding contributions to their respective organisations. The recipients of the prestigious accolade were selected by a panel of judges drawn from TTG, Tui, the Institute of Travel & Tourism and alumni of the scheme. 

As part of the final 30, Kira will be invited to a series of networking dinners and events, with speakers drawn from the most senior levels within travel. 

Kira said: “I’m incredibly honoured and excited to be taking part in TTG’s 30 Under 30 scheme, which champions diversity, innovation and ambition in the travel industry. It has been great meeting the rest of the cohort and I look forward to gaining invaluable expertise from my peers and alumni over the next 12 months.” 

During her first full year working in travel media, Kira: 

• Oversaw paid content campaigns and produced multimedia features for National Geographic Traveller (UK) 
• Led Travel Media Awards Step Up marketing initiatives and supported operations for the next cohort of  interns with the support of APL’s editorial director, Maria Pieri, and head of events, Sabera Sattar. 
• Was named as finalist in the Media Rising Star of the Year category in the 2025 TravMedia Awards. 

Daniel Pearce, CEO at TTG Media, said: “We created our Tomorrow’s Travel Leaders initiative, 30 under 30, after recognising a lack of opportunities for younger stars in the sector to form a community of like-minded individuals, to raise their profile and to learn from current leaders of the industry. Now the scheme is in its 12th iteration, and we’re incredibly proud of the 30 Under 30 family and all its generations, and it’s exciting to meet this latest group, hear more about their personal stories and let them know what we have in store for them.” 

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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