Enhancing the Tourism Narrative
Africa’s tourism industry is a vital component of its economy, with a growing number of visitors flocking to the continent each year. However, to truly showcase Africa’s unique experiences and destinations, quality reporting is essential. The Africa Travel Week (ATW) Media Awards aim to recognize and celebrate outstanding travel journalism that brings Africa’s diverse tourism destinations to global audiences. Awards for Excellence
The Africa Travel Week Media Awards have announced the winners of its 2025 Media Awards, recognizing five exceptional journalists whose work has elevated the profile of Africa’s tourism offering on the global stage. The event, held between 9 and 4 11 April 2025, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, brought together a distinguished judging panel comprising Pat Riddell (National Geographic Traveller UK), Barry Neild (CNN Travel), Ellie Rothnie (Canon Ambassador), and Kojo Bentum-Williams (VoyagesAfriq). Award-Winning Journalists
The five award-winning journalists are Mike Unwin, Summer Rylander, Ryan Eslin, Shanna Jacobsen, and Qaqamba Matundu. Each of their works has been praised for its exceptional storytelling, captivating photographs, and in-depth analysis. Here are some of the notable works:
• Mike Unwin’s piece, “Rock of Ages”, explores the unique UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Matobo Hills in Zimbabwe. • Summer Rylander’s thoughtful analysis, “What Does Successful Low-Volume, High-Value Tourism Look Like?” examines Botswana’s approach to balancing tourism development with environmental conservation. • Ryan Enslin’s captivating photo essay “A Wild Wild Life” documents the unique wildlife encounters possible in Cape Town, revealing an unexpected side of urban Africa. • Shanna Jacobsen’s investigative report “Addressing the Train-Retain Drain” examines critical staffing challenges facing South Africa’s incentive travel industry in the post-pandemic landscape. • Qaqamba Matundu won for her remarkable report on the rediscovery of South Africa’s “lost” golden mole, highlighting both an important conservation milestone and emerging journalistic talent. Recognizing Quality Reporting
The Africa Travel Week Media Awards aim to recognize and celebrate quality reporting that brings Africa’s diverse tourism destinations to global audiences. The awards have been praised for their ability to spot exceptional talent and promote the highest standards of travel reporting. As Megan de Jager, Portfolio Director at RX Africa, noted, “Compelling storytelling is essential for showcasing Africa’s extraordinary destinations and experiences. These award-winning journalists exemplify the highest standards of travel reporting, helping to position Africa within the global tourism conversation.”
Celebrating Outstanding Travel Journalism
The annual Africa Travel Week Media Awards are open to all media practitioners, including journalists, bloggers, videographers, and photographers producing content related to African travel. The programme forms part of Africa Travel Week’s broader initiatives to promote the continent’s tourism offerings to international markets. The awards aim to celebrate outstanding travel journalism that brings Africa’s diverse tourism destinations to global audiences. The 2025 Media Awards winners have set a high standard for the industry, demonstrating the importance of quality reporting in showcasing Africa’s unique experiences and destinations. The awards will undoubtedly inspire other media practitioners to strive for excellence in their work, promoting the highest standards of travel reporting and celebrating the exceptional talent in the industry. **What makes quality reporting in travel journalism so important?**
Quality reporting in travel journalism plays a crucial role in shaping perceptions and raising awareness of the continent’s travel offerings. It provides readers with a deeper understanding of the destinations, cultures, and experiences that Africa has to offer. By showcasing the unique aspects of each destination, quality reporting helps to attract more visitors, promoting economic growth and development. **The role of the Africa Travel Week Media Awards**
The Africa Travel Week Media Awards play a vital role in promoting quality reporting in the industry. They recognize and celebrate outstanding travel journalism that brings Africa’s diverse tourism destinations to global audiences. **Conclusion**
In conclusion, the Africa Travel Week Media Awards have done an excellent job of recognizing and celebrating quality reporting in the travel journalism industry. The award-winning journalists have set a high standard for the industry, demonstrating the importance of quality reporting in showcasing Africa’s unique experiences and destinations.