Award Categories 2026
Inspire Global media Awards
The Inspire Global Media Awards celebrate and encourage sustainable, positive impact tourism storytelling, across all forms of media distribution. Now in it’s fourth year, the Awards stand out in their clear aspiration to drive positive impact.
The Awards reward the storytellers and story producers that strike a good balance between painting a colourful, inspiring and informative picture of the destination or experience discussed and providing their audience with a wider understanding of the positive impact tourism can play as a force for good.
The 2026 Awards cover 11 categories across consumer and trade and include both commissioned and self-published mediums, ensuring the full cross-section of travel media is included. Two Recognition Awards recognise outstanding and significant contribution to Positive Impact Storytelling.
2026 Awards category summary
2026 SUBMISSION CATEGORIES
- Review individual award category criteria using dropdown button under each award. Review overall entry process HERE and download submission form.
- Complete the form listing all categories you are entering.
- Email completed form to info (at) inspireglobal (dot) travel – by 11pm (GMT) Monday, 26 January 2026.
Awards Timeline
29 December 2025
26 January 2026
16 February 2026
13 April 2026
Positive Impact Storyteller of the Year
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RECOGNITION AWARD CRITERIA
The Positive Impact Storyteller of the Year recognises an individual, whose work in the past 12 months has consistently advanced positive impact storytelling at a global or systemic level. This award celebrates visionaries whose leadership and dedication has inspired change across the sector, creating ripple effects that go far beyond a single story or narrative. Scores will be gathered from all judged categories, aggregated, evaluated and ranked using a weighted factor analysis method i.e where different criteria are assigned different levels of importance (weights) to calculate a final score. Please note - this category is NOT open for submissions as it is awarded based on aggregated scores.
Positive Impact Story Producer of the Year
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RECOGNITION AWARD CRITERIA
The Positive Impact Story Producer of the Year recognises a media organisation or self-published platform with more than 5k subscribers, whose work in the past 12 months has consistently advanced positive impact storytelling at a global or systemic level. This award celebrates visionary organisations whose innovation and dedication has inspired change across the sector, creating ripple effects that go far beyond a single story or narrative. Scores will be gathered from all judged categories, aggregated, evaluated and ranked using a weighted factor analysis method i.e where different criteria are assigned different levels of importance (weights) to calculate a final score. Please note - this category is NOT open for submissions as it is awarded based on aggregated scores.
Consumer Feature of the Year
UK and Ireland based writers
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AWARD CRITERIA
Ten (10) sub-categories - United Kingdom | Europe & North Africa | Africa & Indian Ocean | Asia | Australasia & Oceania | Middle East | North America | Latin America & Antarctica | The Caribbean | Global
This category celebrates commissioned content published in either newspaper, magazine or online for journalists based in the United Kingdom and Ireland in each of the ten (10) sub-category / geographical areas. The global sub-category is for submissions that either cover multiple geographical regions and/or are focused on a global trend or topic. You are permitted to submit in all ten (10) sub-categories / geographical areas, but with a maximum of two (2) per sub-category. i.e. you can enter twenty (20) submissions in this category, should you have the qualifying content. When a printed piece has also been adapted for online, submission must specify which version is to be judged.
Consumer Feature of the Year
International writers
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AWARD CRITERIA
This category celebrates commissioned content published in either newspaper, magazine or online for journalists based OUTSIDE of the United Kingdom and Ireland. When a printed piece has also been adapted for online, submission must specify which version is to be judged. Inspire Global reserves the right to add geographical sub-categories, based on submission volume. Maximum of five submissions permitted for international journalists within this category only.
Trade Feature of the Year
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AWARD CRITERIA
This category celebrates commissioned content published in travel trade print or online publications. When a printed piece has also been adapted for online, submission must specify which version is to be judged. Inspire Global reserves the right to add geographical sub-categories, based on submission volume. Maximum two submissions permitted for this category.
Television Broadcast of the Year
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AWARD CRITERIA
This category celebrates exceptional television or online channel programming (excluding content hosted solely on YouTube or Vimeo) that showcases travel with a positive impact. Eligible submissions may include one-off programmes or episodes from a series, such as features, documentaries, or interviews. 24-month window. Maximum two submissions permitted for this category.
Video of the Year
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AWARD CRITERIA
This category celebrates commissioned video content hosted on YouTube, Vimeo or similar. Videos must be over 2 minutes in length but can also be feature length documentaries and/or sponsored content. Maximum two submissions permitted for this category.
Podcast / Audio Programme of the Year
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AWARD CRITERIA
This category is open for programmes made for radio, podcast and online channels (excluding YouTube, Vimeo and SoundCloud). Submissions may include a one-off programme or one episode of a series of programmes, including features, audio-documentaries, interviews and phone-ins. Maximum two submissions permitted for this category.
