Dutch Travel Media Awards return for second edition

The Dutch Travel Media Awards will return on Oct. 29, 2026, in Maarssen, Netherlands, with entries open through Aug. 14 and nominees due Sept. 18. The contest aims to spotlight stronger Dutch-language travel storytelling across five categories, with winners receiving trophies and Thule luggage sets.

Why it matters: - The Dutch Travel Media Awards aim to give Dutch-language travel journalism and content creation a dedicated stage. - The awards push back against travel content that is built around quick clicks and listicles instead of original reporting and storytelling. - Winners receive recognition that can help travel writers, editors and creators stand out in a crowded media market.

What happened: - The Dutch Travel Media Awards will be presented for the second time on Oct. 29, 2026, in Maarssen, Netherlands. - Baltus Communications and CommuniGate PR & Marketing launched the awards in 2025. - Entries close on Aug. 14, 2026. - Nominees will be announced on Sept. 18. - Entries can be submitted via the entry form.

The details: - Five categories are open for judging: Best Print Article; Best Online City Story; Best Online Europe Story; Best Online Story Outside Europe; and Best Social Media Content. - The print category covers text and photography. - The online story categories accept text with photos or video. - The social category covers story series, reels and short-form video. - An independent jury will judge the entries. - Hanita van der Meer, head of communications at ANVR, chairs the jury. - Ron Peereboom Voller, former editor-in-chief of Reiskrant Telegraaf and RonReizen, is on the jury. - Sara van Geloven, former editor-in-chief of Lonely Planet Netherlands and now with Polarsteps, is on the jury. - Kirsten Jassies joins the panel this year to judge the social media category. - Each winner receives a Dutch Travel Media Award and a luggage set from Thule Group. - Red Online Marketing, Media Info Groep and PR-Dashboard support the 2026 edition.

Between the lines: - The awards are positioned as a counterweight to the speed-first incentives that shape much online travel media. - The jury mix suggests the contest is trying to balance editorial experience, travel-industry perspective and social media expertise. - The addition of a dedicated social media judge reflects the growing importance of short-form storytelling in travel coverage. - Agnes van Duffelen, founder of Baltus Communications and co-initiator of the awards, said good travel writing takes time and craft and that the awards are meant to spotlight that craft.

What's next: - The jury will review submissions after the Aug. 14 deadline. - Organizers will announce nominees on Sept. 18. - Winners will be revealed at the Oct. 29 ceremony in Maarssen. - The awards ceremony will follow Travelpressentation, an annual meeting event for destinations, travel brands and Dutch and Belgian travel media held the same week in Antwerp and Maarssen.

The bottom line: - The Dutch Travel Media Awards are trying to raise the profile of thoughtful travel storytelling in Dutch, and the 2026 edition is widening its reach across print, digital and social formats.