Travel Media Awards - Step Up
The Travel Media Awards operate the Step Up scheme, an internship programme driving diversity and inclusion in travel media for young people.
Research from Statista indicates that 12% of the UK journalism workforce belongs to a non-white ethnic group. As 18% of the UK population is non-white, this means there’s a notable lack of diversity and inclusion in the travel media industry. The Travel Media Awards, a joint venture between APL Media and Travega, wanted to address the imbalances young people from marginalised groups can face when getting started in the sector.
Recognising the importance of cultivating and uplifting people from different backgrounds, this one-month placement scheme aims to strengthen the industry by better reflecting the huge variety of talent within the UK.
Two candidates took up the opportunity of internships with four partner companies in 2024. In 2025, the second year of the scheme, an additional six leading travel organisations joined APL Media, FINN Partners, Intrepid Travel and TTG Media, with an application increase of over 260% compared to the year before.
Candidates from last year have continued to forge their portfolios and careers both as freelancers as well as with leading travel outlets, including National Geographic Traveller (UK) and TTG Media.
The Step Up programme is open to anyone aged 18-30 who can demonstrate a passion for travel media and identifies as coming from an underrepresented demographic.
”Step Up has equipped me with the skills to create a career in travel media. I’ve been creatively challenged but also supported, guided and inspired. It’s encouraged me to harness my voice, background and experiences in my work.
I hope that the scheme can continue to help early career travel media professionals flourish, and I’m thrilled at the prospect of working with APL in the future.”
- Kira Richards, 2024 Winner
