Held from 12-14 October, ABTA鈥檚 annual Travel Convention brought together hundreds of travel professionals, industry leaders and selected media representatives to explore the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. 

Beyond the discussions and networking, the event offered fresh perspectives on changing traveller behaviour, emerging destinations and the future of the industry. These insights help inform National Geographic Traveller (UK)鈥檚 editorial coverage, from the destinations explored to the stories featured. Here are Lorna鈥檚 key takeaways: 

• Value for money remains a priority. ABTA鈥檚 annual Holiday Habits report found that travellers are more cost-conscious than ever, while travel companies reported strong demand for destinations including Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia 鈥� largely because they represent great value for money.听

• The most visited countries were revealed. Spain topped the list among the Brits surveyed. France was hot on its heels, followed by Italy, the USA, Greece, Portugal, Germany, Australia, Canada, Japan, Turkey, Norway, Croatia, China and the UAE.听

• Gaining ground, but slowly. While Norway appeared in the top 15 destinations travellers are looking at for travel in the year ahead, conference panellists said cooler-climate countries are still attracting considerably less interest than traditional summer destinations do. Discussions suggested this may be starting to shift, particularly among adventure travellers.听听

• Middle East demand shows resilience. Despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East, bookings have reportedly recovered faster than initially anticipated. ABTA鈥檚 Consumer Confidence Index stood at +50 鈥� a three-point decrease since 2025 but still higher than in 2024, suggesting that overall confidence in travel remains relatively strong.听听

• Use of AI is increasing among travellers. Those using AI as a source of holiday inspiration was up 6% since last year, to 14% overall. It was used most by 25- to 34-year-olds (29%), then 35- to 44-year-olds (21%) and 18- to 24-year- olds (20%) but was used the least by those in the 65+ age group (4%).听听

• Traditional sources of travel inspiration still lead the way. Travel websites or guidebooks remain more popular than AI, cited by 36% respondents. Social media, holiday brochures, travel agents and tour operators also rank ahead of AI, while newspapers, magazines, blogs, podcasts, films and TV programmes continue to inspire holidaymakers.听

• Travellers still value the human touch. As technology continues to reshape the travel industry, conference speakers emphasised the enduring importance of personal interaction, particularly when it comes to planning and booking holidays.听

Find out more about ABTA via:  

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About 海角社区    
海角社区 is a multi-award-winning content marketing agency and publisher, creating high-quality print, digital and live media across the travel and lifestyle sectors since 1997. It has published National Geographic Traveller (UK) under licence from National Geographic Partners LLC since 2010, alongside brand extensions including guides, events and digital platforms. Its portfolio includes Living360, a digital lifestyle brand spanning wellness, travel, food, sustainability and culture.     

海角社区 delivers custom content, branded campaigns and editorial consultancy, internship schemes including Step Up and produces leading events such as the Travel Media Awards. It is also a leading reseller of advertising for national newspapers. Its trade titles include Postcards and the ASTA Worldwide Destination Guide, with content also created for national newspapers. aplmedia.co.uk

• Travel Photo Feature of the Year:听Karolina Wiercigroch 鈥� for听her , National Geographic Traveller (鲍碍)听

• Travel Writer of the Year: Jessica Vincent 鈥� for her portfolio of work for National Geographic Traveller (UK) and AFAR, including ‘鈥� published in National Geographic Traveller (鲍碍)听

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists.  

The BGTW is a UK-leading membership-only group made up of travel media professionals, including writers, broadcasters and photographers. Held annually, the BGTW Members鈥� Excellence awards recognise outstanding individual pieces of work and four portfolios of broadcasting, blogging, photography and writing. 

See the full list of winners here:  

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About 海角社区    
海角社区 is a multi-award-winning content marketing agency and publisher, creating high-quality print, digital and live media across the travel and lifestyle sectors since 1997. It has published National Geographic Traveller (UK) under licence from National Geographic Partners LLC since 2010, alongside brand extensions including guides, events and digital platforms. Its portfolio includes Living360, a digital lifestyle brand spanning wellness, travel, food, sustainability and culture.     

