Winners will be revealed at the Awards Gala Dinner at The Londoner, Leicester Square on 18 April | Awards set high bar for the finest journalistic, influencer and PR achievements in travel.

TravMedia UK today announced the finalists for the TravMedia Awards 2023 in an industry broadcast, ahead of the announcement of the winners at the gala dinner at The Londoner, Leicester Square on Tuesday 18 April 2023.

The Awards (www.travmediaawards.com) honour the finest journalistic, influencer and PR achievements in travel, and set a new bar for recognising each sub-sector's top professionals and most memorable output. Highlights include Travel Writer of the Year, Influencer of the Year and PR Professional of the Year.

The finalist shortlists reveal a high proportion of new names fighting for the ultimate honours on Awards night. Up to seven finalists were announced in 22 categories.

Among the most hotly contested Awards were Freelance Writer of the Year and Specialist Writer of the Year, with each category eliciting over 80 entries and plenty of new journalists achieving finalist status.

The 'blue-ribband' category of National Newspaper Travel Section of the Year (sponsored by Tourism Western Australia) sees a shortlist of Daily Mail; The i; The Financial Times; The Independent; The Sunday Times, and The Telegraph.

The powerful Consumer Staff Writer category (sponsored by Hyatt Hotels Corporation) has produced finalists of Amanda Hyde (The Telegraph); Cathy Adams (The Times), Chris Leadbeater (The Telegraph); Mark Palmer (Daily Mail); Tom Robbins (Financial Times) and Uwern Jong (Out There Magazine).

In the PR categories, the shortlist for PR Professional of the Year reads Amy Skelding (FINN Partners); Julia Perowne (Perowne International); Paul Charles (The PC Agency); Rachel O'Reilly (Kuoni); Rosie Barcroft (Heaven Publicity) and Rosie Shephard (Shephard Communications).

Amongst sizeable entries across the Awards' four influencer categories, the shortlist for Influencer of the Year reads Abigail King (InsideTravelLab); Jessica Last (The Travel Project); Macca Sherifi (An Adventurous World); Nicola Easterby (Polkadot Passport) and Sian Lewis (The Girl Outdoors).

This year's TravMedia Awards sponsors include Expedia Group (Exclusive of the Year); Gran Canaria Tourism (Travel Magazine of the Year); Hyatt Hotels Corporation (Consumer Staff Writer of the Year); Princess Cruises (Consumer Magazine Travel Section of the Year); Switzerland Tourism (Freelance Writer of the Year); Tourism Western Australia (National Newspaper Travel Section); True Traveller Insurance (Media Rising Star of the Year); World Nomads Travel Insurance (Influencer Rising Star of the Year); Visit San Antonio (Travel Writer of the Year); Hong Kong Tourism Board (Welcome Drinks Reception); and Explore France (Photobooth). A few categories still remain available in the run up to the big night.

On Awards night, a celebrity host will drive the show and sponsors' tables will host category finalists. The evening's big reveals will segue within a three-course dinner, following a welcome drinks networking reception sponsored by Hong Kong Tourism, and the night will climax with an after-party. Entry to the Awards event will be limited to finalists, sponsors, and limited ticket holders. Some table bookings remain available.

Last year's event at The Londoner attracted a packed audience of over 250 people with broadcaster Sue Perkins our celebrity host.

Henry Hemming, Managing Director of TravMedia commented: “The entry for this year's Awards was phenomenal with over 700 unique entries. New top names have entered the fray and we've seen lots of new finalists. The shortlists in every category are exceptional, the talent extraordinary. We thank our judges who had the unenviable task of having to choose who makes it through to Awards night!”

The Awards are organised by TravMedia, the leading social network connecting the global travel industry with media and influencers.

The Awards are independent, not linked to any grouping or association, and are open to all journalists, influencers, and PR professionals. The Awards are adjudicated by an expert panel of 34 judges (listed below) from across the travel industry, including senior media figures, communications heads and commentators, and top industry executives.

Ends

The TravMedia Awards – Finalists

THE MEDIA CATEGORIES

MEDIA RISING STAR OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by TRUE TRAVELLER INSURANCE

• Bella Falk
• Douglas Loynes
• Grace Lee
• James March
• Rashmi Narayan

BROADCAST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR

• Expedition Borderlands, Ash Bhardwaj, discovery+ (TV)
• How Does a Blind Girl Go on a Safari, Sam Supple, BBC (TV)
• Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast, Simon Calder (Podcast)
• The Climate Question, Mark Stratton, BBC (Podcast)
• The Wanderer, Alex Outhwaite, Amazon Prime (TV)
• Wander Woman: A Travel Podcast, Phoebe Smith (Podcast)

CONSUMER MAGAZINE TRAVEL SECTION OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by PRINCESS CRUISES

• Attitude Magazine
• Country Life
• Good Housekeeping
• Prima
• Radio Times
• The Lady

