Entries are now open for the Visit USA Media Awards; celebrating the year’s finest storytelling about travel to, in and around the USA.
This year, we have 12 categories on offer for you to nominate your work.
This year, we have 11 categories on offer for you to nominate your work.
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 is selected from a short list of candidates chosen by the judges, having reviewed the entries received in all award categories.
Articles must have been published between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025 inclusive. Please also note category specific criteria on some awards *.
All entries, which can be submitted by media or Visit USA UK members, must be received at the latest by 0900hrs on 13 February 2026.
To submit your entry, go to visitusamediaawards.com complete the entry form.
If submitting entries under the Online category the piece must have been written for Online ONLY and should not have appeared in print.
EACH ENTRY MUST BE UPLOADED INDIVIDUALLY AND PDF FILES MUST BE UPLOADED IN THEIR PUBLISHED FORMAT.
WE CANNOT ACCEPT ENTRIES BY POST OR EMAIL.
Broadcast features must be provided by a link.
The small print:
All articles and features MUST have been published or transmitted between 1 January – 31 December 2025 inclusive in any UK newspaper or magazine, on UK television or radio, or on the internet via a UK platform, authored by a UK journalist. Features MUST be recognised as editorial content rather than paid for advertorial, with the exception of the content creator campaign category
The main subject of the feature should be travel to or within the USA. The article should be informative and accurate, should portray the USA as a holiday destination, and should mention at least one Visit USA Member. An up-to-date list of Members can be seen on our website at https://www.visitusa.org.uk/Members
Journalists are limited to one entry per category. Please submit your best work. Duplicate articles from journalists across multiple categories will not be accepted.
Visit USA Members are asked to inform journalists if they have nominated them for an award. However, the journalist’s article and category selection will override the members nominated article.
A minimum of five entries per category will be required for the category to be upheld.
All journalists must tick the box on the award application website to confirm the article was published in a UK/NI based media channel. Articles published in Ireland will not be accepted.
*For the Content Creator category, the greatest percentage of the audience must be in the UK. Please see separate criteria and requirements for this category.
*For the Travel for Good category, please supply a short statement about why you feel your submission fits the “Travel for Good category. Maximum 100 words.
*For the Rising Star Award, journalists must provide proof that they have been producing travel articles for 2 years as at 1 Jan. 2025
A list of the judges is available from Visit USA (UK) website. The judges’ decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.
Finalists in each category will be announced on https://www.visitusa.org.uk on 11 May at 0900hrs
The awards will be announced at the annual Visit USA Media Marketplace and Awards event on 30 June 2026 in London.
Full details will follow.
Kind regards
Visit USA UK HQ