Five journalists have been recognised for their contributions to showcasing Africa's diverse tourism landscape
Africa Travel Week (ATW) has announced the winners of its prestigious 2025 Media Awards.
In a press statement, the organisers say that five exceptional journalists have been recognised for their contributions to showcasing Africa’s diverse tourism landscape to global audiences. The statement adds that the second annual awards ceremony took place during Africa Travel Week, held from April 9-11, 2025, in Cape Town.
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According to the statement, a distinguished panel of judges including Pat Riddell of National Geographic Traveller in the United Kingdom, Barry Neild of CNN Travel, Ellie Rothnie of Canon Ambassador, and Kojo Bentum-Williams of VoyagesAfriq selected the winners from a competitive field of entries.
Megan De Jager
“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,” says Megan De Jager, Portfolio Director, Travel, Tourism & RX Africa Marketing.
In the Destination Feature category, Mike Unwin claimed top honours for Rock of Ages in Travel Africa magazine, a vivid exploration of Zimbabwe’s Matobo Hills UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Whereas, Summer Rylander received the Sustainability Feature Award for her thoughtful analysis What Does Successful Low-Volume, High-Value Tourism Look Like? examining Botswana’s approach to balancing tourism development with environmental conservation.
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The statement adds that the Visual Tourism Award went to Ryan Enslin for his captivating photo essay A Wild Wild Life, documenting unique wildlife encounters in Cape Town and revealing an unexpected side of urban Africa.
The organisers add that Shanna Jacobsen’s investigative report Addressing the Train-Retain Drain earned the Tourism News Award by examining critical staffing challenges facing South Africa’s incentive travel industry post-pandemic.
According to the statement, ‘In the Young Talent’ category, introduced this year to uncover emerging media professionals, Qaqamba Matundu won for her remarkable report on the rediscovery of South Africa’s lost golden mole, highlighting both an important conservation milestone and promising journalistic talent.
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