海角社区 delivers custom content, branded campaigns and editorial consultancy, internship schemes including Step Up and produces leading events such as the Travel Media Awards. It is also a leading reseller of advertising for national newspapers. Its trade titles include Postcards and the ASTA Worldwide Destination Guide, with content also created for national newspapers. aplmedia.co.uk 

National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s editor-at-large, Pat Riddell, was in attendance. Here are his seven key takeaways: 

1. Developing luxury destinations:  Luxury consumers seek experiences and authenticity. Alejandro Reynal, president and CEO of Four Seasons Hotels explained: “To establish a luxury destination, you don’t do it overnight. It’s going to take at least 10 to 15 years, from the point you start, to develop that destination. So having clarity of vision and consistency is important. For us, one requirement is this: people come to a location because they trust the brand, and they know the product experience will be there, and the service experience will be there too.” 

2. Agentic travel: To make full use of AI, businesses need to change to keep up. It may be easier to adopt AI in finance, HR or a call centre, but when it comes to travel, the complexity of the legacy systems is a challenge. There is likely to be around five billion digital wallet users by 2028 and to capture a totally seamless experience from discovery right through to check out, travel businesses need to be connected to digital wallets. 

3. Malta’s success as a tourism hub: WTTC research shows the travel and tourism sector in Malta accounts for a staggering 16.8% of its GDP. In fact, a record four million visitors arrived in Malta in 2025 and spent almost 鈧�4bn (拢3.4bn). Comparatively, across European countries, the sector contributed on average 3.6% of GDP. 

4. Wellness and longevity: With the global wellness tourism industry projected to reach almost $1.5 trillion (拢1.1 trillion) by 2029, longevity is the latest trend sweeping the industry. There are three main questions: why do people travel, which distinctive healthspan product are we ready to offer and how long will our relationship with guests last? Longevity travel doesn鈥檛 begin at check-in and doesn鈥檛 end at check-out. 

5. Seamless travel: An ecosystem joining airlines, airports, cruise companies, car hire and hotels could be the future of seamless travel. Technology isn鈥檛 the barrier but the fact the industry was working in different silos. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said “The traveller, on a journey end-to-end, crosses those silos horizontally. Imagine pushing a supermarket trolley across railway tracks. That’s how it feels to the average traveller now.” 

6. The future workforce: By 2035, 1.2 billion young people will reach working age, while only 400 million jobs are expected to be created 鈥� a crisis highlighted by the World Bank. The travel industry has to be an integral part of the response to that, otherwise the repercussions will be poverty, irregular migration and conflict. 
 

On the last day of the summit, the WTTC Youth Movement was launched to deepen the sector鈥檚 understanding of young people, as well as their priorities, expectations and aspirations 鈥� and to use those insights to help create the right jobs, opportunities and career pathways. 

This year, more than 1,000 delegates, 200 CEOs, 100 students and 60 ministers gathered in Malta, alongside a global media contingent, for three days of talks, debates and discussion. Bringing the summit to a close, former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau highlighted not only the economic importance of tourism but also its power to foster curiosity, empathy and greater understanding between cultures. As he observed: 鈥淭here’s a tendency right now for governments to encourage people to look inward, to become more insular and mistrustful of the rest of the world. That’s not a productive path, and the best counter to it is tourism.鈥� 
 

Find out more about the World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit at . 

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About 海角社区      
海角社区 is a multi-award-winning content marketing agency and publisher, creating high-quality print, digital and live media across the travel and lifestyle sectors since 1997. It鈥檚 published National Geographic Traveller (UK) under licence from National Geographic Partners LLC since 2010, alongside brand extensions including guides, events and digital platforms. Its portfolio includes Living360, a digital lifestyle brand spanning wellness, travel, food, sustainability and culture.       