EXCLUSIVE OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by EXPEDIA GROUP

• 100ml Limit on Liquids Set to End, Ben Clatworthy, The Times
• Airline Complaints, Trevor Baker, Which? Travel
• Islandia: Let's Buy an Island Starts a Micronation, Richard Collett, CNN Travel
• Liz Truss Private Jet, Simon Calder, The Independent
• New Peljesac Bridge, Tristan Rutherford, The Times
• The Amalfi Coast Traffic Ban, Julia Buckley, CNN Travel
• US Cuban Passport Stamp, Sophie Lam, The i

TRADE STAFF WRITER OF THE YEAR

• April Hutchinson, Editor - TTG Luxury
• Bev Fearis, Editor - Business Travel Magazine
• James Chapple, News Editor - TTG Media
• Jessica Pook, Deputy Editor - Selling Travel
• Sophie Griffiths, Editor - TTG Media
• Tom Parry, Deputy News Editor - TTG Media

SUSTAINABILITY WRITER OF THE YEAR

• Helen Coffey
• Jo Rhodes
• Juliet Kinsman
• Mike MacEacheran
• Phoebe Taplin
• Richard Hammond

TRAVEL MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by GRAN CANARIA TOURISM

• Charitable Traveller Magazine
• JRNY Travel Magazine
• National Geographic Traveller (UK)
• Rough Guides
• SUITCASE Magazine

SPECIALIST TRAVEL WRITER OF THE YEAR

• Chris Leadbeater
• Emma Gregg
• Jamie Lafferty
• Mike MacEacheran
• Nigel Tisdall
• Phoebe Smith
• Robin McKelvie

TRADE PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR

• Business Travel Magazine
• Cruise Adviser
• Hertelier
• Selling Travel
• TTG Media

CONSUMER STAFF WRITER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by HYATT HOTELS CORPORATION

• Amanda Hyde, Senior Staff Writer – The Telegraph
• Cathy Adams, Senior Content Editor – The Times
• Chris Leadbeater, Travel Correspondent – The Telegraph
• Mark Palmer, Travel Editor – Daily Mail
• Tom Robbins, Travel Editor – The Financial Times
• Uwern Jong, Experientialist-in-Chief – Out There Magazine

FREELANCE WRITER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by SWITZERLAND TOURISM

• Adrian Phillips
• Ed Grenby
• Emma Thomson
• James Draven
• Jamie Lafferty
• Julia Buckley
• Phoebe Smith

NATIONAL NEWSPAPER TRAVEL SECTION OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA

• Daily Mail
• The i
• The Financial Times
• The Independent
• The Sunday Times
• The Telegraph

TRAVEL WRITER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by VISIT SAN ANTONIO

Winner revealed on Awards Night, selected from winners in journalism categories.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Winner revealed on Awards Night.

THE INFLUENCER CATEGORIES

INFLUENCER RISING STAR OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by WORLD NOMADS TRAVEL INSURANCE

• Ashley Hall, Ashley's Footprints
• Bea Meitiner, Bea Adventurous
• Jackie Rezk, Jou Jou Travels
• Michelle Attard, Coconut Odyssey
• William Anthony, Unseen Wonders

BLOGGER OF THE YEAR

• Andrew Sim & Emily Gough, Along Dusty Roads
• Chloe Gunning, Wanderlust Chloe
• Cory & Greg Varga, You Could Travel
• Jessie Moore, Pocket Wanderings
• Paul Healy & Mark Barnes, Anywhere We Roam

VLOGGER OF THE YEAR

• Alex Hunter, Attaché
• Alex Outhwaite, Alex Outhwaite
• Brogan Tate, Brogantatexo
• David & Alicia Reilly, Life of Reilly
• Macca Sherifi, An Adventurous World
• Malini & Sonny (Malini Angelica)

INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR

• Abigail King, InsideTravelLab
• Jessica Last and Charlie Wild, The Travel Project
• Macca Sherifi, An Adventurous World
• Nicola Easterby, Polkadot Passport
• Sian Lewis, The Girl Outdoors

THE PR CATEGORIES

PR RISING STAR OF THE YEAR

• Bethany Dimond, FINN Partners
• Callum McGoldrick, The PC Agency
• Chloe Hernandez, Rooster PR
• Peter Gregory, Rooster PR
• Stefaniia Konovalova, FINN Partners

DIGITAL PR CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR

• FINN Partners - Pretty as a Picture – VisitMalta UK
• G Adventures - Roamies Launch Campaign
• Lemongrass Marketing - The Most Walkable Cities in Europe – Motel One
• LOTUS - #SlowTravelSpain – Spanish Tourist Office
• VisitEngland - Accessible North York Moors

PR CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR

• AM+A - Kaunas2022 – European Capital of Culture
• Black Tomato - Black Tomato and Agatha Christie
• Shephard Communications - The Queen's Platinum Jubilee – Buckingham Palace/DCMS
• South Australian Tourism Commission - £10 Flights to Adelaide - Working Holiday Maker Visa Campaign
• Skyscanner - Spontaneity

