The Now Media group is restructuring its travel publishing division to make its main driver, Natalia Thomson, a shareholder.

Natalia edits Tourism Update Online and its printed sister publication, Southern African Tourism Update. She also edits several other titles, including Travel News Weekly, Business Travel Now and the online dailies. She also launched and edits what in 14 months has become Canada’s most influential travel trade news medium.

Under the arrangement, a new company called Travel & Trade Publishing (Pty) Ltd (TTP) will commence operations on July 1 and will house Now Media’s travel publications based in Africa. Travelinfo is excluded.

Existing contracts will run their course but new advertising contracts will be entered into under the new name and be invoiced separately from other Now Media titles.

Natalia has bought into the new company in an arrangement that will see the Marsh family retain control with David Marsh being executive chairman of TTP.

In the tradition of the founders of the company, Natalia immerses herself in her work. She has recently completed an exchange with the largest trade travel trade publisher in the USA, is addicted to travel experiences and in recent months has travelled to six continents including off-the-track destinations such as climbing in Ecuador, Kilimanjaro and the Otter Trail.
 
Natalia has an MSc in Publishing (Journalism) Cum Laude from Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University, Scotland. She started at Now Media on SA Tourism Update in 2003 as the company’s most junior journalist.