(Posted 29th October 2025)
World-class judging panel announced as Africa Travel Week (ATW) seeks Africa’s top travel journalists, storytellers and content creators
Entries for the 2026 ATW Media Awards are now open, with
submissions sought from travel writers, bloggers, videographers, and photographers who
produce outstanding content related to the African continent.
Building on the success of previous years, the 2026 awards feature an exceptional judging
panel of global heavyweights, including Ellie Rothnie (wildlife photographer, tour leader and
Canon ambassador), Kojo Bentum-Williams (Founder and Publisher, VoyagesAfriq), Barry Nield
(Global Editor, CNN Travel), Divia Thani (Global Editorial Director, Condé Nast Traveller) and
Tom Hall (Vice President, Lonely Planet).
The 2026 awards cover five categories:
1. Sustainability Feature Award: Recognising stories that put the spotlight on
regenerative tourism, community tourism, women-led initiatives, conservation,
responsible practices and the African innovators protecting people and planet.
2. Visual Tourism Award: Honouring photographers and visual artists whose exceptional
work showcases Africa’s natural heritage, culture and character in extraordinary ways.
3. Tourism News Award: Celebrating incisive, analytical reporting of developments,
patterns, obstacles and innovations impacting the industry today.
4. Destination Feature Award: Rewarding rich, layered features that explore a
destination's natural wonders, cultural traditions and communities – inspiring people to
travel with deeper intention and curiosity.
5. Young Talent Award: Spotlighting emerging writers and creators under 25 who are
shaping how the world sees the continent.
The awards are open to all media practitioners at no cost, with entries accepted for content
published between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025.
Full submission criteria as well as submission and nomination forms available on our website:
The 2026 ATW Media Awards.
