The move comes only months after the launch of the brand's interactive website and weekly webletter and will see the readership of the title grow from some 8 000 subscribers to a continuously growing database of webletter subscribers - currently at 23 423.
The digizine, a digital version of the print title that traces its roots back to 1935, is already available on the website, but will in future be sent electronically to the webletter database on the first Monday of every month.
“The growth in visitors to the Hotel & Restaurant website and webletter recipients has been astounding,” said Hotel & Restaurant's editor, Andrew Moth. “Now we are going to send - to anyone who requests it - a digizine of the entire monthly print edition. Readers in remote parts of South Africa where the postal service may be unreliable or who mislay their copies will be able to receive the complete magazine in their inboxes.”
He emphasised that those who currently receive the print version will continue to do so - the introduction of the digizine is as an additional source of information, not a replacement. “We are not taking anything away. We know how highly readers of the printed issue of Hotel & Restaurant regard the magazine, because they tell us so.”
Opt-in subscribers to the digizine will ensure greater exposure for advertisers' products and services and give them exposure in new, emerging markets, said Hotel & Restaurant publisher and national sales manager, Bradley Kantor.
“We are doing everything we can to extend our advertisers' message to as many industry leaders and decision-makers as possible in this tough economic climate. This exciting new move in the digital arena once again highlights why Hotel & Restaurant is the market leader.”