Travel Book of the Year
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AWARD CRITERIA
This category celebrates travel literature that provides a non-fiction travel narrative, published in the last two years. 24-month window. Maximum two submissions per author permitted for this category. Publishers CAN only submit on behalf of authors, with the authors full permission and details on the form.
Travel Guide of the Year
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AWARD CRITERIA
This category celebrates travel guides, either as printed guidebooks, digital travel guides, or as an app. Only open to NEW editions and/or significant updated editions (over 15% of content changed) published in the last two years. 24-month window. Publishers CAN only submit on behalf of authors, with the authors full permission and details on the form.
Blog Story of the Year
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AWARD CRITERIA
This category celebrates self-published personal blogs or websites that feature articles, which may or may not include photos or video. Maximum two submissions permitted for this category.
Vlog of the Year
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AWARD CRITERIA
This category celebrates any self-published video content hosted on YouTube, Vimeo or similar. Videos must be over 2 minutes in length but can also be feature length documentaries. Maximum two submissions permitted for this category.
Short-Reel of the Year
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AWARD CRITERIA
This category celebrates any commissioned or self-published visual content hosted on social media channels like Instagram, TikTok or similar. Content must be under 2 minutes per reel in length but must form part of a series of up to 3 individual reels.
Photo of the Year - commissioned
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AWARD CRITERIA
This category celebrates any commissioned and published photos in two sub-categories – People & Community and Wildlife & Environment. Photos must have been commissioned and published on travel publications (newspaper, magazine, or online). Nominees should submit up to five photographs per sub-category submission, to provide positive impact context. Note – to be eligible, at least two of the five photographs submitted MUST have been published from either a single feature or photo-story. The images will be judged as a body of work. You are permitted to submit in both (2) sub-categories, but with a maximum of two (2) submissions per sub-category. i.e. you can enter four (4) submissions in this category, should you have the qualifying images. Please also refer to Photo of the Year - Image Eligibility in Entry Process below.
Photo of the Year - self-published
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AWARD CRITERIA
This category celebrates any self-published photos in two sub-categories – People & Community and Wildlife & Environment. Photos must have been published on personal blogs or websites with more than 5k subscribers. Nominees should submit up to five photographs per sub-category submission, to provide positive impact context. Note – to be eligible, all five photographs submitted MUST have been published from either a single feature or photo-story. The images will be judged as a body of work. You are permitted to submit in both (2) sub-categories, but with a maximum of two (2) submissions per sub-category. i.e. you can enter four (4) submissions in this category, should you have the qualifying images. Please also refer to Photo of the Year - Image Eligibility in Entry Process below.
Positive Impact Outstanding Contribution - Individual
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RECOGNITION AWARD CRITERIA
The Outstanding Contribution to Positive Impact Storytelling Award recognises an individual, whose work has consistently advanced positive impact storytelling at a global or systemic level. This award celebrates visionaries whose leadership and dedication has inspired change across the sector, creating ripple effects that go far beyond a single story or narrative. Please note - this category is NOT open for submissions as it is awarded by Inspire Global following an internal appraisal and evaluation by its management and Ambassadors.
Positive Impact Outstanding Contribution - Organisation
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RECOGNITION AWARD CRITERIA
The Outstanding Contribution to Positive Impact Storytelling Award recognises a media organisation, whose work has consistently advanced positive impact storytelling at a global or systemic level. This award celebrates visionary organisations whose innovation and dedication has inspired change across the sector, creating ripple effects that go far beyond a single story or narrative. Please note - this category is NOT open for submissions as it is awarded by Inspire Global following an internal appraisal and evaluation by its management and Ambassadors.
- Review individual award category criteria using dropdown button under each award. Review overall entry process HERE and download submission form.
- Complete the form listing all categories you are entering.
- Email completed form to info (at) inspireglobal (dot) travel – by 11pm (GMT) Monday, 26 January 2026.
entry process and terms & conditions
We believe positive impact tourism is to create socio-cultural, environmental and economic benefits through tourism, that enrich the lives of both visitors and the host communities.
- The Awards reward the storytellers that strike a good balance between painting a colourful, inspiring and informative picture of the destination or experience discussed and providing their audience with a wider understanding of the positive impact tourism can play as a force for good.
- Judges look for 3 main components –
- INSPIRE – does it inspire in a way that transports you and makes you want to immediately experience or go there yourself, and the positive impact it will have on you, as a visitor?
- INFORMATION – does it provide engaging and well-researched information that either goes beyond tourist traps, and/or focuses on a new or unique angle that encourages you to learn more about the destination or experience?
- IMPACT – does it highlight the positive impact tourism brings to that destination or experience either for the communities, the environment, the wildlife, and/or culture. Submissions that highlight the sometimes negative impact tourism brings either through overtourism or other, must include an alternative positive impact solution-led narrative.
