The British Guild of Travel Writers Annual Gala Awards Dinner 2026. Presented in Partnership with Explore Charleston & Discover South Carolina
4 November 2026: On Monday, 2nd November 2026, the British Guild of Travel Writers (BGTW) hosted its 66th Annual Gala Awards Dinner at the spectacular Underglobe at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. Presented in partnership with Explore Charleston and Discover South Carolina, with dinner partners Explore Louisiana and Visit San Antonio, the sold-out evening welcomed more than 250 guests to celebrate excellence across the travel media and global tourism industries.
Celebrating under the theme Around the Globe at the Underglobe, the evening brought together more than 100 BGTW members, leading editors, publishers, representatives from global destinations, PR professionals, tourism ministers and industry colleagues to celebrate the winners of the prestigious BGTW International Tourism Awards, Members’ Excellence Awards and the inaugural PR Recognition Awards.
The BGTW International Tourism Awards recognised exceptional tourism projects and experiences across the UK, Europe and wider world. Nominated by BGTW members following first-hand visits and subsequently voted on by the wider membership, the awards celebrated inspiring initiatives, from innovative attractions and community-led projects to lesser-known experiences making a meaningful contribution to tourism. Recognising the very best of global tourism, the awards shone a spotlight on destinations and projects helping to shape the future of travel.
Spanning 18 categories, the Members’ Excellence Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in travel writing, photography, blogging and broadcasting across print and digital platforms. The awards recognised creativity, originality and excellence in travel storytelling, from compelling destination features and evocative journeys to thought-provoking stories exploring sustainability and responsible tourism. The prestigious BGTW Travel Writer of the Year award was presented by Turismo Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy.
Making their debut in 2026, the BGTW PR Recognition Awards, supported by TravMedia, celebrated the invaluable contribution of travel PR professionals across agency, freelance and in-house roles. Nominated by BGTW members and voted on by the wider membership, the new awards recognised the professionalism, creativity and dedication of those working behind the scenes to support the travel media industry.
The evening also saw Special Recognition Awards presented to Mary Moore Mason, long-standing BGTW member, former Chair and founding Editor of Essential America, and to ANTOR and its Head of Secretariat, Alison Cryer MBE, marking the association’s 75th anniversary and its longstanding relationship with and support of the BGTW. Alicia Sheber, BGTW Sustainability Director, also announced the third edition of the BGTW Better World Symposium, a media-led conference covering sustainability, inclusivity and diversity in travel media. Tickets are now on sale for the event on 26 January 2027, hosted by Montcalm Mayfair.
Guests were transported around the world through spectacular immersive 270-degree video projections, bringing destinations to life across the Underglobe. Adding to the international atmosphere, Circus Flora, courtesy of Charleston’s Spoleto Festival USA, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2027, provided captivating ‘in-flight’ entertainment. An ‘onboard raffle’ also raised funds for international water charity Just a Drop.
BGTW Joint Chair Daniel James Clarke says: “Our annual awards are a wonderful celebration of the extraordinary talent, creativity and dedication across the travel media and tourism industries. From outstanding storytelling to inspiring tourism initiatives making a real difference around the world, this year’s winners demonstrate the power of travel to connect people, places and cultures.”
BGTW Joint Chair Renate Ruge adds, “The British Guild of Travel Writers Annual Gala Awards Dinner 2026 was a sparkling evening of international collaboration and professional friendship. As the world comes together for WTM, we are proud to start this important week in travel celebrating quality content in writing, photography, broadcasting and blogging as the organisation has for 66 years. This year, we’re also delighted to recognise the invaluable contribution of our travel PR colleagues through our new BGTW PR Recognition Awards. Congratulations to all our winners and finalists, thank you to our valued partners, our Board team and everyone who helped make this such a wonderful evening.”
International Tourism Awards Winners 2026 – presented by BGTW Better World Symposium
Best UK Tourism Project Winner Kynren – The Storied Lands in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Best Europe Tourism Project Winner – The Shackleton Experience in Athy, County Kildare
Best Wider World Tourism Project – Winner – Museum of the Bamoum Kings in Foumban, Cameroon
Members’ Excellence Awards Winners 2026
BGTW Travel Writer of the Year – Presented by Turismo Friuli Venezia Giulia Winner Jessica Vincent
BGTW Photographer of the Year – Presented by Visit Isle of Man Winner Jeremy Flint
BGTW Travel Broadcaster of the Year – Presented by Gran Canaria Winner Jonathan Thompson
BGTW Travel Blogger of the Year – Presented by Pure Michigan Winner Mark Bibby Jackson
Travel Feature of the Year – UK – Presented by Discover South Carolina. Winner Tristan Rutherford
Travel Feature of the Year – Europe – Presented by Region of Attica Winner Daniel Stables
Travel Feature of the Year – Wider World – Presented by Explore Charleston Winner Dom Tulett
Travel Feature of the Year – UK Regional Media – Presented in association with Strawberry Field Winner Bridget McGrouther
Travel Feature of the Year – Travel Trade Media – Presented by Explore Louisiana Winner Oliver Beckett
Specialist Travel Feature of the Year – Presented by St Kitts Tourism Authority Winner Tracey Croke
Journey Feature of the Year – Presented by Sri Lanka Tourism Bureau Winner Mike Unwin
Sustainability Feature of the Year – Presented by Visit Scotland Winner Stuart Kenny
Celebrating Diversity Through Storytelling – Presented by Visit San Antonio Winner Nel Scroggie
Travel Guide Book of the Year – Presented by Antor Winner David McElhinney
Travel Narrative Book of the Year – Presented by Sri Lanka Tourism Bureau Winner Daniel Stables
Travel Photo Feature of the Year – Presented by Viking Cruises Winner Karolina Wiercigroch
Travel Blog Post of the Year – Presented by Constantinou Bros Asimina Suites Hotel, Pafos Winner Stuart Kenny
Travel Broadcast of the Year – Presented by Sri Lanka Tourism Bureau Winner Nel Scroggie
BGTW PR Recognition Awards Winners 2026 in partnership with TravMedia
Agency/Freelance Travel PR Winner Ian Weightman, Ian Weightman PR
In-House Travel PR Winner Benoît Diéval, Pas-de-Calais Tourism
Additional award and destination partners: Antor, Constantinou Bros Asimina Suites Hotel – Cyprus, Gran Canaria, Pure Michigan, Attica, The Greater Athens Region, Greece, Sri Lanka Tourism Bureau, St Kitts Tourism Authority, Strawberry Field, Viking Cruises, Visit Isle of Man and Visit Scotland
Thank you to the BGTW Raffle prize donors: Aria Hotels, Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Montenegro, Hyatt Regency Lisbon, Pas-de-Calais Tourism, Wine & Books By The Sea, Algarve
For further information on the BGTW Annual Gala Awards Dinner, visit https://bgtw.org/gala/
About BGTW
Founded in 1960, the British Guild of Travel Writers is the UK’s leading organisation for top-tier travel media professionals. Its members include award-winning writers, photographers, bloggers and broadcasters who produce trusted, independent travel content for audiences around the world www.bgtw.org.
