Join us as we seek out the storytellers, photographers and content creators who bring Africa’s extraordinary travel and tourism stories to life. ATW’s Media Awards recognise excellence in journalism, photography and videography across the continent, honouring those who inspire wanderlust, champion responsible tourism and showcase the authentic spirit of African destinations to global audiences.
Our world-class judging panel is made up of Ellie Rothnie (wildlife photographer, tour leader and Canon ambassador), Kojo Bentum-Williams (VoyagesAfriq), Barry Nield (CNN Travel), Divia Thani (Condé Nast Traveller) and Tom Hall (Lonely Planet) – who have the difficult task of evaluating the entries and selecting the very best of the best.
Ellie Rothnie
(wildlife photographer, tour leader and Canon Ambassador)
Internationally acclaimed photographer, travelling the world photographing all manner of animal species great and small with a particular passion for African wildlife.
Kojo Bentum-Williams
(VoyagesAfriq)
Founder and Publisher of Africa’s leading travel and tourism Publication, VoyagesAfriq.
Barry Nield
(CNN Travel)
Global Editor for CNN Travel, supervising all travel-related content across CNN’s digital products.
Divia Thani
(Condé Nast Traveller)
Global Editorial Director of Conde Nast traveller, overseeing eight editions of the titile around the world, including US, UK, Germany, Spain, India and China.
Tom Hall
(Lonely Planet)
Vice president at Lonely Planet and is a well-known and respected expert voice on travel and tourism.
The five categories and judging criteria are listed below. Please get your entries in before Friday, 16 January 2026.
Sustainability Feature Award
This award champions journalism that moves the sustainability needle; recognising stories that highlight regenerative tourism, community tourism, women-led initiatives, conservation, responsible practices and the African innovators reimagining the tourism industry’s relationship with people and planet.
- Deliver comprehensive analysis or investigative depth.
- Showcase pioneering solutions, meaningful sustainability efforts, or remarkable individuals/organisations.
- Motivate and inform audiences about responsible travel practices.
Criteria
- The submission must be a feature-length article, video, podcast, or blog post published or broadcast within the qualifying year.
- The content must focus on a sustainability issue or initiative within the African travel sector.
- The feature must provide in-depth analysis or investigative reporting on the chosen topic.
- It should highlight innovative solutions, inspiring individuals or organisations, or impactful sustainability practices.
- The feature should inspire and educate audiences about sustainability in travel and its importance in Africa.
- Judging will be based on quality of storytelling, research, creative presentation, and impact on audience.
- Entries provided must have appeared in print or online between 1 January and 31 December 2025.
- Deadline for entries is 16 January 2026.
Visual Tourism Award
This award honours visual artists who capture a destination’s spirit through their own distinctive perspective: photographers and creative artists whose exceptional work showcases Africa’s natural heritage, culture and character in extraordinary ways.
- Image or artwork must showcase elements of African tourism.
- Captions should be compelling and informative.
- Assessment focuses on the visual work’s excellence, artistic merit, innovation, and emotional impact.
Criteria
- The photo or artwork submission must have been taken within the qualifying year.
- The photo or artwork must depict a place, event, person, or aspect related to African tourism.
- Entrants can submit multiple photos and artworks, but each one must be accompanied by a unique, descriptive caption.
- Judging will be based on the photo or artwork’s quality, composition, originality, and its ability to capture the essence of the subject matter.
- The photo or artwork should evoke an emotional response and inspire travel or a greater understanding of African tourism.
- For photo submissions, all photos shall comply with the following requirements:
- Photos in JPEG format with high quality of compression (but not more than 5 MB).
- Photos are to be uploaded in their original size. The Participant must not scale the photo or otherwise change its resolution.
- ICC profile is to be embedded in the photo.
- Only images with a single exposure and in one (1) frame may be accepted.
- Only original camera images are allowed to participate in the Awards.
- Minimum adjustments of exposure and colour and cropping are allowed.
- Entries provided must have appeared in print or online between 1 January and 31 December 2025.
- Deadline for entries is 16 January 2026.
Tourism News Award
This award recognises serious journalistic mastery in Africa’s travel and tourism sector, honouring incisive, analytical reporting of developments, patterns, obstacles and innovations impacting the industry today.
- Content must focus on a significant development, event, or issue in African tourism.
- Demonstrates solid journalism ethics, including accuracy, fairness, and impartiality.
- Provides valuable insights and analysis on the reported event.
Criteria
- The submission must be a news article, video, podcast, or blog post published or broadcast within the qualifying year.
- The content must focus on a significant development, event, or issue in the African tourism industry.
- It must demonstrate solid journalism ethics, including accuracy, fairness, and impartiality.
- The news piece should provide valuable insights and analysis, helping readers or viewers understand the implications of the reported event.
- Judging will be based on the timeliness, relevance, depth of reporting, and impact on the tourism industry.
- Entries provided must have appeared in print or online between 1 January and 31 December 2025.
- Deadline for entries is 16 January 2026.
Destination Feature Award
This award celebrates rich, layered features that explore a destination’s natural wonders, cultural traditions and communities – inspiring people to travel with deeper intention and curiosity.
- Focuses on a specific African destination.
- Provides a comprehensive understanding of the destination.
- Captures the unique culture, history, natural beauty, or attractions of the destination.
Criteria
- The submission must be a feature-length article, video, podcast, or blog post published or broadcast within the qualifying year.
- The content must focus on a specific African destination.
- The feature should provide in-depth coverage, offering readers or viewers a comprehensive understanding of the destination.
- The entry should capture the unique culture, history, natural beauty, and/or attractions of the destination.
- Judging will be based on the depth of research, quality of storytelling, creative presentation, and its ability to inspire travel to the featured destination.
- Entries provided must have appeared in print or online between 1 January and 31 December 2025.
- Deadline for entries is 16 January 2026.
Young Talent Award
Are you the next big thing? This award spotlights the next generation of African travel storytellers – celebrating emerging writers, photojournalists and digital creators who are already shaping how the world sees the continent.
- The article, feature, photograph or video must be produced by a student or young professional under the age of 25.
- The work must focus on one aspect of African tourism, for example, a news story, destination feature, sustainability feature or visual celebration of African travel.
- Judging will be based on creativity, demonstration of new ideas or a new way of thinking, and quality of storytelling or visual inspiration.
Criteria
- The submission must be an article, feature, video, podcast, or blog post published or broadcast within the qualifying year.
- The content must focus on a significant development, event, or issue in the African tourism industry – or celebrate an African destination.
- It must demonstrate solid journalism ethics, including accuracy, fairness, and impartiality.
- Judging will be based on the creativity, relevance, depth of new ideas or new perspectives revealed in the piece.
- Entries provided must have appeared in print or online between 1 January and 31 December 2025.
- Deadline for entries is 16 January 2026.