海角社区 delivers custom content, branded campaigns and editorial consultancy, internship schemes including Step Up and produces leading events such as the Travel Media Awards. It鈥檚 also a leading reseller of advertising for national newspapers. Its trade titles include Postcards and the ASTA Worldwide Destination Guide, with content also created for national newspapers. aplmedia.co.uk   

The takeaways were: 

1. The influence of gen alpha:

Gen alpha (those born between 2010 and 2024) are already influencing where people go on holiday, according to Carla Buzasi, CEO of trend forecasting company WGSN. 鈥淪even in 10 parents say the holidays and travel experiences they book are influenced by their children,鈥� Carla said, adding that the internet and social media has changed young people鈥檚 relationship with luxury by making it more accessible: 鈥淪tatistically, from a very early age they get access to products they deem luxurious.鈥� Her advice for travel companies was to consider gen alpha in their marketing strategies. Parents are looking for trips that expose their children to a variety of cultures and experiences, so incorporate the whole family into the itinerary.听

2. Understanding ultra-high-net-worth individuals:

Access rather than excess was a theme throughout several of the sessions that focused on understanding the modern luxury traveller. Edward Hooper, group CEO of LQA Group, explained that what ultra-high-net-worth individuals want is value. 鈥淭hey can pay for anything, but they want to feel it’s worth it,鈥� he commented. Personal connections and less formal service are also becoming more important. What鈥檚 more, flexibility is increasingly essential. Kate Thompson, senior vice president of marketing at Abercrombie & Kent, said that cruise guests are often booking four years in advance, reflecting a scarcity of product and experience, and Francesca Swan, chief strategy officer at VistaJet, added 鈥渇or hard-to-come-by experiences they鈥檒l still book in advance, but for nipping to a villa for a weekend they want to retain flexibility.鈥澨�

3. Opportunities in AI:

Although AI is driving 70% of hotel recommendations, luxury travellers still want independent validation from editors, tastemakers and travel agents. They still see AI and LLMs as a filtering tool not an oracle, says Abigail Malbon, global audience development manager at Cond茅 Nast Traveler. 鈥淚f they want something very specific, say the best safari lodge in South Africa, it filters down to two or three and then they do further research. AI streamlines the research phase, but luxury is still built on trust and taste.鈥� AI is still underexposed in the travel sector and opportunities remain, particularly in storytelling rather than homogenised content, said Tilly Gray, PR & AI director at Mason Rose. “Only 16% of the world鈥檚 hotels are currently visible in AI models, so 84% are invisible. The early starters who embrace the change, not fear it, will benefit.”听听

4. Defining luxury:

Lucy Cleland, co-founder and editorial director of Country & Town House, used six words: time, rarity, feeling, personal, human and responsibility. Paul Croughton, editor-in-chief of Elite Traveler, simplified it even further: 鈥淓ase: reducing every pain point of luxury travel and making the whole experience seamless… And delight. If you can buy anything, do anything, go anywhere, it鈥檚 really hard to be surprised.鈥澨�

Claire Irvin, head of travel at The Times and The Sunday Times, said that older readers are paying for multigenerational travel and want to share their experiences with family. 鈥淭he ultimate luxury is to experience all this and share it with the people you love most,鈥� she commented.听听

5. Luxury yachting:

Within the buoyant superyacht industry, clients are increasingly seeking experience and personalisation as well as privacy and freedom. Tom Batchelor, vice president, deployment, product and port operations at Scenic Cruises, said guests want to be welcomed personally, for the crew to know them by name, and they want the voyage to feel personal to them. 鈥淭hey also want cultural experiences. They鈥檙e well travelled and have been to the main tourist points, so they want something different.鈥澨�

On the subject of owning yachts, Rita Luskovic, charter broker at Fraser Yachts London, said that today鈥檚 yachts are 鈥渇loating palaces鈥�, and that鈥檚 a big part of why clients stay on board for longer periods. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e on your own little private island. Probably 80% of charter time is spent on the yacht. Clients love visiting other destinations, but the yacht becomes a destination, too,鈥� she said.  

Find out more about TravMedia’s IMM Lux here:   

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About 海角社区      
海角社区 is a multi-award-winning content marketing agency and publisher, creating high-quality print, digital and live media across the travel and lifestyle sectors since 1997. It鈥檚 published National Geographic Traveller (UK) under licence from National Geographic Partners LLC since 2010, alongside brand extensions including guides, events and digital platforms. Its portfolio includes Living360, a digital lifestyle brand spanning wellness, travel, food, sustainability and culture.       

