Back in 1994, a meetings magazine publisher named George Lowden saw an opportunity. Having sold his magazine titles a few years prior, he got a little itchy. Investigating various travel markets, he saw an opportunity in the underserved group leader marketplace and started a magazine titled Senior Group Travel.
I met George on a trip to Ireland in 1999. He was a traveling journalist onboard a bank travel club leader fam I was hosting. We immediately hit it off and shared a few Guinnesses during that tour. Our relationship blossomed with the rosy article he wrote upon returning to the States, and it produced for our tour company new group bookings from his readers.
Taking a page directly out of the Victor Kiam playbook, I liked the product so much I bought the company!
While I can’t say the rest is history, it is certainly a work in progress. We put a lot of effort into making Leisure Group Travel the best magazine, website and e-newsletter in the group travel marketplace and are always refining our approach and coverage. Here are a few things we have in store for 2018.
Latest & Greatest
There’s a lot of tourism developments happening around the country and across the globe. As a travel planner it’s tough keeping up with the flurry of information. Seeking to enhance our news coverage, we’ve created regional sections titled Latest & Greatest that feature items culled from hundreds of press releases, newsletters and personal visits by our editorial team. This section is both in the print magazine and on the home page of LeisureGroupTravel.com.
Special Sections and Custom Publishing
At the same time, we’re striving to create more in-depth content on important destinations. Our custom publishing team has created brand new travel guides for Minnesota, Wisconsin and Indiana, all launched within the past 60 days. These stand-alone publications provide in-depth destination articles, sample itineraries and travel tips that make new trip planning a cinch.
In-magazine we are enhancing our special section coverage. This month we promote the culinary prowess of New Orleans and Ohio with a series of focused articles on different aspects of the culinary experience in each destination. Watch for more of these as the year progresses.
Don’t Forget to Visit Us Online
There’s always something new at LeisureGroupTravel.com! Everything from the print magazine is repurposed in full digital format, plus regular columns on the cruise market, interviews, itineraries and Site InSpections – it’s where your online planning should start.
2018 marks the 23rd consecutive year that our magazine has been in circulation. From rather humble beginnings it has developed into the best read magazine and website in the industry. This obviously is on you – you’re why we’re here, doing what we’re doing.
Thank you for picking up the first edition of Leisure Group Travel for 2018! Much success in the coming year.
