Esteemed Accolades and Recognition
Travel + Leisure has consistently garnered significant recognition for its outstanding contributions to travel journalism. In 2024 alone, the publication
secured an impressive 11 awards and 2 honorable mentions from the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA), including the prestigious 'Magazine of the Year' title. These NATJA awards spanned categories such as 'Special Recognition,' 'Publications: Travel Magazine' (Silver Award), 'Luxury & Resort Travel' (Gold Award for Devin Friedman's "Flow State"), and 'Sports, Recreation, and Adventure' (Honorable Mention for Paul Brady's "High & Mighty"). Furthermore, their coverage of 'Cruises' earned a Silver Award for Jacqueline Gifford's "Sea Change" and an Honorable Mention for Janice Wald Henderson's insights on climate change impacting cruising. Culinary travel was also celebrated with a Silver Award for Emily Bingham's "Still Life," and 'Multigenerational Travel' received a Silver Award for Flora Stubbs' "I Dream of India" and an Honorable Mention for Jessamine Chan's "Our Portuguese Adventure." 'Cultural Travel' was honored with a Gold Award for Julie Orringer's "Note Perfect," and 'Sustainable Travel' received an Honorable Mention for Stanley Stewart's "Nature's Keepers." Photography was also acknowledged with a Bronze Award for Emli Bendixen's "High and Mighty" cover and an Honorable Mention for Cristóbal Palma's "Perfectly Panama" in 'Architecture and Cityscape Photography.' The publication also triumphed at the 2024 SATW Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards, winning in three categories, including 'Travel Magazine' (Bronze) and 'Culinary-related Travel' (Silver) for Adam Erace's "The Hunger Games." 'Short Narrative' was also awarded a Silver for Jonathan Thompson's "Soho Steps Out." The Eddie and Ozzie Awards recognized Travel + Leisure in four categories in 2024, highlighting 'Longform Feature Content' for Kevin West's "Land of Gold," 'Magazine Section' for 'Intelligent Traveler,' 'Single Article' in 'Epicurean' for "The Hunger Games," and 'Digital Integration With Print' for "Destination of the Year 2024: Costa Rica." The James Beard Media Awards nominated "Still Life" by Emily Bingham for 'Beverage writing' in 2023. The previous year, 2023, saw Travel + Leisure achieve 8 wins and 6 honorable mentions at the NATJA Awards, once again earning 'Magazine of the Year' and 'Overall Travel Publication' Gold Awards. Luxury travel, cruises, and family travel were particularly strong categories, with Gold Awards for Richard Godwin's "Acqua di Vita," Jeffrey Gettlemen's "All Creatures Great and Small," and Bridgette Bartlett Royall's "Isle of Freedom" in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility. The publication also collected accolades at the 2023 German National Tourist Office Journalism Award for Sustainability and the 2023 Eddie and Ozzie Awards. The 2023 SATW Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards further bolstered their reputation with five wins across categories like 'Travel Magazines,' 'Cruise Travel,' 'Cultural Tourism,' and 'Culinary-Related Travel.' In 2022, Travel + Leisure received 11 awards from NATJA, including 'Travel Magazine' (Silver), and five wins at the Eddie and Ozzie Awards, including 'Magazine Section' and 'Series of Articles.' They also won at the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Awards and the 2022 SATW Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards, securing seven accolades. In 2021, the magazine earned six NATJA awards and two honorable mentions, alongside recognition at the ADWEEK HOTLIST and the 2021 SATW Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards, where they received a Gold for 'Travel Magazine.'
Editorial Mission and Vision
Travel + Leisure's journey began approximately 50 years ago when Travel & Camera evolved to encompass a broader spectrum of experiences beyond photography, embracing food, wine, fashion, hotels, and various leisure activities, eventually rebranding as Travel + Leisure. Since its inaugural issue in 1971, and the launch of its website in 1998, the brand has maintained an unwavering passion for travel, both domestic and international. Today, it reaches over 16 million travelers monthly through a global network of hundreds of writers and photographers who provide localized insights into premier destinations for accommodation, dining, sightseeing, and exploration. As a premier global travel media entity, Travel + Leisure is dedicated to inspiring and informing avid travelers. It offers comprehensive support and inspiration throughout the entire travel process, from initial trip ideation to intricate logistical planning. The content covers a vast array of travel experiences, from bustling metropolises and tranquil hamlets to undiscovered havens and well-trodden locales, encompassing diverse landscapes like beaches, lakes, mountains, and valleys, alongside national parks and adventure opportunities. Whether it's detailing road trips, cruise expeditions, fine dining establishments, or hidden culinary gems, the scope is expansive. Recognizing that the ultimate goal is to help readers maximize their precious leisure time, the brand also extends its coverage to encompass ways to enjoy life at home, drawing parallels between travel experiences and everyday life. This includes practical advice on transforming living spaces with luxury hotel-inspired touches or adopting beauty regimens discovered abroad, all shared with the aim of enriching readers' lives. Consequently, visitors to the site can expect to discover new travel aspirations, equipped with exceptional tips, expert advice, and curated product recommendations to facilitate their journeys.