海角社区 delivers custom content, branded campaigns and editorial consultancy, internship schemes including Step Up and produces leading events such as the Travel Media Awards. It鈥檚 also a leading reseller of advertising for national newspapers. Its trade titles include Postcards and the ASTA Worldwide Destination Guide, with content also created for national newspapers. aplmedia.co.uk   

Attending on behalf of National Geographic Traveller (UK), deputy head of branded content, Jessica Prupas, joined tourism professionals from across the US, UK and Europe to explore the challenges and opportunities facing American tourism. 

With the theme ‘Building Tomorrow’s Demand’, the event brought together more than 350 US brands and 300 buyers and media representatives to discuss how destinations can attract visitors and strengthen transatlantic relationships. 

Here are Jessica鈥檚 key takeaways: 

• Visitor numbers are under pressure. Travel to the US has declined significantly, with some estimates suggesting a drop of up to 50% in certain markets. A slowdown in Canadian travel, alongside weaker demand from the UK and Europe, is contributing to the downturn.听

• US destinations are rolling out the welcome mat. With competition for international visitors intensifying, American destinations are working harder to remain visible, promote their attractions and reassure potential travellers.听

• Cost remains a sticking point. High prices are proving a barrier for budget-conscious Europeans, while new UK rules requiring greater price transparency during booking present another challenge.听

• Air connectivity is expanding. New direct routes between Europe and the US are creating opportunities for travellers to explore destinations beyond the traditional gateways.听

• Road trips remain a major attraction. They鈥檙e the most researched US travel experience among European visitors, who are also increasingly keen to explore multiple states or cities in a single trip.听

• Visitors are spending big. While fewer Europeans may be travelling to the US, those who do are spending an average of $4,277 (拢3,176) per person.听

• The 30-45 age group offers opportunities. Travellers in this demographic are among the most receptive to the idea of visiting the US.听

• AI and social media are reshaping travel planning. More travellers are turning to AI for itinerary inspiration, although the results can lack local insight. Meanwhile, Instagram and TikTok creators are increasingly influencing travel decisions, with audiences seeking to recreate specific trips they鈥檝e seen online.听

Find out more on the Brand USA Travel Week website:  

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About 海角社区     
海角社区 is a multi-award-winning content marketing agency and publisher, creating high-quality print, digital and live media across the travel and lifestyle sectors since 1997. It has published National Geographic Traveller (UK) under licence from National Geographic Partners LLC since 2010, alongside brand extensions including guides, events and digital platforms. Its portfolio includes Living360, a digital lifestyle brand spanning wellness, travel, food, sustainability and culture.      

海角社区 delivers custom content, branded campaigns and editorial consultancy, internship schemes including Step Up and produces leading events such as the Travel Media Awards. It鈥檚 also a leading reseller of advertising for national newspapers. Its trade titles include Postcards and the ASTA Worldwide Destination Guide, with content also created for national newspapers. aplmedia.co.uk 

Discover: 

• Where to go for an autumnal leaf-peeping road trip. These driving routes give visitors the chance to take in the season鈥檚 spectacular colours 鈥� and to discover idyllic rural towns, panoramic viewpoints and scenic hiking trails along the way. Read .听

• Where to find Europe’s last great dark sky destinations. From the Canaries to the Scottish Borders, Europe is dotted with remote landscapes where exceptionally dark skies make stargazing an unforgettable part of the journey. Read .听

• 9 film museums every cinema-lover should visit. Find out more about the props, practical effects and artistry behind some of cinema鈥檚 most imaginative worlds. Read .听

• How to follow Hanoi鈥檚 breakfast trail for a feast before sunrise. At 4am, while most of Hanoi sleeps, its breakfast trade is already in motion. Tours with a local chef reveal where Vietnam鈥檚 culinary capital eats first. Read .听

Each month, the digital team curates a newsletter containing highlights from National Geographic Traveller (UK)鈥檚 online-exclusive content.    

Don鈥檛 miss out 鈥� subscribe now: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/y/3B21D3AB209313BF

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About 海角社区 
海角社区 is a multi-award-winning content marketing agency and publisher, creating high-quality print, digital and live media across the travel and lifestyle sectors since 1997. It has published National Geographic Traveller (UK) under licence from National Geographic Partners LLC since 2010, alongside brand extensions including guides, events and digital platforms. Its portfolio includes Living360, a digital lifestyle brand spanning wellness, travel, food, sustainability and culture.  

