NATJA Announces 33rd Annual Award Winners for Excellence In Travel Journalism – North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA)NEWS | 13 May 2025PASADENA, CALIF. – The North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) announced the winners of the 33rd Annual NATJA Travel Media Awards Competition. Awards were made to publications, travel journalists and photographers, and destination marketing organizations. NATJA awards special recognition for the publication, destination, journalist, and photographer who excelled across various categories in the competition. For a second year in a row, Travel + Leisure earned the title of Magazine of the Year. The special recognitions were awarded Indiana Destination Development Corporation for Destination of the Year, Morgan Tilton for Journalist of the Year, and Brad A. Johnson for Photographer of the Year. A complete list of the winners and honorable mentions is attached below.
“Our independent panel of judges remarked on the difficulty they had selecting winners,” stated NATJA CEO, Helen Hernandez. “This year’s Magazine of the Year was extremely competitive between Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler. Both are highly regarded publications with stellar content, but Travel + Leisure had just the slightest edge over Condé Nast Traveler.”
Hernandez continued, “We are proud of the winners of this year’s competition, many of whom are members of NATJA, which speaks to the caliber of talent and professionalism in our organization. Congratulations to all!”
Judges for the competition included award-winning newspaper and magazine editors as well as educators from across journalism disciplines. One first place (Gold) winner is chosen in each of the categories along with 2nd place (Silver), 3rd place (Bronze), and Honorable Mentions. To qualify for an award or honor, work had to be published from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024.
Founded in 1991, NATJA is a travel journalism industry leader that fosters high-quality journalism by supporting the professional development of its members, providing exceptional program benefits and valuable resources, honoring the excellence of journalism throughout the world, and promoting travel and leisure to the general public.
# # # #
SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS
PUBLICATIONS
Travel Magazine – Print or Online
DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS
Visitors’ Guide (Printed or Digital) or Website
Destination Video
Gold Award: 2023 Explore Fairbanks Destination Video, Explore Fairbanks
2023 Explore Fairbanks Destination Video, Explore Fairbanks Silver Award: This Is South County, Rhode Island, South County Tourism Council
This Is South County, Rhode Island, South County Tourism Council Bronze Award: Destination Video, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau
Creative Marketing Campaign
Gold Award – TIE: “Must-Do Experiences”, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau
“Must-Do Experiences”, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau Gold Award – TIE: “Total Eclipse IN Indiana 2024”, Indiana Destination Development Corporation
“Total Eclipse IN Indiana 2024”, Indiana Destination Development Corporation Silver Award: “Pure Florida Advertising Campaign”, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau
“Pure Florida Advertising Campaign”, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau Bronze Award: “Lawrence Kansas Summer of Fun Campaign”, eXplore Lawrence
MEDIA
Independent Travel Blog
Destination Travel
Illustrated Story
Long-Form Narrative/Personal Essay
Luxury & Resort Travel
Sports, Recreation, and Adventure
Cruises
Historical Travel
Culinary Travel
Gold Award: Kayla Stewart, “A Taste of Freedom”, SAVEUR
Kayla Stewart, “A Taste of Freedom”, SAVEUR Silver Award: Emily Bingham, “Still Life”, Travel + Leisure
Emily Bingham, “Still Life”, Travel + Leisure Bronze Award: Adam Erace, “Crushing It”, Virtuoso, The Magazine
Adam Erace, “Crushing It”, Virtuoso, The Magazine Honorable Mention: Adam Erace, “Salad Days”, Virtuoso, The Magazine
Adam Erace, “Salad Days”, Virtuoso, The Magazine Honorable Mention: Brad A. Johnson, “A Never-Ending Feast”, OLTRE
Brad A. Johnson, “A Never-Ending Feast”, OLTRE Honorable Mention: Steve Larese, “From Pueblo to Table”, AAA Explorer New Mexico
Multigenerational Travel
Cultural Travel
Sustainable Travel
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Travel
Travel Video – Independent
Travel Video – Commercial
Travel Shorts
Travel Podcast
Cover or Feature Photo, Illustration
Landscape and Nature Photography
Architecture and Cityscape Photography
Portrait Photography
Action and Adventure Photography
Cultural Photography
Photo Essay
Travel Book
Gold Award – TIE: Jen Ruiz, 12 Trips in 12 Months: Make Your Own Solo Travel Magic, Blackstone Publishing
Jen Ruiz, 12 Trips in 12 Months: Make Your Own Solo Travel Magic, Blackstone Publishing Gold Award – TIE: Beth Santos, Wander Woman: How to Reclaim Your Space, Find Your Voice, and Travel the World, Solo
Beth Santos, Wander Woman: How to Reclaim Your Space, Find Your Voice, and Travel the World, Solo Silver Award: Martin Gray, Secret Sacred Sites, Jonglez Publishing
Martin Gray, Secret Sacred Sites, Jonglez Publishing Bronze Award: Angie Orth, Flirting with Disaster: True Travel Tales of Fear, Failure, and Faith
Angie Orth, Flirting with Disaster: True Travel Tales of Fear, Failure, and Faith Honorable Mention: Ruksana Hussain, Around the World in Los Angeles, Reedy Press
Ruksana Hussain, Around the World in Los Angeles, Reedy Press Honorable Mention: Lucy Tobias, Floating in Florida, Sea Aster Press
Travel Tips & Advice
Business of Travel
Travel NewsletterAuthor: Natja Staff. Source
