The Travel Media Awards Step Up internship is an incredible opportunity for young people to break into the travel media industry and get a head start on an exciting career in this thriving sector.

Created to open doors for people from all backgrounds, TMA Step Up champions underrepresented voices in the UK travel media industry. It especially encourages applications from ethnically diverse candidates, people with disabilities and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

What to expect from the TMA Step Up internship in 2026:

Jumpstart your career in travel media

TMA Step Up offers a rare chance to work directly with some of the most respected organisations in travel publishing, marketing and communications. You’ll gain real-world experience, build professional confidence and develop a clearer understanding of where your strengths lie.

The internship is paid at the London Living Wage, ensuring your time, work and talent are properly renumerated while you develop your skills.

Work with the UK’s top travel publishing and marketing brands

This year, successful applicants to the scheme will join two of the partner brands listed below for the eight-week summer programme.

Step Up interns will spend eight weeks working with two of the partner organisations listed below — four weeks at each placement. This structure offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience across both media & journalism and PR & marketing.

Our partners are leaders in the UK travel media industry and time spent with them will enhance your CV while giving you invaluable insight into the industry from those shaping it.

• APL Media — an award-winning content agency and the publishing house behind National Geographic Traveller (UK), Living360 and newspaper supplements for The Telegraph, The Independent and The London Standard.
• easyJet holidays — one of the UK’s fastest-growing tour operators, offering an inside look at travel products, marketing and communications.
• FINN Partners — a global PR and integrated marketing agency with a strong travel portfolio and a reputation for storytelling that shapes the industry.
• Intrepid Travel — one of the world’s largest certified B Corp adventure travel companies, giving insight into responsible tourism communications.
• Kuoni — a premium travel brand known for expertise, editorial partnerships and powerful consumer storytelling.
• Metro — one of the UK’s most-read newspapers with a fast-paced digital and print newsroom environment.
• TTG Media — an influential trade media brand offering a close-up look at the business side of travel.
• The Sun — Britain’s biggest-selling newspaper, providing real experience inside a major national newsroom.
• Virgin Atlantic — a global airline brand with high-profile communications, marketing and social media teams.

Mentorship from leading industry professionals

Your development doesn’t end when the eight-week internship does. All Step Up interns receive six months of ongoing mentoring from experienced travel media and PR professionals. These sessions are designed to support your next steps, help you identify your strengths and give you the guidance you need as you continue to build your career.

Attend press events and access networking opportunities

Now for the glamorous bit. Throughout your placements, you may have opportunities to attend press trips, launches, networking events, receptions and dinners. These experiences offer a glimpse into the dynamic world of travel journalism and PR — and the chance to start building valuable contacts.

VIP ticket to the Travel Media Awards 2026

The 12th annual Travel Media Awards will be held in October 2026. This glittering event will welcome hundreds of the top writers, editors, photographers and PR directors in UK travel media with a Champagne reception and an awards ceremony celebrating the finest work produced in 2026. This is the ultimate opportunity to mingle with travel and publishing industry experts working across consumer and trade sectors.

The deadline to submit your application is 23:59 on Monday 26 January 2026. Make the most of this exclusive opportunity to break into the travel media industry.

APPLY NOW!