Melbourne-based travel journalist, editor and podcaster Kirstie Bedford has joined Karryon Luxury as a writer and content producer.
With more than 25 years of experience, well-respected travel journalist and editor Kirstie Bedford’s expertise has spanned many verticals in travel communications, including print, digital, radio and podcasting.
She has spent the last two years working for Signature Media, publishers of Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazine. Before that, Kirstie was editor and senior content writer at Luxury Escapes; editor of Arrived magazine, produced in collaboration with The Travel Corporation; and founding editor of Luxury Escapes magazine.
She has also spent more than eight years in communication management positions, including working for Tourism New Zealand, where she managed significant media events, including the world premiere of The Lord of The Rings – The Return of The King.
In mid-2023, Kirstie started Australia’s newest independent travel podcast, The World Awaits. When she’s not writing for work, you can find her quietly working on her crime fiction manuscript or hiking in the Gippsland region.
Katrina Holden, Editorial Director of Karryon Luxury, said of the appointment, “I am so pleased to have Kirstie, an experienced communicator and professional, on board to assist us as we launch Karryon Luxury.
Kirstie’s background is broad, and she brings to the team expertise gained in travel publishing and previous experience working directly for a significant tourism board and a travel wholesaler. She’s also down-to-earth and fun—she will make an excellent addition to team Karryon.”
In her part-time role, Kirstie will contribute luxury editorial features, new stories, and profile pieces, as well as select branded content for Karryon Luxury. Bedford will continue with her freelance work and other projects outside of Karryon.
Kirstie added, “I am thrilled to join Australia’s leading travel trade brand to assist on its new dedicated Karryon Luxury vertical.”
“I have an extensive background in luxury travel, from my early career promoting luxury lodges in New Zealand while working as a media projects manager for Tourism New Zealand to being the founding editor of Luxury Escapes magazine here in Australia. To be able to continue to work in this area is an absolute privilege I do not take for granted.
“The luxury space has evolved over the years, and it is no longer purely about gold taps and thread count. Instead, it’s about the luxury of being in places few have travelled (with a comfortable bed, of course!), treading lightly, immersing ourselves in nature, and uniquely connecting with culture.
These are all areas close to my heart, and I look forward to helping with a more dedicated focus on the luxury sector to enable the industry to capitalise on the vast opportunity premium travel represents,” she said.
To contact Kirstie, please email luxury@karryon.com.au
For luxury brands looking to share their news with us, please note the following core contact addresses:
Newsroom, Mark Harada, Editor: editor@karryon.com.au
Katrina Holden, Editorial Director, Karryon Luxury: Katrina@karryon.com.au and luxury@karryon.com.au
