2026 Visit USA UK Media Awards
THE VISIT USA UK MEDIA AWARDS CELEBRATES THE UK’S CHAMPIONS OF US TRAVEL JOURNALISM
The prestigious Visit USA Media Awards celebrates the year’s finest writing on travel to, in and around the USA and is open for entries from travel media or Visit USA UK Members.
If you and/or your organisation has experienced great media coverage between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025 make sure the relevant articles are entered.
Do not miss this opportunity to nominate your work for the Visit USA Media Awards 2026!
www.visitusamediaawards.com
KEY DATES
Awards Applications Opened: Tue 13 Jan. at 0900hrs
Awards Applications Closed: Fri 13 Feb. at 0900hrs
Finalists Announced: 11 May 2026 at 0900hrs on VisitUSA.org.uk website
Winners Announced: 30 June 2026 after the Media Marketplace & BBQ
THE FINALISTS
Thank you so much to all our entrants - we have loved reading all your brilliant articles on the USA! We are delighted to announce our finalists as follows:
Broadcast Campaign
Sophie Morgan – Joy Diversion - California
Susan Schwartz – Lush Life Podcast – Cincy Region
Alison Hammond / Rock Oyster Media – Florida Unpacked
Consumer Magazine Feature
Sara Darling, Fused Magazine
Hippy and Wholesome Sonoma
Siobhan Grogan, Luxury London
From the Ashes, How LA is enticing back visitors after the wildfires
Lucy Cocoran, The Sybarite
True Texan Spirit
Sarah Rodrigues, Weather2Travel
Best things to do in Boston on a grown-up getaway
Isabelle Shury, Women's Health
I flew first class to discover LA’s wellness scene – why I now get the hype
Consumer Travel Magazine Feature
Rashmi Narayan, Adventure.com
You say Creole, I say Cajun. But don’t. Here’s why they’re not the same cuisine
Lauren Jarvis, JRNY America
Bays of Adventure
Zoey Goto, National Geographic Traveller
How food offers a rare window into Tennessee’s Amish Country
James Draven, JRNY Travel Magazine
The only way is up
Jeannine Williamson, Silver Travel Advisors
Shedding Light on the Hudson River
Jacqui Agate, Wanderlust
After the Storm
Content Creator Campaign
Amy Hulley, @amyenvoyage
Explore Florida’s hidden gems beyond the theme parks
Rosie Doal, A Rosie World
Taste Oregon: The Ultimate Urban and Outdoor Fusion
Grace Kelly, Grace's Adventures
Florida: Solo RV Roadtrip - Crystal River & Fort Myers
Kerry Whelpdale
What to do in Tampa Bay
Adriana Neptuna & Eleanor Green, @wander.licious and @thegingerwanderlust
Texas Frontiers Roadtrip
National Newspaper Feature – Broadsheet
Adam Edwards, The Telegraph
The little-visited US coast that combines sugar-white beaches and Southern charm
Bella Falk, The Telegraph
On a voyageof discovery inthe Deep South
Lauren Jarvis, The Independent
A seaweed foraging adventure along the Oregon coastline
Chris Haslam, The Sunday Times
Taking it all in
Nigel Tisdall, The Telegraph
Route 66: How to tackle the world’s greatest road trip
Kate Maxwell, Financial Times
Ice Cream and Island Hopping
Emma John, The Times
An offbeat road trip in Wisconsin
Jacqui Agate, The Times
145 miles of glorious Gulf coast for only £11
National Newspaper – Tabloid
Calum McSwiggan Metro
In a divided world, I found the community I was craving on the streets of Washington DC
Ffion Lewis, Sunday People
Head for the Hills, Pardner
Sophie Swietochowski, The Sun
Hot in the City
Fiona Hardcastle, Daily Mail
I visited every state in New England - here’s why now is the best time to go
Jo Kessel, Daily Mail
I visited the cowboy capital of the world
Jonathan Thompson, Daily Mail
Forget New York and LA, these are the 15 towns and cities you really must visit
Ellie Seymour, I News
Amtrak’s service is back on track
Photographic Feature
Kav Dadfar, JRNY Travel Magazine
The Only Way is UP
Mark Parren Taylor, National Geographic Traveller
City on the edge
Simon Urwin, National Geographic Traveller
Songs of the Delta
Shell Royster, National Geographic Traveller
Backroads and Buggies
Regional Press Feature
Chris Page, Birmingham World
Cleveland - celebrating the Man of Steel's return
Ben Borland, Grimsby Telegraph
Utah Very Much
Lindsay Sutton, The Yorkshire Post
I went to Boston and was stunned by the history and warm reception
Rory Buccheri, The Yorkshire Post
Pittsburgh: I found an unexpected farm to fork oasis in this industrial US city famous for sports and pop art
Trade Press Feature
Domhnall O'Donoghue, Travel Weekly
Portland Pride
Rhonda Carrier, Travel Weekly
Texas Trails
Cathy Toogood, Travel Weekly
Sunshine Star – Panama City Beach
Rhodri Andrews, Aspire magazine
Houston – Tex Mix
Sarah Rodrigues, TTG Media
Secrets of the Nashville cultural icon celebrating its 100th birthday
Travel for Good
Yvette Cook, adventure.com
Can Los Angeles’ iconic Little Tokyo be saved from gentrification?
James Rampton, Sunday Post
Enjoy Wild Adventures as dolphins make waves
Annabel Grossman, The Independent
You’ve probably never heard of Mitchelville – but it might be the most important place you visit in South Carolina
Jacqui Agate, Wanderlust
The USA by locals
A special Headline Sponsor Award 2026 will be chosen by our sponsor from articles published about them.
The Visit USA Travel Writer of the Year Award 2026 will be announced on the night, along with a Rising Star Award.