The 2027 ATW Media Awards are now open for entries, giving journalists, photographers, artists and digital content creators an opportunity to have their work on African travel and tourism recognised by the industry.
Organised by Africa Travel Week (ATW), the awards will recognise outstanding work published or produced during 2026, with entries accepted across five categories. The deadline for submissions is Friday, 15 January 2027.
Winners will be announced during WTM Africa, scheduled to take place from 7 to 9 April 2027 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in Cape Town, South Africa.
Megan De Jager, Portfolio Director at RX Africa, said the awards aim to recognise the people documenting Africa’s tourism industry and presenting its destinations, communities and experiences to international audiences.
“Africa’s travel story is richer, more diverse and more compelling than ever, and the people telling it deserve to be celebrated,” De Jager said.
She encouraged both established media professionals and emerging creators to submit their work, highlighting the importance of journalism and visual storytelling in promoting responsible tourism and giving audiences a more authentic understanding of African destinations.
The 2027 awards feature five categories covering different aspects of travel and tourism storytelling.
The Sustainability Feature Award is open to journalists whose work examines sustainability in African tourism. Eligible stories may explore community-led tourism, conservation initiatives and individuals or organisations working towards more responsible tourism practices.
The Visual Tourism Award recognises photographers and artists whose work captures Africa’s landscapes, wildlife, people and cultural heritage. Entrants can submit one photograph, one artwork or a related series of images. This year’s rules also permit exposure blending, commonly used in high dynamic range (HDR) photography, and focus stacking, subject to the competition’s authenticity requirements.
The Tourism News Award focuses on reporting that examines developments, emerging trends and challenges affecting Africa’s tourism industry. The category is intended for journalists producing well-researched coverage of the issues shaping the sector.
The Destination Feature Award recognises in-depth stories that introduce readers to African destinations through their landscapes, heritage and communities. The Young Talent Award, meanwhile, provides an opportunity for writers, photographers and digital creators under the age of 25 to showcase their work and gain recognition for their contribution to travel storytelling.
Entries are free, and participants may submit one entry in each category. However, all submissions must have been published in print or online between 1 January and 31 December 2026. The organisers have also confirmed that entries will be assessed by a judging panel comprising travel editors, journalists and photographers. The panel members will be announced at a later date.
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The awards are open to a broad range of contributors, including freelance journalists, professional photographers, students, independent publishers and digital creators. Africa Travel Week is also encouraging editors, tourism boards, publishers and other industry organisations to circulate the announcement among their professional networks to reach potential entrants.
For travel writers and photographers covering Africa, the awards offer an opportunity to bring attention to work that might otherwise receive limited industry recognition. The five categories also reflect the different ways African tourism is documented, from investigative and destination journalism to photography and work by younger creators.
Full submission guidelines, category requirements and technical specifications are available on the official Africa Travel Week website – CLICK HERE.
With submissions closing on 15 January 2027, eligible contributors will need to ensure their work meets the publication dates and requirements before entering.
Megan De Jager also encouraged people within the tourism and media industries to recommend potential entrants, noting that some of the continent’s most compelling travel stories may come from creators who simply need encouragement to put their work forward.
