The Independent, Travel Weekly and travel writer, Ross Clarke were crowned winners at Antor’s fifth annual Travel Media Awards, as the association brought together the travel media and destinations in London during its landmark 75th anniversary year.
The Association of National Tourist Offices and Representatives (Antor) welcomed leading travel editors and journalists alongside destination representatives to the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington to celebrate the media making the biggest impact for its member destinations.
Three awards were presented, including a new Travel Trade Publication of the Year category, introduced for the first time in 2026 to recognise the important role of the travel trade media in supporting and promoting destinations. The 2026 winners were:
• The Independent was named Publication of the Year, with Philip Thomas, collecting the award.
• Travel Weekly made history as the first winner of Antor’s Travel Trade Publication of the Year, with Katie McGonagle, and Andrew McQuarrie, accepting the award.
• Ross Clarke was named Travel Writer of the Year.
The winners were selected by Antor members for producing some of the most impactful coverage of Antor destinations over the past 12 months.
The event was opened by José Manuel de Juan in his new role as Director of the Spanish Tourist Office UK and therefore Chair of Antor, following Spain’s re-election to the Chair in June. He was joined by Isabel Alonso, the Spanish Tourist Office UK’s new Deputy Director.
The awards have added significance this year as Antor celebrates its 75th anniversary, marking three quarters of a century of bringing together national tourist offices in the UK.
Destination hosts included the Czechia, France, Gibraltar, Korea, Montserrat, Samoa, Spain, St Helena, Sweden, Tunisia and Türkiye, giving media attending the event the opportunity to meet the tourist office representatives and hear the latest destination news.
The event was supported by Travel Uni, who sponsored the welcome drinks and Travel Trade Publication of the Year award.
José Manuel de Juan, Chair of Antor, said: “It is a great pleasure to begin my time in the UK as Chair of Antor during such a special year for the association. As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, these awards are a wonderful opportunity to recognise the journalists and publications whose work continues to inspire travel and shine a spotlight on destinations around the world.
“Congratulations to Ross Clarke, The Independent and Travel Weekly, as well as all this year’s nominees. The quality and breadth of travel journalism represented at the awards demonstrates just how important a strong and engaged travel media remains to destinations and the wider tourism industry.”
About ANTOR
ANTOR (The Association of National Tourist Offices and Representatives) is the principal
association of foreign tourist offices in the UK. Its members represent countries and
destinations across the globe, working collectively to promote tourism, share insights, and
support the travel trade: www.antor.com. In 2026 Antor celebrates its 75th anniversary.
About the Awards
The media and journalists have been nominated for the Antor’s 2026 Travel Media Awards by Antor members sponsoring this year’s event. Nominees have been selected in recognition of outstanding coverage that has made a positive impact for one or more ANTOR destination members. The full Antor membership are asked to vote to select the winners.
The 2026 winners:
Ross Clarke
• Nominated by Spain for his October 2025 National Geographic feature celebrating the female chefs of Asturias, showcasing the region’s people, gastronomy and culture.
The Independent
• Nominated by Sweden for extensive and varied Sweden coverage, from new cycling and rail journeys to sleeper trains, lakes and alternatives to traditional European walking routes.
Travel Weekly
• Nominated by Tunisia for the frequency and quality of its Tunisia coverage, including destination growth, touring, adventure, winter holidays and engagement with the UK travel trade.
• Nominated by Gibraltar for its continued coverage and support within the UK travel trade.
• Nominated by Türkiye for timely and responsible reporting during regional uncertainty, providing
• agents and travellers with clear information and reassurance about the continued normal operation of Türkiye’s principal tourism destinations.
Runners up:
• Travel writer of the year: 2nd Jointly Sean Thomas – The Spectator and Milo Boyd – Reach PLC and 3rd Jointly Mike Atkins – Times/Sunday Times
• Publication of the year: 2nd Times/Sunday Times and 3rd Wanderlust
• Travel trade publication of the year: 2nd TTG and 3rd Travel Gossip
The other nominees were:
Publication of the year:
• The i Paper
• Food and Travel
• National Geographic
• Financial Times
• Conde Nast Traveller
• Mountains Magazine
Travel writer of the year:
• Jane Knight – The Times
• Philip Thomas – The Independent
• Alex Mead – Freelance
• Paul Sullivan – Freelance
• Liam Freeman – Vogue
• Neil Geraghty – Freelance
Travel trade publication of the year:
• Breaking Travel News
