alan-ramsay-getaway-magazine

Jennie: What inspired you to start Getaway magazine?

Alan Ramsay: About 25 years ago, I was at a Nissan new model launch at Sun City when Bill Taylor, managing director of Firestone South Africa, came up to me and complimented CAR magazine, which we also publish, on a particularly outstanding article of some nature.   I scratched my head to try to recall what we had run on “tyres”, only for Bill to say that it was the travel article titled “Poorts and Passes of the Little Karoo”, written by David Steele as part of a series.   I said to my wife “if a man like Bill at his income level is so interested in an off-the-beaten-track story like that, maybe there is a bigger market out there for such content?”    We did some quick “desk-top” research, discovering in particular that the Reader’s Digest book “Off the beaten track” was their fastest-selling annual of all their many publications,   This confirmed our thinking – and the rest is history:   David Steele came on board as editor and made a big contribution to a winning formula which today encompasses website, shows, events, blogs, books, digital mobizine etc etc.

Jennie: I started reading travel magazines about 15 years ago and Getaway has always seemed to be ahead of other Travel magazines with regard to destination content, why is this?

Alan Ramsay: Getaway provides good, in-depth advice, along with great photography, and a writing style that has wide appeal!   And a lot of very hard work coupled with much enthusiasm by a great team of people over the years.
Jennie: RamsayMedia has integrated the internet, travel shows and a book as part of the Getaway portfolio is that because print media is feeling the squeeze within the travel industry?

Alan Ramsay: Print media is feeling the squeeze in most of the industries and reader markets served by magazines – and it is not just in South Africa.   On the other hand, traditional magazines, especially special-interest magazines, serve markets that want “entertainment, education and information”  in more than just magazine format:   these markets read books at a leisurely pace, they require fast facts, advice and information via the internet, they enjoy going to shows where they can meet marketers face to face or “kick tyres”, they attend events where they interact with experts and learn more about their hobbies and interests.   We are simply moving with the times – and in some areas are ahead of our readers!

Jennie: I would like to thank you for the years of content, inspiration and information I have gleaned from Getaway Magazine.

Alan Ramsay: A pleasure, Jennie:   I hope we keep you interested in what we are doing!

Jennie: I am sure you will, you always have and that need not change!

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