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Conde Nast Traveller to be launched in India

The group is all set to launch Condé Nast Traveller in India by October this year

Condé Nast, the publisher of Vogue and GQ, plans to launch Condé Nast Traveller in India this October. The bi-monthly premium travel magazine will have a cover price of Rs 100 and aims to cater to the affluent Indian reader.

The US based publishing house already publishes two titles - Vogue and GQ, the lifestyle and fashion magazine for women and men, respectively. Both the titles have a cover price of Rs 100.

The target audience of the magazine is above 30, who travels abroad at least two to three times a year and looks for a luxury travel experience.

Conde Nast Traveller to be launched in India
Talking about the new venture, Alex Kuruvilla, managing director, Condé Nast India, says, "With Vogue and GQ already established in India and now the latest launch of Condé Nast Traveller, Condé Nast India now provides advertisers a platform to reach the elusive, discerning and affluent Indian audience."

He adds that with the economy booming, the luxury travel segment is seeing tremendous growth. Condé Nast is bullish on India. "We are encouraged, given the success of Vogue and GQ in the country, adds Kuruvilla.

The Indian edition is the sixth edition of the magazine by the group. The first edition of the magazine was launched in 1987 in the US. Apart from the US and India, the magazine is being published in countries such as the UK, Italy, Spain and Greece.

Conde Nast Traveller to be launched in India
The magazine will have a mix of content which will be lifted from the international editions of the Condé Nast Traveller, while the rest will be generated locally in India to suit the requirements of its TG (target group).

Kuruvilla says that Condé Nast Traveller won't have a direct competition in this space as the magazine is positioned towards the affluent and luxury segment. "We are not a 'budget' or 'backpack' traveller's guide. We are focussed on high quality editorial and production values. At the moment, Condé Nast Traveller is the only magazine in its space that promises to give the luxury travel experience," he adds.

The content mix of the new magazine will be along the lines of the international editions of Conde Nast Traveller, with the content being tailor made for the affluent Indian audience and including luxury destinations, hotels, food and wine, amongst other information that an affluent traveller looks for while planning a trip.

The group has tied up with the Living Media Group of India Today for the distribution of the magazine.

The latest international travel magazine to enter Indian shores is Lonely Planet by Worldwide Media Group. The English travel based magazines in the country include Outlook Traveller, Today's Traveller, Travel Plus, Travel & Leisure and Landscape, amongst others.

"Condé Nast Traveller will be the most respected source on luxury travel experiences. It is the world's most important and authoritative travel publication, with the highest standards of journalism, service and photography. We are delighted to bring it to India," says Nicholas Coleridge, vice-president, Condé Nast International, in an official communiqué.

For the record, Condé Nast publishes 128 magazines across 25 countries.

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