IN-HOUSE PR TEAM OF THE YEAR

• ABTA
• BCP Tourism/BCP Council
• TUI UK & Ireland
• Universal Destinations & Experiences
• VisitEngland
• VisitScotland

PR AGENCY OF THE YEAR

• FINN Partners
• Four Communications
• Frog & Wolf PR
• Hume Whitehead
• J/PR
• LOTUS

PR PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

• Amy Skelding, Senior Partner - FINN Partners
• Julia Perowne, Founder & CEO - Perowne International
• Paul Charles, CEO & Founder - The PC Agency
• Rachel O'Reilly, Director of Communications – Kuoni
• Rosie Barcroft, Senior Account Director - Heaven Publicity
• Rosie Shephard, Founder & CEO – Shephard Communications

THE TRAVMEDIA AWARDS JUDGES

• Amanda HillsBalfour | President, MMGY Hills Balfour
• Andrew McConnell | Head of Media, UK Civil Aviation Authority
• Andy Harmer | Managing Director, CLIA UK & Ireland
• Barry Neild | Global Editor, CNN Travel
• Caitlin Johnson | Acting Head of PR, Social and Influencer Marketing at VisitBritain
• Debbie Flynn | Managing Partner, Global Travel Practice Leader, FINN Partners
• Esther Bell | Owner, HELLOMrsBell PR & Communications
• Florian Valmy-Devillers | Business Development Director of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation Chapter UK & Europe
• Graeme Buck | Director of Communications, ABTA – The Travel Association
• James Treacy | Senior PR & Communications Manager, Abercrombie & Kent
• Jane Dunford | Travel Editor, The Guardian
• Jim Odoire | Founding Director, Black Diamond
• Jules Ugo | CEO, LOTUS
• Kate Nicholls OBE | CEO of UKHospitality
• Kat Thomas | Founder and Global Executive Creative Director of One Green Bean
• Lisa Minot | Head of Travel, The Sun
• Liz Edwards | Head of Communications, TUI
• Marine Teste | Head of Public Relations, Atout France
• Mark Palmer | Travel Editor, Daily Mail
• Myriam Ziesack | Head of Media and Communications, Switzerland Tourism
• Natalie Allard | Director of Global Media Relations, Expedia Group Brands
• Nat Frogley | Co-Founder, Frog & Wolf PR
• Paul Charles | Founder and CEO, The PC Agency
• Phil Bloomfield | Head of Corporate Communications & PR, dnata Travel Group UK
• Pippa Jacks | Editorial Director, TTG Media
• Qin Xie | Freelance Journalist
• Rae White | Director, Rae White Communications
• Serena Guen | Founder, SUITCASE Magazine
• Sharon Ehrlich Bershadsky | Director, Israel Government Tourist Office
• Sofia Panayiotaki | CEO & Founder, PRM Global Group
• Stuart Fyfe |PR Manager (International UK/Northern Europe), Tourism Australia
• Tolene Van Der Merwe | Director: UK & Ireland, Malta Tourism Authority
• Tracey Poggio | UK Head Media and Marketing, Gibraltar Tourist Board and Chair, Association of National Tourist Offices and Representatives (ANTOR)
• Uwern Jong | Experientialist®-in-Chief and co-Founder OutThere magazine

Ends

For information on TravMedia Awards 2023:

Louise Napier

Regional Director, TravMedia

T: +44 (0)20 3440 8915

E: louise.napier@travmedia.com

EDITORS' NOTES

The TravMedia Awards are owned and operated by TravMedia UK, the company operating TravMedia.com in the UK and Ireland. TravMedia is a global social network connecting the travel industry with the media and connects PR professionals from over 3000 tourism and travel brands with over 25,000 journalists and influencers worldwide.

The technology used by TravMedia has become an essential tool for journalists and PR professionals in their day-to-day activities, as they connect and share information in their working lives.

TravMedia was originally created by a travel journalist seeking a better way to research and report travel news and is dedicated to creating thriving online communities of travel journalists and travel PR professionals.

The site operates across multiple global regions and has amassed over 50,000 journalist and PR members.

In the UK, TravMedia and Food4Media are part of the family of websites that also includes Homes4Media.com and Property4Media.com, sites that are owned and operated separately by News4Media Ltd.

TravMedia operates the worldwide event IMM (International Media Marketplace), a market-leading exhibition-style event connecting the travel industry with journalists and influencers.

The first-ever IMM was held in London in March 2013 and has since expanded to all corners of the earth, with annual events now taking place in countries including the USA, Australia, Germany, and France. IMM in the UK features two days of meetings, professional development sessions and breakout networking events. The next IMM in the UK will take place in London from 13-14 March 2023, with over 100 top travel and tourism brands already booked in to the event.