Finalists Announced for the TravMedia Awards 2025

TravMedia Awards UK 2025

The finalists for the TravMedia Awards UK 2025 were announced in a special YouTube broadcast today, revealing which media, PR and content creators are headed to Awards night at The Londoner, Leicester Square on Monday 12 May.

The TravMedia Awards (https://travmedia.com/awards/) are now the leading global awards platform for the travel media, travel communicators and travel content creators, with ceremonies in 2025 in the UK, France, Asia and Australia.

The UK Awards (https://travmedia.com/awardsuk/) honour the finest journalistic, influencer and PR achievements in travel, and attracted another record response this year, with registrations up a staggering 20%.

Broadcast presenters Louise Napier, Managing Director of Travel UK and Henry Hemming, Global Adviser to TravMedia, announced finalists across 27 categories.

New categories this year include a Luxury Travel Writer of the Year category which garnered a huge response. This underlines TravMedia's commitment the sector, with the company having just launched a global luxury event, IMM Lux, taking place at The Venetian, Las Vegas (1-2 October 2025).

The most popular category of last year, Specialist Travel Writer of the Year, was split for 2025 into two categories: Specialist Travel Writer of the Year (Destination) and Specialist Travel Writer of the Year (Topic), which each garnered over 90 entries, meaning Freelance Travel Writer won out as most popular category for 2025 with over 100 entries.

Major highlights of Awards night include the revelation of the Travel Writer of the Year, Content Creator of the Year and PR Professional of the Year. Special Awards also include a Diversity Champion of the Year – for which the shortlist will soon be revealed – and an Outstanding Contribution Award.

Said Louise Napier, Managing Director of Travel UK: “We are thrilled for all the finalists, and offer deepest commiserations to anyone who just missed out. The quality of entries was simply out of this world – which feels appropriate!

“The record entry shows how far the TravMedia Awards have come and how respected they are. It's brilliant that there are also Awards ceremonies this year in other regions of the world – the Awards are going global!”

The reputation of the Awards also depends heavily on the judges appointed to review entries. This year's line-up of judges yet again comprises an array of talent from across the media, communications and the wider travel industry. As with all previous years, TravMedia has ensured lots of change, with 15 of the 38 selected judges not involved in the Awards in 2024, and with any returning judges handed fresh categories to adjudicate.

This year's TravMedia Awards category sponsors are Gran Canaria Tourism; Hyatt Hotels; MMGY; Princess Cruises; Switzerland Tourism; Rocky Mountaineer; Tourism Australia; True Traveller; VisitPITTSBURGH and Visit San Antonio. The drinks reception sponsor is once again Hong Kong, and the destination sponsor is Universal Destinations & Experiences.

On Awards night, a celebrity host will drive the show and sponsors' tables will host finalists from their chosen category. The evening's big reveals will segue within a three-course dinner, following a welcome drinks reception, and the night will climax with an after-party. Last year's event attracted a packed audience of 300 people with Rylan the celebrity host.

Added Napier: “A few sponsorship opportunities remain available for the big night. Last year all media categories sold out after the finalists announcement, and this looks set to happen again, so anyone interested should move quickly! Beyond that, sponsorship opportunities include the awards after-party, the photobooth, and sponsoring the celebrity host – whose name we will reveal in the coming days…!”

Alternatively, TravMedia has a limited number of tables and individual tickets available.

A full list of the finalists can be found here: https://travmedia.com/awardsuk/2025-finalists.html.

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 38 judges (listed below) from across the travel industry, including senior media figures, communications heads and commentators, and top industry executives.