On 3 November 2025, the eve of WTM, the British Guild of Travel Writers (BGTW) hosted its Annual Gala Awards Dinner at One Marylebone in central London, celebrating the Guild’s 65th anniversary.
Discover the MEA and ITA winners, view the photo galleries, and learn more about our dear friends and partners below… and keep your eyes peeled for the announcement of 2026’s Gala soon! If you’re keen to partner with us next year, please email Renate Ruge, BGTW Partnerships Director, at renate.ruge@bgtw.org.
This year’s Gala’s headline partners are three of the USA’s most important founding cities, untied once again to celebrate America250 in 2026.
“We are very excited to be involved in the BGTW Annual Gala Awards 65 anniversary dinner. This is a wonderful opportunity for Meet Boston to tell our story to a critical audience, including the foundational role that our city has played in the ongoing story of America. For Meet Boston, that story is an inclusive one that uplifts and amplifies all the voices that define our destination. As such, we are thrilled to also sponsor the Celebrating Storytelling Through Diversity award category.” – Dave O’Donnell, Vice President Strategic Communications, Meet Boston.
“Charleston is honored to partner with the British Guild of Travel Writers for the 2025 Annual Awards Dinner and 65th Anniversary of the BGTW. As one of America’s most historic and culturally rich cities, we share the Guild’s commitment to excellence in storytelling and global connection. This partnership is a natural extension of our long-standing ties to the UK and our desire to welcome more British travelers to experience Charleston’s hospitality, heritage, and charm.” – C. Douglas Warner, Executive Vice President, Explore Charleston
“The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau is so honored and excited to partner with the British Guild of Travel Writers for the 2025 Annual Awards Dinner and 65th Anniversary of the BGTW. Philadelphia, a city with quintessential American history as the city where it all began 250 years ago, still has endless stories to tell, and we are delighted to share them and to highlight why Philadelphia continues to inspire visitors from the UK and beyond.” – Robin Bloom, Senior Director of Strategic Communications, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
With thanks to our Portfolio Partners:
With thanks to our Awards Partners: Gran Canaria, TravMedia, Meet Boston, Amelia Island, Antor, Visit Scotland, Travel Switzerland, Tunisian National Tourist Office, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
Charity Raffle: Hopes and Homes for Children
Our charity raffle partner for 2025 was Hopes and Homes for Children, represented at the Gala by long-standing patron, Nick Hewer.
2025 marks the BGTW’s 65th Anniversary – especially important as our 60th arrived in the rather travel-free year of 2020. No celebration would be complete without a cake, and ours was cut by founder member, podcaster and writer, John Carter. The Gala also saw the launch of the BGTW’s latest anthology, Around the World in 65 Years.
Around the World in 65 Years
101 Stories and Experiences From the Road Less Travelled
Around the World in 65 Years is the BGTW’s new travel anthology, spanning time and place, written and photographed by award-winning and acclaimed members of the British Guild of Travel Writers.
The BGTW Members’ Excellence Awards (MEA) scheme recognises the very best work of members in travel writing, photography, blogging and broadcasting in a series of awards judged by UK and international travel industry professionals.
Travel Featureof The Year: UK WINNER: Adrian Phillips Finalists: Jonathan Thompson Kate Wickers See features
Sponsored by Hyatt Place London City East
Travel Featureof The Year: Europe WINNER: Daniel Stables Finalists: Niki Blasina Jonathan Lorie See features
Sponsored by Gran Canaria
Travel Featureof The Year: Wider World WINNER: Dom Tulett Finalists: Emma Gregg Nathan Thomas See features
Sponsored by TravMedia
Travel Feature of the Year: UK Regional Media WINNER: Robin McKelvie Finalists: Martin Hesp James Ruddy See features
Sponsored by Constantinou Bros Asimina Suites Hotel
Travel Trade Media: Feature of The Year WINNER: Domhnall O’Donoghue Finalists: Monica Meade Sarah Rodrigues See features
Sponsored by Gran Canaria
Celebrating Diversity through Storytelling WINNER: Shebs Alom Finalists: Shafik Meghji Anna Richards See features
Sponsored by Meet Boston
Travel Narrative Book of the Year WINNER: Shafik Meghji Finalists: Ash Bhardwaj Simon Parker See books
Sponsored by Amelia Island
Travel Guide Book of the Year WINNER: Daniel James Clarke Finalists: Rudolf Abraham Victoria Watts Kennedy See books
Sponsored by Antor
Sustainability Featureof The Year WINNER: Becki Enright Finalists: Tristan Rutherford Kate Wickers See features
Sponsored by Visit Scotland
Journey Featureof The Year WINNER: Jessica Vincent Finalists: Claire Boobbyer Kerry Walker See features
Sponsored by Travel Switzerland
Specialist Travel Feature of the Year WINNER: Mike Unwin Finalists: Mary Novakovich James Stewart See features
Sponsored by Tunisian National Tourist Office
Travel Blog Post of the Year WINNER: Claire Martin Finalists: Richard Collett Abi King See blogs
Sponsored by Sri Lanka
Travel Broadcast of The Year WINNER: Alex Outhwaite Finalists: Ash Bhardwaj Simon Willmore See broadcasts
Sponsored by Discover Philadelphia
Travel Photo Feature of The Year WINNER: Karolina Wiercigroch Finalists: Tim Bird Jeremy Flint See photo features
Sponsored by Meet Boston
Winners: International Tourism Awards
Launched over 40 years ago, the BGTW International Tourism Awards scheme recognises excellence in tourism projects in three categories. For the ITA, projects are proposed by members. Once verified, nominated projects are put out to BGTW members for voting.
If you were an attendee or partner and wish to request specific high-resolution imagery, please get in touch with charlotte@bgtw.org.
A community of accredited writers, photographers, and broadcasters; the trusted body for independent editorial comment and expert content on worldwide travel.
