Travel publisher Signature Media has finalised the purchase of Vacations & Travel magazine from US-based Morris Media Network.
Established in 1983, Vacations & Travel is the longest-running travel magazine in Australia, and has a strong digital presence through its website and social media platforms.
Until now Signature Media has focused on family and high-end travel markets. However, with the acquisition of Vacations & Travel, it will now cater to everyone.
Signature Media publishes Holidays with Kids, Signature Luxury Travel & Style, Five Star Kids (now The LUXE Edit), and annual magazines Caravan & Camping with Kids and Ski & Snowboard with Kids. It also publishes a weekly update for specialist advisors in the luxury travel space, LATTE Luxury News.
Cathy Wagstaff, CEO and Group Editor, said: “The acquisition of Vacations & Travel magazine gives advertisers the opportunity to reach a much larger market, targeting different age groups and travel types, from cost-conscious travellers up to the discerning high-end luxe connoisseur and everyone in between.
“Vacations & Travel will fit very neatly into the Signature family, as will the existing editorial team headed by Jac Taylor and the digital team consisting of Anya Vokhmyakova and Eliza Velk. Helen Hayes, who has 14 years of history in various editorial roles with Vacations magazine, will return to the team as Editor-at-Large.
“We look forward to working together on this highly regarded travel title that has been on the shelves of newsagents and delivered to loyal subscribers for 37 years.”
Jac Taylor, the Editor of Vacations, adds: “I have to admit, I was ecstatic to hear that it might be Signature Media acquiring Vacations & Travel, and I’m beyond happy that they’ve chosen to retain not just me, but Anya and Eliza – both such great core team members! I give my heartfelt thanks (to Cathy) for believing in us and in what we know is a quality and much-loved magazine.”
Travel magazine publishing plans during COVID-19
Given the current coronavirus crisis, Signature Media will rest the print title for two issues, publishing the first issue in summer this year.
In the interim, it will continue to publish digital content, focus on strengthening digital channels and will use the downtime to refocus the magazine as well as further fine-tuning its advertising and marketing strategies.
The publisher’s Autumn edition of Holidays with Kids magazine is due to hit newsstands this week. Announcing its release, Signature Media said “While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everybody across the globe and changed our day-to-day lives in many ways, people – especially our children – thrive on hope.
“So, amid the self-isolation and social distancing, Holidays with Kids is also doing our best to keep readers inspired with content looking towards the future and will continue to encourage families to keep their travel dreams alive by bringing the world to them.
“Those of us working in travel and tourism are family too, and the industry will rebound and remain a force for good in the world. Until then, we’re asking our readers to postpone – not cancel – so we all have adventures to look forward to on the other side.”
