SYDNEY, Aug. 25--MediaNet International-AsiaNet/InfoQuest Fairfax General Magazines, a division of the Australian Stock Exchange listed John Fairfax Holdings Limited, will publish the world’s leading travel magazine, Travel + Leisure, in Australia. This will be the first time a Travel + Leisure title is to be published in an English speaking country outside the US. Travel + Leisure Australia will regularly feature the hottest overseas—including Asian—destinations, and the latest in food and wine, fashion, driving adventures, art and culture. Fairfax and luxury lifestyle magazine publisher American Express Publishing Corporation agreed in February to launch Travel + Leisure magazine in the Australian market. The first issue will be published on September 19, 2005 and thereafter 10 times a year. Travel + Leisure Australia will be available nationally in Australia by subscription and sale at newsstands. Total circulation is expected to reach above 80,000 copies a month. The cover price will be AUD$7.95. A selection of American Express’s highest spending credit card holders will also receive a complimentary copy of the magazine each month. Anthony Dennis, the magazine’s editor said, “Travel + Leisure Australia is committed to editorial integrity, independence and accuracy. We value honesty and authenticity and will deliver it to our readers.” Each year, more and more Australians travel overseas—more than four million did so in 2004. Of those, 824,860 travelled to South East Asia—notably to Indonesia and Thailand.1 Peter Bakker, a former Financial Times executive, arrived in Sydney from Hong Kong in June this year to run the magazine, in the role of associate publisher. Bakker is the former Financial Times circulation and marketing director for Asia Pacific. In that role, he ran sales, marketing, production, distribution and customer service operations. Announcing the launch, Bakker said, “Travel + Leisure Australia is the perfect advertising vehicle for Asian airlines, hotels, resorts and tourism operators hoping to attract affluent and sophisticated Australian travellers. Our readers are confident travellers with the desire and resources to explore and experience exotic destinations.” Potential Travel + Leisure Australia advertisers can contact Mimi Cullen, the magazine’s national advertising manager. People with potential news items can contact the editor. To interview Peter Bakker or Anthony Dennis please contact Kath Eggleston on +61 2 9955 7877 or +61 (0) 408 408 562. --ENDS-- About Travel + Leisure Australia Travel + Leisure is the world’s leading travel magazine. The magazine for travellers not tourists, the Australian edition will showcase the finest travel writing and photography, from home, the region and the rest of the world. The magazine covers food, wine, fashion and motoring. Travel + Leisure Australia is published by Fairfax General Magazines, a division of John Fairfax Holdings Limited and is available through subscription and from newsagents. For further information please contact: Kathleen Eggleston Red Agency T: +61 2 9955-7877 mobile: +61 (0) 408 408 562 E: [email protected] 1 Source: the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Overseas Arrivals & Departures (year to December 2004) SOURCE: Travel + Leisure Australia --Distributed by AsiaNet (www.asianetnews.net)--