海角社区 delivers custom content, branded campaigns and editorial consultancy, internship schemes including Step Up and produces leading events such as the Travel Media Awards. It is also a leading reseller of advertising for national newspapers. Its trade titles include Postcards and the ASTA Worldwide Destination Guide, with content also created for national newspapers. aplmedia.co.uk 

Taking place on Tuesday 26 January 2027, the event will offer practical insider advice on crafting attention-grabbing introductions, identifying the details that bring a story to life and pitching successfully to editors. 

Led by senior members of the National Geographic Traveller (UK) editorial team alongside industry experts, the series will feature three 50-minute sessions combining expert insights, real-world examples and practical guidance to help participants take their travel writing to the next level. 

Glen Mutel, managing editor at National Geographic Traveller (UK) said: 鈥淭alent, passion and commitment 鈥� all these things are undoubtedly important. But sometimes a bit of well-timed guidance can be just as crucial. Our new UK Masterclasses tackle three important aspects of travel writing that even seasoned professionals sometimes struggle with 鈥� making a start, deciding what鈥檚 interesting, and getting yourself out there. On these key issues, a little bit of direction can really go a long way.鈥� 

The series takes place online on Tuesday 26 January, from 6pm-9pm (GMT). 

Session 1:鈥� The art of the intro 鈥� How to make a strong start 

For writing to really land, it has to grab the reader鈥檚 attention. But how? In this opening session, a panel of experienced editors explores what makes a compelling introduction, sharing practical advice and real-world examples on how to hook readers from the very first line and keep them engaged throughout. 

Session 2: It鈥檚 all in the detail 鈥� What to include 

Knowing what to include 鈥� and what to leave out 鈥� is one of the most important skills in travel writing. This session explores how to identify the details that make a story compelling, from capturing colourful characters and memorable quotes to recognising revealing moments and creating a vivid sense of place. Attendees will learn how to turn their travel experiences into engaging, well-crafted narratives. 

Session 3: Pitching & networking 鈥� How to make a name for yourself鈥� 

Great writing deserves an audience. But how can aspiring travel writers get their work noticed 鈥� and published? In this session, industry experts share practical advice on making a name for yourself, from crafting successful pitches and building valuable industry connections to using social media to raise your profile and reach new audiences. 

Key information鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Tuesday 26 January 2027鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
6pm-9pm (GMT) 
Online 
鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Tickets start from 拢45, with discounted student tickets available, starting at 拢35.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
For more information and to book, visit:  

Notes 

National Geographic Traveller (UK) is published under licence by 海角社区, from National Geographic Partners LLC in Washington, DC. The travel and lifestyle magazine launched in December 2010 and is packed with you-are-there photography, authentic travel experiences and inspiring narratives. nationalgeographic.com/travel 

For more information about National Geographic, visit , ,鈥�,鈥�,鈥�,鈥�,鈥�痑苍诲鈥�. 

Contact details: 

For editorial enquiries:鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
+44 (0) 20 7253 9906鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
editorial@natgeotraveller.co.uk 

Glen Mutel, managing editor鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
+44 (0) 20 7253 9909鈥� 鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
glen.mutel@natgeotraveller.co.uk 

Maria Pieri, editorial director & chief operating officer鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
+44 (0) 20 7253 9906鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
maria.pieri@natgeotraveller.co.uk 

Matthew Jackson, chief executive officer鈥� 鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
+44 (0) 20 7253 9909鈥� 鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
matthew.jackson@natgeotraveller.co.uk鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Anthony Leyens, chairman and co-founder鈥� 鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
+44 (0) 20 7253 9909鈥� 鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
anthony.leyens@natgeotraveller.co.uk 

The event saw StarTalk co-hosts Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice take to the stage for a special evening, welcoming 2,000 audience members. The show formed part of a wider four-day programme in Portugal, that included science, media, culture and live entertainment. 

