London, 20 May 2026: AITO - The Specialist Travel Association currently representing over 100 of the UK's most trusted independent specialist travel tour operators, is today opening entries for the 2026 Travel Writer of the Year (TWOTY) Awards.  

Entries are invited for work published between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, with a closing date for submissions of 17 July 2026, within eight key categories.  

This year's TWOTY Awards recognise excellence in travel writing across specialist themes, trade and consumer publications as well as outstanding feature writing connected to AITO members. The judges are seeking entries that demonstrate originality, strong storytelling and high-quality journalism that informs and inspires readers. 

The winners will be announced at AITO Meets the Media & TWOTY, taking place on 5 October 2026. The event brings together travel writers, media and AITO members for a flagship industry gathering and this year will feature a number of new award categories. The event will also include scheduled speed-dating appointments between media representatives and AITO members, followed by dinner and the highly anticipated award ceremony 

Martyn Sumners, Executive Director, AITO, says: “In AITO's 50th year, The TWOTY Awards provide an important opportunity to refresh and evolve the awards. This year's updated category structure has been designed to better reflect the diversity of specialist travel and the strength of storytelling across both trade and consumer media, while continuing to celebrate the very best in travel writing.” 

2026 AWARD CATEGORIES 

For 2026, the TWOTY Awards have been refreshed to introduce a clearer focus on specialist travel themes and outstanding feature writing across the industry. 

1. AITO Specialist Feature of the Year – Culture, Arts & Culinary Travel (new for 2026) 

This award recognises exceptional travel features exploring the worlds of culture, heritage, the arts and gastronomy. Celebrating immersive and insightful storytelling, it rewards writers who bring destinations to life through their people, traditions, creativity and cuisine. 

2. AITO Specialist Feature of the Year – Adventure & Active Travel (new for 2026) 

This category celebrates outstanding writing focused on adventure and active travel experiences. From epic expeditions to immersive outdoor pursuits, it rewards features that capture the spirit of exploration, challenge and discovery through engaging and evocative storytelling. 

3. AITO Specialist Feature of the Year – Responsible Travel & Conservation (new for 2026) 

This award honours exceptional journalism that highlights sustainability, conservation and the positive impact of responsible travel. It recognises thoughtful, well-researched features that explore the relationship between tourism, communities, wildlife and the environment. 

4. AITO Specialist Feature of the Year – Touring (new for 2026) 

This award celebrates excellence in travel features centred around journeys and touring experiences. Whether by rail, road, river or overland adventure, it rewards compelling storytelling that captures the richness, diversity and sense of discovery found through travel across multiple destinations. 

5. AITO Rising Star of the Year (new for 2026) 

This new award celebrates emerging talent in travel journalism, recognising fresh voices, original storytelling and the promise of an exciting future career in the industry. It honours writers whose work demonstrates creativity, confidence and a distinctive perspective on travel. This award is for those making a significant impact within their first one to three years of freelancing or content creation. 

6. AITO Travel Writer of the Year – Trade Publications (refined category for 2026) 

Recognising excellence in travel industry journalism, this award celebrates writers producing authoritative, insightful and engaging content for the travel trade. It honours those whose reporting, analysis and expertise help inform and shape the travel sector. 

7. AITO Travel Writer of the Year – Consumer Publications (refined category for 2026) 

A flagship accolade recognising excellence in consumer travel journalism, this award celebrates outstanding storytelling, originality and destination insight. Past winners include some of the most respected travel journalists in the industry, making it one of the most prestigious and hotly contested categories. 

8. Outstanding Feature of the Year of an AITO Member 2026 (new for 2026) 

This award recognises an exceptional travel feature showcasing the expertise, creativity or specialist knowledge of an AITO member. Celebrating high-quality journalism and compelling storytelling, it highlights the important role AITO members play in creating extraordinary travel experiences. 

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR WORK 

Entries are open to travel editors, journalists and freelance writers who have published content in UK publications.  

AITO Travel Writer of the Year Awards 2026 – Entry details: 

• Entries must have been published between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026  

• A maximum of two articles per entrant may be submitted  

• Entries are open to travel editors, journalists and freelance writers who have published content in UK publications. 

• Each submission must be entered into one relevant category  

• Submissions must be provided in Word format only (no PDFs, images or website link)  

• Only editorially published work will be accepted (no advertorials or promotional copy)  

• There is no strict word count, however, as a guide, most submissions are typically between 800 and 2,500 words 

• Full submission details and entry platform: https://form.jotform.com/261243425750856  

Deadline for submissions: 6pm on 17 July 2026 

For events and information visit: www.aito.com 

-ENDS-

Note to Editors:   

For quotes or comments on industry issues, please contact Kayla Wilkins, Freya Lord-Jones, Marta Moya Abad-Torres or Amy Skelding at FINN Partners – aito@finnpartners.com 0207 046 8200 

About AITO – The Specialist Travel Association 

Founded in 1976 and celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, AITO is the UK's leading travel specialist travel association. It represents over 100 of the UK's best independent tour operators who collectively provide an unrivalled range of holidays to every corner of the world. AITO members are centres of excellence in customer service, innovation and entrepreneurialism and share a passion for delivering outstanding holidays backed by personal service, expert knowledge and a commitment to sustainability. All AITO members adhere to a strict code of conduct which includes providing consumer financial protection in line with Package Travel Regulations, either through its own financial protection scheme (AFPS), or by another of its accredited schemes, ensuring travellers have complete confidence and peace of mind when booking.  AITO members and travel agents combined generate £1.1Billion revenue annually.