The launch of a few new travel magazines will give Indian travellers a lot more reading options in 2010.
India’s travel magazine space has been dominated by very few players for a long time. One look at the news-stands makes it evident that Outlook Traveller has remained a leading player with very little competition from other players. Yes, there are other magazines that have survived for a long time, but rarely seem to have made a pan-India presence and survived for a long period. There are many other magazines like India Today Travel Plus, Discover India, Incredible India that can be seen on the stands but never really gained popularity as Outlook Traveller did. Many have come and gone too, such as Go Now and Taste and Travel.
If the reaction to Lonely Planet’s recently launched travel magazine is anything to go by, Outlook Traveller may soon have some competition for the top position. I went from news stand to news stand asking for copies of Lonely Planet Magazine, only be told that they are all sold out. It is too early to speak of success, as it could just be an initial curiosity to a new launch from a well known publication. However, LP’s successful launch has indicated that it is going to be a contender for the top position.
Another major publisher that will be entering India soon is Conde Nast Traveller. Conde Nast is one of the reputed publications in the US, and Conde Nast Traveller is one of their popular magazines. CNT is known for its well researched stories that engage the keen reader, which may help it stand a cut above the rest. However, it still needs to be seen how their India edition will be.
At a time when most travel magazines are finding it tough to survive in the US and shutting down (National Geographic Adventure magazine was one of the recent victims), the trend seems to reversing in India. Just when these biggies are arriving in India, I am also seeing more travel related magazine hitting the stands. Among them is a magazine focuses exclusively on historical destinations. There are other magazines that have come out recently with focus on business travellers and Indians travelling abroad. A publishing house based in Delhi I know is on its way to launching a new magazine called Terrascape, which focuses on experiential travel articles.
It seems to be a boom time in Indian Travel Industry.