For the second year running, Rail Europe has launched the much awaited Rail Europe Connexion campaign. A true success, both with the partners involved and with the audience, the campaign comprises a magazine and a spin-off website.

 Rail Europe Connexion magazine – The 2013 edition of the Rail Europe Connexion magazine has a circulation of 2.3 million copies, from February to the beginning of May 2013 in 14 markets, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Thailand, Brazil, Argentina, UAE and South Africa. The magazine is published in 7 languages – English, Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Thai, Spanish and Portuguese. They have been inserted in more than 35 top-end tourism and lifestyle publications, including Figaro Madame in Japan, Lonely Planet in Korea, India, and Singapore, etc.

Rail Europe Connexion website – www.raileuropeconnexion.com is a detailed version of the magazine, with inside tips, more inspiring photos and the possibility to book online. The website is available in 7 languages. The www.raileuropeconnexion.com website is directly connected to Rail Europe’s merchant website, allowing visitors to directly book the perfect train ticket.

This ambitious campaign answers a strong need and is the first of its kind to offer train itineraries throughout all Europe. These varied itineraries are dedicated to several countries, regions and cities. From Europe’s untouched wilderness to the iconic capitals and famous cities, all Europe is inside!

The Rail Europe Connexion campaign is developed thanks to a strengthened collaboration with more than 75 European destination partners including cities, regions, national tourist offices as well as railways and private partners – all convinced by the comfort and efficiency of train travel in Europe!

Aimed at being inspirational for travellers planning to visit Europe, the content of the magazine has been elaborated to help them design their itineraries and ease their stay’s arrangements. Remarkable landmarks (including UNESCO World Heritage sites), gastronomy and shopping are emphasized.

“A lot of travellers wishing to visit the heart of European regions rely exclusively on rail travel, and it is hard for them to define a clear itinerary and what is accessible to them,” said Xavier Theret, Marketing Director of Rail Europe. “With www.raileuropeconnexion.com they get all elements they need: Places connected to each other, time duration of each journey, things to do within one day, and the possibility to book the appropriate rail ticket directly online. It is the perfect rail planning tool!”
In India 2,00,000 copies were distributed  with B2C publications like  Outlook Travel, Lonely Planet Magazine India, Conde Nast Traveller, Marie Claire and Time Out magazines. Connexion 2013 was distributed only along with the subscriber base of these magazines with the aim of maximising the reach. All magazines that were meant for the Indian market were distributed, except a small number of 10,000 that will be used at trainings, roadshows and workshops.

The success of the Rail Europe campaign continuously leads new partners to join it, hence enriching the content of the website, now covering Europe’s nooks and crannies.

 

Source : Hemchandra