Gourmet Traveller looks to China and Hong Kong in renewed tourism publishing play

Are Media is taking Gourmet Traveller into mainland China and Hong Kong in 2027, with plans to publish a Mandarin-language edition of its flagship Restaurant of the Year issue as it looks to connect Australian tourism and hospitality brands with international travellers.

The initiative forms part of the publisher's broader international expansion strategy, which also includes a new offering through marie claire designed to help Australian brands reach consumers across 32 markets.

Announced at Are Media's Language of Luxury presentation in Sydney, the move will see Gourmet Traveller's Restaurant of the Year edition published in Mandarin and distributed in selected regions of mainland China and Hong Kong.

The publication will target prospective visitors to Australia, creating new commercial opportunities for tourism bodies, hotels, restaurants and hospitality operators seeking to reach Chinese-speaking travellers before they arrive.

The initiative marks a return to Chinese-language publishing for Gourmet Traveller, which has previously produced content for the market. But this is the first time in more than a decade it is revisiting the initiative in line with inbound tourism. The print issue will run alongside a range of digital content.

It's an interesting move for a legacy Australian publishing brand, using its editorial focus on food and travel to reach an international audience at the point where holiday inspiration can influence destination and spending decisions.

Beyond Gourmet Traveller, Are Media is also looking to connect Australian advertisers with overseas consumers through marie claire Passport.

The offering will give Australian brands with international commerce capabilities access to marie claire's global network spanning 32 markets, using premium editorial environments to build awareness and support expansion.

Together, the initiatives signal a push to turn Are Media's international publishing relationships into commercial opportunities for Australian advertisers, particularly those targeting consumers beyond the domestic market.

Nicky Briger, Are Media's general manager of luxury, said the publisher was expanding its offering through international growth opportunities, memberships and experiences.

"Our brands have spent decades earning the trust of discerning audiences and building relationships with the world's most prestigious brands," Briger said. "That trust has commercial value."

The international initiatives sit alongside new domestic revenue streams, including Club GT, a paid Gourmet Traveller membership offering exclusive content and curated experiences, and an expanded program of events and commercial partnerships.

Are Media is also extending its Are Visible AI discovery offering to luxury advertisers, helping brands understand how they appear in AI-generated recommendations.

The publisher outlined its 2027 plans at a presentation to local and international luxury brands at Sydney's Shell House on Tuesday.