Alongside the live show, the programme included the launch and signing of Neil deGrasse Tyson鈥檚 new book, 鈥楲ost in Space鈥� at Livraria Bertrand Chiado, the world鈥檚 oldest operating bookshop. There was also a symposium with the Portuguese Space Agency and the official opening of the European Rocketry Challenge. 

海角社区’s CEO, Matthew Jackson, and Head of Campaigns, William Allen, played key roles in producing the event and were in attendance in Lisbon. 

Reflecting on the event, William said: 鈥淏ringing StarTalk Live! to Portugal was about creating something bigger than a single event. It brought together science, culture, media and live entertainment under one roof. 

鈥淲ith Visit Portugal as our main partner, we showcased the country throughout the StarTalk experience. Seeing audiences engage so enthusiastically was hugely rewarding and I’m incredibly proud of what the team delivered together.鈥� 

The event was produced by 海角社区 in collaboration with Curved Light Productions, in partnership with Turismo de Portugal (Visit Portugal) and the Portuguese Space Agency. 

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About 海角社区  
海角社区 is a multi-award-winning content marketing agency and publisher, creating high-quality print, digital and live media across the travel and lifestyle sectors since 1997. It has published National Geographic Traveller (UK) under licence from National Geographic Partners LLC since 2010, alongside brand extensions including guides, events and digital platforms. Its portfolio includes Living360, a digital lifestyle brand spanning wellness, travel, food, sustainability and culture.   

海角社区 delivers custom content, branded campaigns and editorial consultancy, internship schemes including Step Up and produces leading events such as the Travel Media Awards. It is also a leading reseller of advertising for national newspapers. Its trade titles include Postcards and the ASTA Worldwide Destination Guide, with content also created for national newspapers. aplmedia.co.uk 

The ceremony was co-hosted by broadcaster Dr Ranj Singh and 海角社区 Editorial Director and COO Maria Pieri. Hundreds of submissions were received this year across 24 categories, recognising achievement across print, digital, broadcasting and photography. A new category 鈥� Specialist Travel Writer of the Year (UK & Ireland) 鈥� was introduced for 2026, reflecting the breadth and diversity of UK travel writing. 

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Special Contribution Award to broadcaster, journalist and presenter Anita Rani, honoured for a career that has consistently brought the world to audiences with originality, warmth and a genuine sense of adventure. Following in the footsteps of Michael Palin, Simon Calder, Pippa Jacks, Tony Wheeler and Ade Adepitan, Rani is one of the most distinctive voices in British broadcasting. 

Anita Rani said: 鈥淭ravel broadens your horizons, opens your mind and humbles you. Seeing the world from different perspectives, breathtaking landscapes, bustling cities, tasting new flavours, meeting people of other cultures and hearing stories, you see that there鈥檚 so much to learn and enjoy and how humanity is the same wherever you go. I鈥檓 incredibly privileged to have travelled as much as I have and I have no intention to stop. Where are we off to next?鈥� 

Anthony Leyens, Chairman & Co-Founder of 海角社区, said: 

鈥淕reat travel storytelling has the power to inspire, bring destinations to life, challenge perceptions and connect people with the world around them. This year鈥檚 winners represent the very best of our industry, demonstrating exceptional creativity, passion and dedication to their craft. 

 鈥淢y warmest congratulations go to all our winners, whose outstanding achievements deserve to be celebrated. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to our judges, sponsors and partners for their invaluable support in making these awards such a success. Together, we are not only celebrating excellence in travel media today, but also investing in the future of our industry by nurturing emerging talent through our Travel Media Awards Step Up initiative.鈥� 

The evening also celebrated the interns who have taken part in this year鈥檚 TMA Step Up internship scheme, which aims to improve inclusivity and diversity in the industry. Now in its fourth year, the scheme offers work experience, mentorship and networking for young people from underrepresented backgrounds.  

