Richard Quest Leads Off the Debate at The TravMedia Summit UK 2026

Renowned travel broadcaster Richard Quest led off the debate at a pulsating TravMedia Summit 2026, which drew top speakers from across the sector.

Quest, CNN International's News Anchor, gave the Summit keynote, and was followed by travel editors, award-winning freelancers, leading content creators, a travel entrepreneur and an AI guru.

The Summit, themed as “Travel's Brave New World: The Revolution Reshaping Media and Communications” covered the first half-day of IMM, running at the QEII Centre, London from 9-10 March. Over 300 industry media, content creators and communications professionals were present.

New-York based Quest gave his thoughts on everything from the impact of the conflict in the Middle East through to the future of the press release, in a session introduced by TravMedia CEO and Founder, Nick Wayland.

The Summit then turned to the travel editors, in a panel debate that considered their changing roles and priorities, the impact of AI and of economic pressures, and their relationships with freelancers and PR professionals. Guesting were Ben Ross, Head of Travel, The Telegraph; Lisa Minot, Head of Travel, The Sun; Barry Neild, Global Editor, CNN Travel, and Sarah Allard, Digital Director, Condé Nast Traveller UK, in a session moderated by Henry Hemming, TravMedia's Global Adviser.

Next up was the panel session 'What I Look for in a Travel Story?', featuring the first four winners of 'Travel Writer of the Year' in the TravMedia Awards, who revealed all the secrets of their story inspirations. The line-up read Ed Grenby, Freelance Travel Writer; Greg Dickinson, Senior Travel Writer, the Telegraph; Madeleine Barber, Head of Partner Content, TTG Media, and Tom Robbins, Travel Editor, FT.

The Summit then welcomed superstar travel entrepreneur Wendy Wu, owner and CEO of Wendy Wu Tours, in conversation with Henry Hemming, Global Adviser, TravMedia. Her session, branded 'How to Wu the Travel Media', saw Wu at her passionate best, telling the audience all the secrets of her company's media relations story to date, and giving heartfelt advice on the best paths to follow.

Next up came the content creators in 'Highly Influential… Meet the Stars of Travel Content', a panel debate focused on why the creator economy is booming and how creators are reshaping travel marketing and storytelling in their work for brands. The session brought together Bonnie Rakhit (@bonnierakhit); Dominique Mills (@DominiquesTravelsss), and Nicky Kelvin (Senior Director of Content, The Points Guy), and was expertly moderated by TV presenter, journalist and content creator Carmen Roberts.

The Summit concluded with a no-holds barred presentation on the impact of AI on the comms sector from Jonny Bentwood, Global President of Data & Analytics at Golin. His  session, entitled 'AI & The Reputation Economy', saw Bentwood advising brands and agencies on strategies to maximize visibility on Gen AI platforms, with a warning that brands simply didn't have the choice of not engaging with Gen AI  - given its massive, ever-growing, impact on consumers' travel decision making.

Said TravMedia CEO and Founder Nick Wayland: “The year's UK Summit produced some truly granular advice on dealing with the professional opportunities and challenges our community faces.  We welcomed an all-star list of speakers today from across the editorial divide, and their vigorous debates were clearly appreciated by the Summit audience.”

Louise Napier, IMM UK Event Director, added: “This was a riveting Summit  - the speakers had the QEII audience fired up! I believe we delivered a conference that was as educational as it was inspired, and as entertaining as it was thought-provoking.”

Now in its 14th year in the UK, IMM is established as the must-attend annual event for travel and tourism brands to make media connections, nurture established relationships, and catch up with industry friends. IMM and the Summit also create an unrivalled space for PR professionals, travel brands, destinations and leading media to network.

Ends

IMM Media Contact:

Lucy Peoples

Senior Media Relations Executive, TravMedia UK

T: +44 7498 467050

E: lucy.peoples@travmedia.com

IMM Event and Sponsorship Enquiries:

Andy Price

Regional Director, TravMedia UK

T: +44 07908 517693

E: andy.price@travmedia.com

About TravMedia

TravMedia is the travel industry's only global media network. Founded in 1999 by Nick Wayland, a former travel editor seeking an easier way to research and report travel news, TravMedia is the one-stop solution trusted by travel PR Professionals and media to network and share press releases, stories, and ideas. The platform hosts thriving online communities and is an essential daily tool for collaborating and developing long-lasting relationships.

TravMedia provides global travel newsfeeds and connects more than 25,000 travel media and more than 20,000 travel brand PRs worldwide via an online newsroom, press release distribution, events, Journalist Alerts, and daily industry updates. To learn more and register for TravMedia, visit www.travmedia.com.

About IMM

TravMedia's IMM is the leading travel industry event for travel brands and destinations to connect with the media. In its 14th year in 2026, IMM hosts more than 2,500 media and international travel brands annually in six countries worldwide. International Media Marketplace events in 2026 include IMM North America in New York City on January 21-22; IMM Australia in Sydney on February 26-27; IMM U.K. in London on March 9-10; IMM Germany in Berlin on March 2; IMM France in Paris on March 11; IMM Brazil in Sao Paulo on April 13; and IMM Asia in Singapore October 19-20.

For more information and registration for IMM 2026 events, visit www.travmedia.com/imm or email imm@travmedia.com.