Spearheaded by the Travel Media Awards, in partnership with APL Media, Finn Partners, Intrepid Travel and TTG Media, Step Up has been launched in response to research highlighting a lack of diversity across travel publishing, journalism and PR.

The scheme, open to anyone aged 18+ who can demonstrate a passion for travel media and identifies as coming from an under-represented group, will be advertised across the UK.

The successful candidates will be invited to participate in a two-month paid internship in London during summer 2024; one month will be spent learning about PR with either Finn Partners or Intrepid Travel, while the other will be spent learning about journalism and publishing with TTG Media or APL Media.

They will also receive a further six months mentoring via Zoom and an invitation to attend the 2024 Travel Media Awards.

Maria Pieri, editorial director of APL Media, said: "The Travel Media Awards is committed to recognising the importance of cultivating and uplifting people from different backgrounds to strengthen the industry by better reflecting the diversity within the UK.

"To this end, we are excited to be launching Step Up with our industry partners and look forward to welcoming applications for this new scheme."

Applicants will be asked to submit a CV and maximum 200-word personal statement explaining why they believe they would be right for one of the two internships.

They will also have to complete a maximum 300-word creative writing task answering the question: What does travel mean to you?

Registration opened on Thursday 9 November, ahead of applications opening on Thursday 30 November. The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on Wednesday 31 January 2024.

Applicants must be UK residents and have the right to work in the UK.

Any businesses wishing to participate in Step Up’s 2025 internship scheme should email info@travelmediaawards.com for more information.