Categories for entry

Article with a focus on a destination or travel experience outside of campus. For example, for a University of Missouri student, a story on a place within the city of Columbia is fine, just not a story about the University or a University-owned location.

Video with a focus on a destination or travel experience outside of campus. For example, for a University of Missouri student, a story on a place within the city of Columbia is fine, just not a story about the University or a University-owned location.

Marketing campaign with a focus on a destination or travel experience outside of campus. For example, for a University of Missouri student, a story on a place within the city of Columbia is fine, just not a story about the University or a University-owned location.

Photograph or photo essay by a currently enrolled college or university student, focused on a destination or travel experience outside of campus.

Podcast episode or audio feature by a currently enrolled college or university student, focused on a destination or travel experience outside of campus.

Article on a travel destination published in a print or online newspaper, magazine, or other digital publication.

Travel article with text and photography or photography by the same journalist, published in a print or digital publication.

A narrative or personal essay that tells a travel story, published in print or online. Minimum 1,500 words.

Book focused on a travel experience, or a guide providing information to travelers to a specific destination. May be principally photography or text.

Open to travel journalists, photographers, creators, and producers under age thirty at the entry deadline. Submit three representative works across any format plus a 300-word statement.

Travel article focused on luxury and/or high-end travel, activities, or properties, such as resorts and other exclusive properties.

Article focused on expedition travel, exploratory journeys, scientific expeditions, or travel to remote and difficult-to-access destinations.

Article covering backcountry destinations, wilderness travel, long-distance trails, backpacking and thru-hiking, mountaineering travel, paddling routes, or self-supported wilderness journeys.

Article examining trail and park carrying capacity, wildlife disturbance, permit systems, access, and the ecological footprint of adventure tourism.

Travel article focused on field sports as the purpose of the journey. Must center on the destination and travel experience, not technique or gear alone.

Travel article focused on ocean cruising—the ship, sailing, onboard experience, or an ocean itinerary and its ports of call.

Travel article focused on river cruising, canal travel, inland waterway journeys, or barge and small-vessel itineraries.

Travel article focused on expedition cruising, including polar voyages, small-ship exploration, scientific sailings, and remote-access maritime itineraries.

Article examining cruise ports, port communities, shore excursions, homeport cities, or the relationship between cruise itineraries and destinations.

Reporting on emissions and fuel transition, waste management, marine protected areas, shore power, overtourism, and decarbonization commitments.

Business, trade, or operational reporting on capacity strategy, deployment, pricing, labor and crew conditions, port infrastructure, corporate results, or regulatory affairs.

Travel article focused on a destination's history or a historical site or event.

Travel article focused on wine regions, breweries and beer culture, distilleries and spirits traditions, tasting-room travel, or beverage tourism.

Article exploring a destination through regional cuisines, market and street-food traditions, culinary heritage, food systems, or the role of food in cultural identity.

Profile or narrative feature centered on a chef, food producer, farmer, fisher, vintner, distiller, or restaurant, told through travel and place.

Article focused on family or multigenerational travel, or travel for or by older adults.

Travel article focused on a destination and its culture, or its performing or visual arts.

Experiential, service, investigative, or analytical reporting focused on sustainability, responsible travel, overtourism, destination management, certification, or greenwashing.

Article focused on ecotourism operations, conservation-funded travel, wildlife tourism and its ethics, protected areas, rewilding, or conservation outcomes.

Article addressing aviation and rail emissions, sustainable fuel, slow travel, climate-vulnerable destinations, adaptation, offsetting, or climate-aware trip planning.

Article documenting measurable community outcomes from travel, including locally owned, community-based, or Indigenous-led tourism and cultural preservation.

Article focused on accessible destinations, accommodations, transportation, and experiences for travelers with disabilities, chronic illness, or mobility limitations.

Article centering travel experiences of communities historically underrepresented in travel media.

Travel article focused on wellness destinations, fitness and movement, sleep and longevity, mental-health-focused travel, or holistic wellbeing.

Article evaluating or reporting on spas, thermal and bathing culture, retreats, healing traditions, or medical and integrative wellness travel.

Travel article built around attending a sporting event—the journey, host city, fan experience, or practicalities of following a team or tour.

Travel article about taking part: destination marathons, golf trips, ski and snowboard travel, cycling tours, dive and surf travel, or organized sporting itineraries.

Travel article on stadiums, historic grounds, halls of fame, sports museums, sporting pilgrimage sites, and neighborhoods defined by their teams.

Reporting on the infrastructure, cost, displacement, labor, environmental footprint, pricing effects, and post-event legacy of hosting.

Independently produced video or program focused on the traveler or travel experience, streamed online or broadcast on television.

Commercially produced video or program focused on the traveler or travel experience, including travel segments on news outlets.

Social media video reel or short video, no more than three minutes, focused on the traveler or travel experience.

A program focused on the traveler or travel experience. Submit one episode per entry; different episodes may be separate entries.

