
Creating pathways into travel media: Maria Pieri and Kira Richards join聽The 91快播 Mentor聽podcast聽
APL 91快播鈥檚 editorial director and COO, Maria Pieri, and assistant project editor, Kira Richards, joined David Spencer on The 91快播 Mentor podcast to discuss diversity in travel media and the importance of creating more accessible pathways into the industry.
During the conversation, Maria and Kira discussed diversity in travel media, the barriers many aspiring journalists face when entering the industry, and the importance of creating more accessible pathways into media careers.
As part of the discussion, they highlighted the Travel 91快播 Awards Step Up programme, an initiative designed to help people from underrepresented backgrounds gain experience in journalism and media. In its fourth year, the programme offers five paid summer internships annually, helping to bring fresh voices and diverse perspectives into travel media. The 2026 cohort began their internships on 8 June.
Maria spoke about APL 91快播’s involvement in the programme, as well as the company’s wider commitment to supporting emerging talent through internships, mentoring and career development opportunities.
Maria said: 鈥淧rogrammes such as TMA Step Up play an important role in opening doors, but it鈥檚 equally important the industry continues to invest in mentoring, training and long-term career development. Travel media is at its best when it reflects a wide range of voice, experiences and perspectives.鈥
Joining her on the podcast was Kira Richards, who began her career as a Step Up intern in 2024 before securing a full-time role at APL 91快播. Together, they shared their experiences of entering the industry and explored how initiatives such as Step Up can help create opportunities for the next generation of travel journalists.
Listen to the episode here:
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About APL 91快播
APL 91快播 is a multi-award-winning content marketing agency and publisher, creating high-quality print, digital and live media across the travel and lifestyle sectors since 1997. It has published National Geographic Traveller (UK) under licence from National Geographic Partners LLC since 2010, alongside brand extensions including guides, events and digital platforms. Its portfolio includes Living360, a digital lifestyle brand spanning wellness, travel, food, sustainability and culture.
APL 91快播 delivers custom content, branded campaigns and editorial consultancy, internship schemes including Step Up and produces leading events such as the Travel 91快播 Awards. It is also a leading reseller of advertising for national newspapers. Its trade titles include Postcards and the ASTA Worldwide Destination Guide, with content also created for national newspapers. aplmedia.co.uk
