The Travel Media Awards — celebrating the very best of travel media

The Travel Media Awards is widely recognised as the premier awards event in travel media, and the only UK national awards exclusively rewarding editorial excellence and achievement across all forms of travel media. Launched in 2015, it remains the only national awards dedicated solely to recognising editorial achievement across travel journalism, broadcasting and photography in print and online.

In 2025, the 11th annual awards featured an expanded range of 25 categories, including two new additions: Cruise Travel Writer of the Year and Content Creator of the Year.

The Special Contribution Award for 2025 was presented to journalist and broadcaster Simon Calder, who was honoured for his lengthy career as one of the UK’s most respected and influential travel journalists and his remarkable contribution to the industry.

Each category was judged by an expert panel of more than 70 travel professionals and senior editors, ensuring a rigorous and fair selection process. A minimum of 25% of the judges are new to the awards every year, with no judge reviewing the same category annually.

The 2025 event took place at the Pan Pacific London in Shoreditch on the 13 October, where over 300 people were present to honour the very best of the UK’s travel media.

New for 2025:

• Cruise Travel Writer of the Year – Recognising outstanding cruise industry reporting.
• Content Creator of the Year – Honouring bloggers, vloggers, and content producers.
• Broadcast Programme of the Year – Now split into Audio and Video subcategories.
• Trade Publication of the Year – Now a single award covering print and digital.

As always, entry was free, quick and open to all, whether experienced in the industry or new to it. Entrants were able to apply to as many of the 24 open categories as they wished, with a view to showcasing their work and gaining recognition from industry leaders and peers.

To view the full list of 2025 winners, click here

The 2026 Awards will be launched in Spring 2026.

Travel Media Awards was created by, and is owned and operated under, a joint venture agreement between Travega and APL Media Limited.

The Travel Media Awards advisory panel consists of leading travel businesses and specialist travel PR companies, and plays an important role in shaping the awards. The panel also provides invaluable knowledge and insight into the travel media sector, helping to ensure the awards remain a must-enter event for travel writers, broadcasters and photographers.

Emma Cashmore, Managing Director, Axis Travel Marketing

Emma Cashmore is the Founder and Managing Director of Axis Travel Marketing, one of London’s leading tourism marketing, PR and MICE agencies. Emma has more than 20 years’ experience working across a variety of clients from luxury high-end resorts to emerging destinations, resulting in extensive reach from PR and brand marketing campaigns.

Jonathan Sloan, EVP, International Strategy, MMGY Global

Jonathan is Managing Director of MMGY Europe and has over 25 years of marketing and PR experience in the travel, hotel and restaurant sectors. In his role, Jonathan connects companies and destinations in the travel and hospitality space with specific brands under the MMGY Global umbrella based on their specific channel marketing needs in Europe and the Middle East.

Jules Ugo, CEO, LOTUS

Jules is CEO of strategic communications and advisory consultancy LOTUS and is one of the founding members of the business.

Included in PR Week’s 2023 Power Book for the sixth year running, Jules is one of the most respected and well-known PR practitioners in the travel industry with almost 25 years in the field. She leads a 30-strong team focusing on delivering award-winning work and campaigns for international travel brands and implementing innovative nation-branding strategies.

Maria Pieri, Editorial Director, APL Media Limited

Maria Pieri is the Editorial Director for APL Media, a specialist travel and lifestyle content media provider, whose titles include the award-winning National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine, Postcards and a series of lifestyle newspaper supplements, apps and websites

Amy Skelding, Managing Partner, FINN Partners

Amy Skelding leads the UK Travel Practice at FINN Partners, one of the fastest-growing global, independent marketing and communications agencies in the world, with a values-driven culture that champions integrity, collaboration and innovation. FINN’s Travel Practice represents clients from across the travel and lifestyle sector including tourism boards, tour operators, airlines, hotel groups, luxury properties and more.

Lauren Khawam, Senior Communications Manager, easyJet Holidays 

Lauren Khawam leads the Communications function at easyJet holidays, one of the UK’s leading package holiday provider. Lauren oversees and manages the company’s public relations strategy and activities, and its internal communications programme.