The Driving Force: Editorial Teams
The exceptional content produced by Travel + Leisure is the result of dedicated and experienced editorial teams across digital, print, and shopping divisions. The Digital Team is led by Senior Vice President & General Manager of Travel, Molly Fergus, with Nina Ruggiero serving as Senior Editorial Director, overseeing digital content and co-founding 'Be A Travel Writer.' Alisha Prakash, Associate Editorial Director, focuses on impactful storytelling, and Maya Kachroo-Levine, Senior Editor, covers hotels, destinations, food, and cruises, and works on key brand tentpoles. Elizabeth Rhodes, also a Senior Editor, handles a broad range of topics from luxury hotels to theme parks and travel products. Susmita Baral, Senior Editor, brings a decade of experience in food, travel, climate science, and culture. Lydia Price manages engagement as Senior Engagement Editor, while Mae Hamilton contributes as a digital editor. Jalyn Robinson, Assistant Editor, works across both Travel + Leisure and TripSavvy, contributing to stories and managing social media. Maddie Hiatt leads as Senior Social Media Editor, with Annie Archer and Kate Van Dyke supporting as Assistant and Associate Social Media Editors, respectively. Taylor McIntyre serves as Senior Visual Editor, and Alessandra Amodio as Associate Photo Editor. The Print Team is spearheaded by Editor-in-Chief Jacqui Gifford, who has guided the brand to numerous awards. Flora Stubbs is the Executive Editor, bringing over two decades of journalism experience. Paul Brady, News Director, is the brand's cruise travel authority. Elizabeth Cantrell, Senior Editor, focuses on outdoor adventure and specific regions, while Peter Terzian is the Features Editor. Jess Feldman, Special Projects Editor, leads initiatives like the World's Best Awards. Denny Lee, Articles Editor, is a seasoned traveler and writer, and Asa Canty serves as an Associate Editor. The creative leadership includes Fryda Lidor as Creative Director, Alyce Jones as Art Director, Scott Hall as Photo Director, and Skye Senterfeit as Deputy Photo Editor. The Shopping Team, focused on product reviews and recommendations, is managed by Senior Director Jamie Hergenrader. Susan Brickell, Director, guides product review strategy, and Morgan Ashley Parker, Associate Editorial Director, works on content strategy and reviews. Jasmine Grant, Senior Editor, specializes in luggage and accessories. Jackie Cucco, Senior Testing Editor, plans product tests and writes reviews, bringing extensive experience and media appearances. Hillary Maglin, Updates Editor, ensures content remains current. Taylor Fox, an Editor, researches and writes about travel products, drawing on her extensive academic background. Emily Belfiore, Senior Editor, covers product news and deals. Anna Popp, Associate Editor, focuses on style and packing lists. Anne Taylor and Asia London Palomba serve as Updates Writers, keeping articles fresh. Merrell Readman is a Senior Writer focusing on health, fitness, and shopping, and Erin Cavoto is an Editor specializing in travel product reviews. Amelia McBride, Associate Editor, covers gear trends and launches. Rosie Marder and Sophie Dodd are Writers, leveraging their extensive travel experiences for product reviews and essays. Jasmine Gomez, also a Writer, focuses on products for travelers. Ivy Jacobson Ford leads Travel & Pets Testing, with a strong background in media and teaching. Elise Wang contributes as a Methodology Writer.
Global Reach and Editorial Integrity
Travel + Leisure's influence extends globally with various international editions, including Travel + Leisure Central Asia, China, India & South Asia, Italia, En Español Mexico, Southeast Asia, and En Español Spain. This widespread presence underscores the brand's commitment to catering to diverse audiences and understanding varied travel perspectives. Central to its operation is a robust Editorial Policy, emphasizing the in-house oversight of every article to provide travelers with inspiration, planning advice, and on-the-ground guidance. The brand prioritizes content quality and trustworthiness through rigorous research and review by writers, editors, fact-checkers, illustrators, and photographers, ensuring accuracy and up-to-dateness. Each piece is bylined with contributor details and updated regularly. Original visual assets are created by internal teams collaborating with experts to ensure diverse voices and contexts. Periodic reviews by editors and external boards guarantee the integrity of these assets. Photos and videos are presented without misleading edits, and factual errors are corrected transparently. All contributors disclose potential conflicts of interest, and editorial content remains independent of advertisers, with a clear distinction between editorial and sponsored content. Travel + Leisure is committed to human-generated content, explicitly stating it's against their guidelines to publish AI-generated material. Their Values center on learning from global cultures through respectful curiosity, reflected in their choice of contributors and representation of destinations. They actively seek to work with a diverse range of creators and encourage respectful reader feedback, maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for hate speech. Community Guidelines ensure a safe space for discussion, prohibiting offensive language and spam, with moderation and potential bans for repeat offenders. The brand also outlines procedures for Subscription Services, handling inquiries, and providing access to back issues and international editions. For accuracy, Travel + Leisure maintains a commitment to accountability, transparency, and reader feedback, with a systematic updating and verification process for its evergreen content. News articles follow a distinct update process. When factual errors are identified, they are corrected promptly with clear notes. Fact-checking is a cornerstone, involving thorough investigation, verification with reputable sources, and review by editors and fact-checkers. Sourcing adheres to strict journalistic standards, relying on credible primary sources and discouraging anonymous sourcing, while actively seeking perspectives from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and women. Independence and Impartiality are paramount, with a strict separation between advertising and editorial content, and clear labeling of sponsored material. Product and service reviews are wholly independent and based on rigorous testing. While affiliate commissions may be earned, compensation does not influence recommendations. Staff and contributors disclose conflicts of interest and do not solicit gifts. Press Trips are undertaken to support robust coverage, but the brand only covers destinations and services they personally recommend and does not accept monetary compensation for coverage. Product Reviews are based on diligent research and testing, with an affiliate commission model that does not compromise editorial integrity. The brand also prioritizes showcasing brands owned by BIPOC and other minority groups. Guidelines for How to Write for Us encourage contributions from diverse writers and photographers. Contact information is readily available for comments, suggestions, advertising inquiries, media requests, and technical issues, with clear instructions for managing browser notifications. The brand also acknowledges the use of press trips and affiliate links, maintaining transparency about potential revenue streams.
