First Issue Review – Conde Nast Traveller

Conde Nast Traveller reminds me of IPC’s Eat Soup in a number of ways. It attempts to be both informative and entertaining, so becoming a generalised consumer title covering a niche area; it flatters readers into thinking they are or could be the bone fide item (ie, a chef or restaurant critic in Eat Soup‘s case or an experienced traveller in Conde Nast’s); and finally it seems that, though well-produced and stylish, it is actually a few years a head of its time. We all know what happened to Eat Soup.

Front Cover – Traveller The articles which appear in Conde Nast Traveller can be roughly divided into two camps: those which are informative and aimed at people who actually intend visiting places, and those which appeal to dreamers hoping to win the lottery and jet off to a secret Pacific island. There is nothing wrong with this of course but it could become a “jack-of-all trades and master of none”-type magazine and put both halves of the readership off. It might, on the other hand, appeal to a larger group.

The quality of the product cannot be faulted. Whatever the aim of the items they are all well-written, intelligent and lively. Obviously looking to appeal to an upmarket reader, the layout and design is sleek and attractive. There are large amounts of high-quality pics – both photos and drawings – with some going full-page and double spread. Articles in the first issue cover the Caribbean, safaris, Thailand and South West France in addition to regular food, drink, hotel and beauty/fashion sections.

The ad:ed ratio for this 246-page title is 28:72, with advertisers including Absolut Vodka (four pages), Royal Mail, Gordon’s, Ralph Lauren and Yves Saint Laurent.