|
TheBuzz
Erika Engle
|
TravelHost visitor publication returns to Hawaii after 2-year hiatus
TRAVELHOST magazine, an in-room visitor publication with distribution of 1.2 million copies nationwide, has resurfaced in Hawaii after an absence of at least two years.
The husband-and-wife team of Kevin and Mun Sok Geiger, who moved to Waikoloa on the Big Island from Texas in May, put their first issue in 2,500 Big Island hotel rooms in September and will distribute the next issue of the quarterly magazine next week.
The magazine is in "a mix of time-share condo, hotel and resort properties," on both sides of the island, as well as the Palms Cliff House bed and breakfast in Honomu, north of Hilo, said Kevin Geiger, associate publisher. He is essentially the Big Island franchisee for Dallas, Texas-based TravelHost Inc.
Higher-profile properties that carry the publication include the Kona Village Resort and the Hilton Grand Vacations Club, as well as the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort in Hilo. The magazine is also given to Hertz Gold Club cardholders upon arrival.
The Geigers recently started a marketing partnership with Travel Graphics, a Minnesota-based company that produces travel maps, among other things.
Its products are distributed statewide so the relationship "is a great fit for us," Geiger said.
Kauai-based radio station group owner George Hochman got out of the TravelHost and unrelated Real Estate Book publishing business a couple years back to focus on his growing broadcast empire.
"There were way too many (visitor) magazines -- way, way, way too much competition," he said. The Real Estate Book faced less competition, but was another publication that took energy and effort away from his radio endeavors, he said.
TravelHost makes its money on the printing of each market's magazines, Hochman said.
"You pick it up locally and pay for the printing in Dallas," Hochman said.
"As an associate publisher, you make your money on ad sales. For the right person, it's a great deal."
Kevin worked for a friend's dad back in the Lone Star State.
"We sold plastics in five states."
He is officially the only person your columnist has ever spoken with who went into the line of work recommended to Dustin Hoffman's character Benjamin Braddock in the 1967 movie "The Graduate."
Mun Sok Geiger is the editor, writes for the magazine and coordinates other editorial content with contributors. She majored in journalism in college but most recently sold oncology-related pharmaceuticals for Johnson & Johnson in Texas.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin. Call 529-4747, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached at:
eengle@starbulletin.com