The winners of the hotly contested TravMedia Awards 2023 were announced tonight at a sold-out gala dinner at The Londoner, Leicester Square, with Ed Grenby named Travel Writer of the Year, on a night that saw big wins for Telegraph Travel, National Geographic Traveller (UK), TTG Media and others.
Hosted by comedian and travel writer Dom Joly, with VisitMalta the headline sponsor, the Awards drew a crowd of 300 media, influencers, PR professionals and industry executives. Grenby triumphed after winning the Freelance Writer of the Year category, and then got the judges' nod for the top prize over other individual category winners.
Telegraph Travel secured National Newspaper Section of the Year, while National Geographic Traveller (UK) won Travel Magazine. TTG Media secured Trade Publication, while Consumer Magazine Travel Section was won for the second year running by Good Housekeeping.
Chris Leadbetter of The Telegraph secured Consumer Staff Writer; Jamie Lafferty won Specialist Writer; Mike MacEacheran landed Sustainability Writer, while Trade Staff Writer went to James Chapple, TTG's News Editor. Ben Clatworthy won Exclusive of the Year for his story in The Times on airports ending their ban on passengers taking liquids onto flights. Media Rising Star was won by freelancer Doug Loynes.
Broadcast Programme was won by Sam Supple for his BBC Travel show 'How Does a Blind Girl Go on Safari'. The award was collected by the show's star, visually impaired influencer Lucy Edwards. The Outstanding Contribution Award went to Debbie Hindle, Chief Executive of FOUR Communications Travel.
In the PR Awards, the PR Professional of the Year went for the second year running to Paul Charles, CEO of The PC Agency. LOTUS triumphed as Agency of the Year, with FINN Partners awarded Highly Commended. FINN employee Stefaniia Konovalova landed Rising Star.
TUI UK & Ireland won In-House PR Team, Visit England secured Digital PR Campaign for their Accessible North York Moors activity, and AM+A won PR Campaign for 'Kaunas2022 - European Capital of Culture'.
In the influencer categories Jessica Last and Charlie Wild of The Travel Project were named Influencers of the Year. Alex Hunter of Attaché won Vlogger while Jessie Moore of Pocket Wanderings won Blogger. Rising Star went to Tiktok phenomenon Will Anthony of Unseen Wonders.
Tolene van der Merwe, Director UK & Ireland of headline sponsor VisitMalta, addressed the event's audience with a presentation on this top island tourism destination.
Henry Hemming, Managing Director of TravMedia commented: “Congratulations to Ed Grenby and all our media, PR and influencer winners on a memorable night at The Londoner.
“This year's sold-out Awards hit new heights. From 700 entries we saw winners and finalists of the highest possible quality. We thank our judges and sponsors for the part they played in bringing everything to fruition.”
The Awards are organised by TravMedia, the leading social network connecting the global travel industry with media and influencers. The Awards honour the finest journalistic, influencer and PR achievements in travel, and set a new bar for recognising each sector's top professionals and most memorable output.
The Awards are independent, not linked to any grouping or association, and are open to all journalists, influencers, and PR professionals. An expert panel of 34 judges (listed below) from across the travel industry adjudicated, including senior media figures, communications heads and commentators, and top industry executives.
The TravMedia Awards 2023 sponsors were VisitMalta (Headline Sponsor and Trade Publication of the Year); Expedia Group (Exclusive of the Year); Explore France (Event Photobooth); Gran Canaria Tourism (Travel Magazine of the Year); Heaven Publicity (Blogger of the Year); Hong Kong Tourism Board (Welcome Drinks Reception); Hyatt Hotels Corporation (Consumer Staff Writer of the Year); Kuoni (Outstanding Contribution Award); Meet Boston (Specialist Travel Writer of the Year); Princess Cruises (Consumer Magazine Travel Section of the Year); Spanish Tourist Office (Trade Staff Writer of the Year); Switzerland Tourism (Freelance Writer of the Year); Tourism Australia (Sustainability Writer of the Year); Tourism Western Australia (National Newspaper Supplement of the Year); Travel Texas (Broadcast Programme of the Year), True Traveller Insurance (Media Rising Star of the Year); Villa Resorts (Event Prize Sponsor); Visit San Antonio (Travel Writer of the Year) and World Nomads Insurance (Influencer Rising Star of the Year).
