Dutch Travel Media Awards 2025 presented

Five inspiring travel stories awarded during TravelPRESSentation

At a well-attended ceremony at TravelPRESSentation today, five inspiring Dutch travel publications were awarded the Dutch Travel Media Award 2025. The winners of these new awards for the best travel stories are: Jos Ensing - ExpeditionAnywhere.nl, Karlijn Meulman - Karlijntravels.com, Ynske Boersma - Reisinspiratieklm.nl, Saskia Sampimon-Versneij - Thegreenlist.nl and Kees Lucassen/Ruben Drenth - National Geographic Traveler.

The independent jury judged over 200 entries in five categories: Print, Online Europe, Online City, Online Outside Europe and Free Category. Dutch Travel Media Awards and jury members Hanita van der Meer (Communications ANVR), Sara van Geloven (Polarsteps, former Lonely Planet editor-in-chief) and Ron Peereboom Voller (RonReizen, former Telegraaf Reiskrant chief), are impressed by the quality and quantity of the entries. 'What stands out is the great diversity, both in the type of articles and productions, and also in the destinations covered. Sometimes practically around the corner, sometimes on the other side of the world. The inspiration is enormous. Dutch travel media and travel journalism have many guises and turn out to be surprisingly lively and versatile,' the jury said.

Winners by category

Print

Kees Lucassen - 'Ireland, The Wild Way' in National Geographic Traveler - photography Ruben Drenth

The judges: 'What a fantastic travel story about the experiences on the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland. Experiences that already start on board the ferry with a chance encounter, which unfolds as the thread for the story. Expertly, entertainingly and evocatively written, it is like being there yourself. The colourful selection locals that appear in the article give it an authentic character. The same goes for those moments when the going gets tough. Wonderful photos, colourful, striking and beautiful compositions.'

Online Europe

Jos Ensing - ExpeditionAnywhere.co.uk - 'ViaRhôna cycling along the Rhône'

The jury: 'A very complete and inspiring story, smoothly written. Beautiful images, lots of useful and practical tips and ample attention to the surroundings. The author has struck a good balance between inspiration and practicality. This makes it fun to read for cyclists and non-cyclists alike.'

Online City

Ynske Boersma - reisinspiratieklm.nl - 'Travelogue Rio de Janeiro: Sun, sea and samba'

The jury: 'The story paints a fascinating picture of Brazil's swirling metropolis of millions, Rio de Janeiro. Compliments on the way past and present are intertwined in the article. A measured use of adjectives and superlatives, just enough to give the story tension. Nice image and good tips.'

Online Outside Europe

Karlijn Meulman - Karlijntravels.com - 'Fatu-Hiva: hiking on an island at the end of the world'

The jury: 'A delightful story about a special trip to a surprising destination, Fatu-Hiva in the Marquesas Islands in the Pacific. A place not easily visited. Well-written, compelling and beautiful imagery. This is what you want, isn't it?'

Free Category

Saskia Sampimon-Versneij - Thegreenlist.nl - Instagram - 'The nicest thing in Zwolle'

The jury: 'This reel takes you through Zwolle via a selection of vintage boutiques and shops. A surprising angle that lets you experience the city differently. Nice practical tips.'

The review

All entries were judged by the jury against a number of criteria, including storytelling, design & image, practicality and sustainability in a broad sense.

About Travel PRESSentation and Dutch Travel Media Awards

Travel PRESSentation and Dutch Travel Media Awards are an initiative of Baltus Communications and CommuniGate Marketing & PR, two PR agencies specialising in the tourism sector. Travel PRESSentation 2025 attracted 26 participating organisations and showed once again how valuable personal encounters are in a time when travel journalism is rapidly digitising and the media landscape is in flux. Whatever medium you choose, an authentic travel story remains valuable. Partly for this reason, the Dutch Travel Media Awards were created and to reward professionalism, inspiration and quality within the Dutch-language travel media.

Travel PRESSentation has been a leading media event in tourism since 2002. Every year, the event brings dozens of national and international destinations, tourism boards and travel brands together with travel media, journalists,bloggers and content creators from the Netherlands and Belgium. Besides the Dutch edition, there has also been a Belgian edition for several years.

 
www.dutchtravelmediaawards.nl