Travel Media Awards
Events
The brief
APL Media and Travega collaborated to create an independent awards programme that addresses the need for recognising and celebrating outstanding achievements in travel media, including journalism, broadcasting and photography.
Established in 2015, the Travel Media Awards is an annual celebration of exceptional talent in travel media, complemented by an elegant champagne reception and a lively networking after-party in London. Each year, the event attracts over 350 guests and is hosted at iconic venues such as The Savoy (2023) and the Four Seasons Hotel London (2024).
Our approach
Founded in 2015 by APL Media and Travega, the Travel Media Awards has established itself as the premier awards event celebrating excellence in travel journalism, photography and broadcasting. It remains the only UK national awards dedicated exclusively to recognising editorial achievement across all forms of travel media.
The awards are open to all travel writers, broadcasters and photographers, and are not affiliated with any association or guild. Applications are free, ensuring accessibility for all participants. Submissions are evaluated by a panel of influential travel professionals and senior editors from the UK. No judge reviews the same category twice, and at least 25% of the judges are new to the awards each year.
The award categories span a broad range of disciplines and media, from trade and consumer publishing to online content, photography and broadcasting, ensuring every facet of travel storytelling is represented.
The Step Up Scheme, launched in 2023 by the Travel Media Awards in collaboration with various industry partners, aims to enhance diversity and inclusion within the travel sector by supporting underrepresented groups. This eight-week internship provides selected candidates with hands-on experience at one of 10 leading travel organisations, with ambitious plans to expand and welcome additional partners into the initiative.
Key figures
300+
Attendees in 2024
700+
Entries in 2024
24
Award Categories
60+
Judges
5,000+
Followers
1,700+
Email SubscribersOur results
The Travel Media Awards have become a renowned commendation of outstanding talent in the world of travel media since the first Awards ceremony in 2015. Throughout the years, it has celebrated a range of journalistic voices and actively uplifted the industry with the introduction of new initiatives such as the Step Up internship.
In 2024, Michael Palin CBE, renowned actor and travel documentary maker, was honoured with the Special Contribution Award. Previous recipients of this prestigious accolade include TTG Media’s Pippa Jacks, chef Rick Stein OBE, Lisa Minot from The Sun, Hilary Bradt of Bradt Travel Guides, and adventurer and author Levison Wood.
Looking ahead to 2025, the awards will feature an expanded range of 24 categories, including two exciting new additions: Cruise Travel Writer of the Year and Content Creator of the Year. This year’s ceremony promises to be a highlight of the travel media calendar, taking place at the Pan Pacific London hotel in October.
Book your tickets here.
“My favourite networking event of the year is the Travel Media Awards. It’s the one event where leading editors of nearly all national media and trade titles — along with some of the most high-profile digital influencers, photographers and broadcasters — come together. It’s a celebration of travel media talent, with everyone in one room — fantastic networking and great fun, too!”
Rachel O’Reilly
Head of Communications, Kuoni – Judge and category sponsor at a previous Travel Media Awards