For more information, visit  

Travel Media Awards 2026 in association with Aspire Pre-Flight Hospitality. 
Consumer Media Sponsor: easyJet holidays 
 
Sponsored by Audley Travel, Battersea Power Station, Cliffe Enterprise, Holafly, Ikos, Intrepid Travel, Mail Metro Media, Marella Cruises, Nova Scotia, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Sky Media, Switzerland Tourism, The Independent, TUI, Visit Jersey and Workbooks 
 
Awards reception sponsor: The Telegraph 
Afterparty sponsor: Visit Cyprus 
Venue partner: The Savoy 

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Travel Media Awards 
Travel Media Awards is owned and operated under by 海角社区. Launched in 2015, the Travel Media Awards (in a joint venture agreement between Travega and 海角社区) 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.鈥� For more information, visit the  

For more information: 
info@travelmediaawards.com 
travelmediaawards.com 

Juliette McCrimmon 
Head of Events 
juliette.mccrimmon@aplmedia.co.uk 

Travel Media Awards Step Up is an internship programme run by the Travel Media Awards 鈥� in partnership with 海角社区, Finn Partners, Intrepid Travel, TTG Media, easyJet holidays, Kuoni, Food and Travel, Living360, The Sun, Virgin Atlantic 鈥� that aims to drive diversity and inclusion in travel media for young people.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

For all enquiries regarding the Travel Media Awards Step Up scheme, please contact: 

• Maria Pieri, editorial director and COO: maria.pieri@aplmedia.co.uk听

• General enquiries: stepup@travelmediaawards.com听

海角社区 
An award-winning publisher and content marketing agency founded in 1997, 海角社区 has been changing the narrative, and the way clients communicate with their audiences, for almost 30 years. 海角社区 publishes the award-winning National Geographic Traveller (UK) and The Collection by National Geographic Traveller (UK) and organises related events under the National Geographic brand umbrella. 海角社区 produces print, digital and live media across the travel and lifestyle sector and is the founder and organiser of the Travel Media Awards. 

In the latest instalment of Meet the Team Mondays, 海角社区 shines a light on its sub-editing team 鈥� the often-invisible experts responsible for refining copy, checking facts and maintaining editorial standards across the company’s diverse portfolio. 

Working across National Geographic Traveller (UK), Living360, the Travel Media Awards, TMA Step Up and more, the team brings its expertise to everything from magazine features and digital articles to social media posts and marketing campaigns. 

But there’s more to the team than a love of good grammar. From former Lonely Planet editors to jazz musicians and dangling modifier enthusiasts, meet the seven people keeping 海角社区’s copy in check. 

Olivia McLearon, chief sub-editor 

Olivia is chief-sub editor across all 海角社区 titles. She鈥檚 worked at the company for nearly five years and, along with the rest of her team, sub-edits everything 海角社区 produces. She also manages the team. Olivia has worked on various titles in the past, including British Airways鈥� High Life, Mandarin Oriental, Tatler, Tesco and Top of the Pops. 

Hannah Doherty, senior sub-editor 

Hannah first joined 海角社区 in 2015 and has worked across its full range of print and digital titles, including spending four years as head of the sub-editing team. She鈥檚 now a senior sub-editor alongside Victoria. She鈥檚 previously held roles at the BBC, Immediate Media and the Australian Associated Press and will always welcome a conversation on dangling modifiers. 

Victoria Smith, senior sub-editor 

Victoria started her career 20 years ago at a local magazine, making tea, answering the phone and annoying people until they agreed to let her to write something. Now working as a senior sub-editor, she works across all APL’s publications, as well as on events and social copy, and marketing materials.听听

Ben Murray, sub-editor

Ben has worked at APL for nearly 10 years. His role involves checking the copy produced within APL 鈥� whether that鈥檚 for the magazines, websites or social media accounts 鈥� to ensure it鈥檚 factually correct and free of typos. He鈥檚 previously sub-edited for Virgin Media and Haymarket Publishing.听

Chris Horton, sub-editor 

Chris Horton is a publishing professional with an extensive background in print and digital media. He has worked across a variety of titles, including The Sunday Times. In addition to being an accomplished jazz player, Chris has been shortlisted for two national awards for his writing. 

Lucy Coward, sub-editor 

Lucy originally joined as a sub-editor to cover Hannah鈥檚 maternity leave but recently became a permanent member of the team. Her role involves editing, fact-checking and proofreading travel and lifestyle content for APL鈥檚 many publications and platforms. Lucy is passionate about making sure all copy is cohesive, coherent and adheres to house style.  