- Please carefully read the entry requirements below each category under the ‘Award Criteria’ dropdown under each category.
- There is no cost for entering the Inspire Global Media Awards 2026. Membership to Inspire Global not required, although encouraged.
- All submissions must have been published between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025, EXCEPT for Travel Book, Travel Guide and Television Broadcast, which have a 24-month window from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025,
- All entries must be submitted via the submission form, which can be downloaded HERE (please note you can submit multiple entries on one form, however if easier, we will also accept a separate form for each entry), by 11pm (GMT) on Monday, 26 January 2026,
- You may enter in multiple categories, but a maximum of two submissions will be permitted per category, except for the International Writers – Consumer Feature of the Year where a maximum of five submissions are permitted,
- Where categories have sub-geographical categories i.e. Consumer Feature of the Year – UK and Ireland based writers, you are permitted to submit in all ten (10) sub-categories / geographical areas, but with a maximum of two (2) per sub-category. i.e. you can enter twenty (20) submissions in this category, should you have the qualifying content,
- All submissions for written pieces must have a PDF, and/or where possible a non-paywall weblink,
- All submissions for travel book and travel guide must include 2 hard copies. Address of where to send will be provided upon receipt of submission,
- All submissions for Television Broadcast, Video, Podcast / Audio, Vlog and Short-Reel must include a non-paywall weblink,
- In the event that an entry is inaccurate or incomplete, does not comply with these conditions for entry or is deemed, at the sole discretion of Inspire Global, ineligible for any other reason, then the relevant entry will be disqualified.
PHOTO OF THE YEAR – IMAGE ELIGIBILITY
- Camera Equipment: Entries shot on either film or digital cameras are eligible for all categories. Film images must be scanned and then submitted digitally, Transparencies and negatives or any other postal entries will NOT be accepted.
- Digital manipulation: You are allowed to edit photos using digital editing software for all categories. But you are not permitted to manipulate the image or the elements of the composition in a way that is deemed to change the image beyond what was in the original unedited file.
- Multiple composite images: Photos that are created from more than one image are not allowed except stitched panoramas or exposure bracketing of the same scene (i.e. HDR images) and drone shots. If unsure about the eligibility of the image please contact Inspire Global prior to entering.
- Replacing parts of the photo: No form of replacement of any part of the image including sky replacement is allowed.
- Copyright, watermark or name: As entries are judged anonymously, any entries with visible copyright including watermarks or anything that identifies the photographer in the photo will be disqualified.
- Image size: Submitted images should be in jpeg file format at a resolution of 72dpi and a maximum file size of 2 MB. Note, this is a guideline and entries will NOT be disqualified if they exceed 2 MB. Should you be shortlisted, you shall be required to provide the original image file (Raw or JPEG as shot) of their image for final judgment. Where images have been shot in JPEG only, the judges may ask to see sister images (the previous and next image to that original jpeg),
- Metadata: The original images must contain metadata. Images without metadata will be disqualified,
- AI-Generated Images– Images generated wholly or partially using artificial intelligence are ineligible and will be disqualified,
- Copyright: Images that infringe the copyrights of another photographer are ineligible.
- Inspire Global shall consider each entry on its merits and on the basis solely of the information provided in the relevant entry,
- Inspire Global will shortlist the entries to go through to a final judging phase. The winners will be decided by Inspire Global’s appointed Judges; who are a diverse group of authors, travel editors, tour operators, and positive impact and sustainability experts,
- To ensure competitive equality, where a category has geographical sub-categories, each sub-category must achieve a minimum threshold of ten submissions to be eligible as a stand-alone sub-category. Inspire Global reserves the right to separate further or merge sub-categories, based on submission volume.
- Published written features will anonymous to judges – author and publication will be hidden,
- You will be informed whether your entry has been shortlisted in February 2026 via email,
- Shortlisted entries will be required to supply images and other information to Inspire Global to be used for display in Inspire Global’s marketing materials leading up to the Awards and during the week of the event. Entrants authorise Inspire Global to publicly display all and any such images and information provided for this purpose,
- All shortlisted media will be invited to attend the Media Awards ceremony as our complimentary guests where the winners will be announced on Monday 13 April 2026 in London, United Kingdom,
- Inspire Global’s decisions relating to shortlisting and granting of Awards in the course of judging is final and will not enter into any correspondence or discussion with any entrants on any subject nor will Inspire Global accept any submissions, representations or appeals with regard to such decisions,
- Inspire Global reserves the right to:
- Disqualify entries that do not comply with these Terms & Conditions or for any other reason,
- Move an entry to another category without notice, if Inspire Global feels it would be better suited to the relevant category,
- Remove an Award category,
- Disqualify any entry that is a product of two or more companies that does not have the agreement of all parties.
Awards Timeline
29 December 2025
26 January 2026
16 February 2026
13 April 2026