Documentary film or feature-length program focused on a destination, travel experience, or travel-related subject.

A series of two or more connected travel videos or episodes, judged as a body of work.

Travel podcast judged as a series rather than a single episode.

Travel programming produced for broadcast television, including travel segments on news and lifestyle programs.

Lead or featured image in an online or print article, or magazine cover. One photo per entry.

Image whose main subject is a landscape, seascape, plant, animal life, or similar subject. One photo per entry.

Image featuring buildings, bridges, towers, pyramids, cathedrals, or cityscapes from a broader visual perspective. One photo per entry.

Image whose main subject is a person or group of people. One photo per entry.

Action image depicting sport, recreation, adventure, fan culture, or venue atmosphere. One photo per entry.

Image capturing customs, arts, community interactions, or celebrations unique to a geographic region. One photo per entry.

Collection of travel photographs or illustrations by one photographer or artist that represents a destination or travel experience.

Single image capturing outdoor adventure, expedition conditions, wilderness terrain, mountaineering, paddling, or remote environments.

Single image capturing spa and bathing environments, retreat settings, movement and practice, thermal landscapes, or restorative destinations.

Single image capturing food, beverage, market, kitchen, or agricultural subjects in a travel context.

Consumer-focused advice including tips, how-tos, and recommendations.

Consumer-facing or B2B article focused on economic benefits a location receives as a result of travel.

Reporting or service journalism on traveler health, safety, insurance, medical evacuation, security, preparedness, or advisory systems.

Reporting that holds travel businesses accountable on pricing, refunds, booking platforms, loyalty programs, and consumer rights.

Guide or website using creative strategies to attract visitors, published by a CVB, DMO, or PR agency.

Promotional online videos and television spots produced by a CVB, DMO, or PR agency.

A unique destination campaign using print, digital, social, video, television, radio, or podcasts.

Destination brand film, documentary, or long-form video produced by or for a DMO, CVB, tourism board, or PR agency.

Campaign across one or more platforms. Submit campaign materials, platform handles, objectives, and results.

Destination website judged on design, usability, content quality, and effectiveness in converting interest into visitation.

Paid display, search, programmatic, email, mobile, or social advertising. Submit creative, media plan summary, objectives, and results.

Photography produced for destination marketing, judged as a body of work. Submit eight to twelve representative images and a visual brief.

Sponsored or brand-funded articles, guides, newsletters, native advertising, or content hubs with clear commercial disclosure.

Brand-funded documentary, series, film, or scripted work with travel or destination subject matter.

Podcast produced by or funded by a destination, travel brand, operator, or agency. Submit up to three episodes.

Media relations, launches, earned coverage programs, or thought leadership. Submit strategy, materials, coverage, and results.

Communications responding to a crisis or supporting recovery and relaunch. Submit situation, strategy, materials, and outcomes.

Annual reports, stakeholder and impact communications, investor materials, or internal communications from a travel organization.

Marketing or content specifically promoting accessible travel or inclusion of underrepresented traveler communities.

Marketing that promotes sustainable behavior, manages visitor distribution, supports conservation, or communicates sustainability commitments.

Destination marketing centered on food, wine, beer, spirits, culinary experiences, food trails, or producer programs.

Marketing promoting wellness travel, spa tourism, retreat programming, or health-focused destination positioning.

Marketing promoting outdoor recreation, adventure travel, trails, public lands, or adventure operator programming.

Marketing by a port, homeport city, cruise destination, or cruise line promoting a destination or itinerary.

Marketing, content, or campaign work by a tour operator, destination management company, or receptive operator.

Strongest overall travel social media presence across an account or linked accounts, judged on the body of work rather than a single post.

Single short-form vertical video of three minutes or less focused on a destination, travel experience, or travel service.

Travel video over ten minutes, or a body of work from a travel-focused YouTube or streaming channel.

Single image or series originally published on a social platform rather than in an article or publication.

Travel-focused email newsletter published regularly, judged on a body of issues. Open to independent and publisher-owned newsletters.

Independently owned, reader-funded publication judged across its body of work, business model, and reader relationship.

Creator in the first three years of professional work who demonstrates exceptional promise and craft.

Independently owned blog focused on a destination, mode of travel, traveler community, or specialty beat.

Single outstanding blog post or digital feature from an independently owned publication.

Excellence in interactive features, scrollytelling, mapping, data-driven presentation, and digital travel storytelling.

Website or magazine directed to travelers or focused on the travel experience. For in-flight or general circulation magazines, submit one issue per entry.

Selection, sequencing, commissioning, and presentation of travel imagery. Submit three published features plus a statement.

Travel blog or website focused on a defined destination, mode of travel, traveler community, or specialty beat.

A single outstanding blog post or digital feature, judged on its own merits rather than as part of a whole-site submission.

Publisher-affiliated or corporate-owned editorial travel website judged on quality, breadth, and consistency. May not be an online flipbook.

Excellence in interactive features, scrollytelling, mapping, data-driven presentation, and digital travel storytelling.