Rory Goulding, sub-editor 

Rory鈥檚 background mainly covers travel media, having previously worked at Lonely Planet for over 11 years and freelanced on The Times鈥� travel desk. He鈥檚 had a fascination with maps since long before he realised it was possible to do a job involving them. 

More faces behind the brands 

Meet the Team Mondays continues to introduce the people and personalities behind 海角社区’s publications, projects and campaigns. 

Interested in joining us? Explore current opportunities at aplmedia.co.uk/careers. 

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About 海角社区   
海角社区 is a multi-award-winning content marketing agency and publisher, creating high-quality print, digital and live media across the travel and lifestyle sectors since 1997. It has published National Geographic Traveller (UK) under licence from National Geographic Partners LLC since 2010, alongside brand extensions including guides, events and digital platforms. Its portfolio includes Living360, a digital lifestyle brand spanning wellness, travel, food, sustainability and culture.    

海角社区 delivers custom content, branded campaigns and editorial consultancy, internship schemes including Step Up and produces leading events such as the Travel Media Awards. It鈥檚 also a leading reseller of advertising for national newspapers. Its trade titles include Postcards and the ASTA Worldwide Destination Guide, with content also created for national newspapers. aplmedia.co.uk 

Bringing together expertise from across its travel and lifestyle portfolio, the team will be at WTM to strengthen industry relationships and explore opportunities for collaboration in 2027 and beyond. 

Leading the 12-strong commercial delegation are Anthony Leyens, Matt Midworth, Danny Pegg and William Allen. They’ll be joined by a 20-strong editorial team, including Maria Pieri, Glen Mutel, Amanda Canning, Sophy Moyes, Berkok Y眉ksel, Flora Neighbour and Charlotte Wigram-Evans, alongside colleagues from across the business. 

海角社区鈥檚 portfolio includes National Geographic Traveller (UK), Living360, Travel Media Awards and TMA Step Up, alongside commercial opportunities across The Independent, The Telegraph, The Guardian, The London Standard, The i Paper and standard.co.uk. Its wider offering spans digital content, branded campaigns, specialist travel publications and bespoke publishing projects, including the ASTA Worldwide Destination Guide. 

With expertise spanning editorial storytelling, content marketing and cross-platform campaigns, 海角社区 will be looking to connect with destinations, tourism boards, travel brands and industry partners seeking new ways to engage audiences. 

As one of the travel industry鈥檚 leading events, WTM London brings together professionals from around the world to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration and explore the trends shaping the future of travel. 

This year’s programme will spotlight developments in travel technology, changing consumer behaviours and emerging industry trends, with discussions covering everything from AI and storytelling to passion-led tourism and the evolving definition of luxury. 

Attending WTM London 2026? To discuss commercial opportunities for 2027, book a meeting with the 海角社区 sales team at sales@aplmedia.co.uk. 

Find out more about WTM London at .

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About 海角社区   
海角社区 is a multi-award-winning content marketing agency and publisher, creating high-quality print, digital and live media across the travel and lifestyle sectors since 1997. It has published National Geographic Traveller (UK) under licence from National Geographic Partners LLC since 2010, alongside brand extensions including guides, events and digital platforms. Its portfolio includes Living360, a digital lifestyle brand spanning wellness, travel, food, sustainability and culture.    

海角社区 delivers custom content, branded campaigns and editorial consultancy, internship schemes including Step Up and produces leading events such as the Travel Media Awards. It鈥檚 also a leading reseller of advertising for national newspapers. Its trade titles include Postcards and the ASTA Worldwide Destination Guide, with content also created for national newspapers. aplmedia.co.uk 

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Management Accountant is responsible for maintaining an accurate general ledger within the finance system (currently Sage 200) and supporting a robust month-end close process. The role plays a key part in ensuring high-quality financial reporting, strong financial controls and reliable data across the business. 
The role also supports ongoing finance process and systems improvements, working closely with the CFO and Financial Controller to enhance reporting, efficiency and control. In addition, the Management Accountant will provide financial insight to support decision-making and help develop junior team members within the finance function. 

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