About Caribbean Vacation News

Caribbean Vacation News.com is published by Kahn Travel Communications, an 18 year-old marketing consulting company launched in 1990 by Richard S. Kahn, founder and president.  Kahn, at that time, had just retired as Editor and Associate Publisher of Travel Agent Magazine after 15 years at the helm of the industry’s leading news magazine. 

The company has remained small, with only 10 employees, but draws upon freelance writers, editors and public relations and marketing specialists from around the world.

Kahn Travel Communications performs three types of services including:

1. Editorial and publishing services -- writing, editing, layout and production of newsletters for both travel trade and consumers, and editorial creation, promotion and production of advertorial sections for consumer newspapers, magazines and websites.  KTC counts among its regular freelance contributors some of the top travel writers and photographers in the world.

2. Marketing consulting and strategic planning -- participation in strategic marketing and planning with research, analysis for travel related companies and general assistance in creation of an organized marketing program including public relations, promotions and advice on advertising.

3. Public Relations under the banner of KTCpr -- which provides publicity creation, support and implementation of public relations programs for hospitality, travel and tourism companies and organizations including development of special promotions and design of promotional products for distribution to both travel trade and consumers.

Richard S. Kahn

Richard S. Kahn is president of Kahn Travel Communications and KTCpr, an 18 year-old marketing, public relations and publishing consulting company.  But, he is more than just the president of the firm.  He is an industry veteran, an advisor and consultant to many companies as well as other travel industry executives.  He also is a publishing consultant, and a sought-after speaker at hospitality and travel industry conferences and events.

Recent speaking engagements include:

►International Hotel & Restaurant Show in New York on “Marketing in a Recovery Economy”

►Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) on the use of public relations to support sales

►Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) annual conference on expanding resort marketing in the online universe

►American Resort Development Association (ARDA) annual conference on development of mixed use resorts

►Caribbean Tourism & Hotel Industry Investment Conference on the benefits of timesharing in the Caribbean

►Interval International Investment Conference on what developers need to know before proceeding to fund projects

►Cornell, New York Tech and the Academy for Travel & Tourism courses on “How to do Public Relations” and “Getting Over the Fear of Public Speaking”

Among Kahn’s early clients were several newspapers and trade publications for which he produced special sections on the Caribbean region, including: The New York Times, Newark Star Ledger, Trenton Times, Recommend Magazine, Travel Holiday, US News & World Report and USA Today. 

For nearly 14 years he worked with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) handling communications and public relations for the entire region.  He also sits on the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) since 1984 and was honored by the Caribbean hotels as the Allied Member of the Year in 2000.

Prior to joining Travel Agent Magazine, Kahn was an editor at the prestigious Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine.  He began his journalism career in daily newspapers and radio news.

Here is a brief on his travel career:

25 years as travel industry writer and past president of the New York Travel Writers Association (NYTWA) and vice chairman of the Society of American Travel Writers Association New York Chapter (SATW).

Past President of the Board of Directors for the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) “Big Apple” Chapter where he was also Editor of “Roomers,” the Chapter newsletter for eight years.

General Conference Chairman for the HSMAI International Sales & Marketing Summit 2000, held in New York City in July 2000.

Member of the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) since 1984 where he has developed educational programs and seminars for the membership including the annual Allied Breakfast which served as an entertaining and informative forum for Caribbean hoteliers.

Chairman of the American Resort Development Association’s (ARDA) Caribbean Committee since 1995 and member of the Publications Review and Communications Committees.

Member of the Board of Trustees for the Caribbean Hospitality Training Institute since 1980 where he did seminars on marketing to hoteliers.

Past Chairman (twice) of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) New York Chapter and member of the International Marketing Committee and current NY Chapter Board Member and Publicity Chairman.

Radio talk show host for travel shows on major New York Metropolitan area talk radio stations.

Kahn is married, has three sons and the companionship of his best friend Leelu, an eight-year old Australian Shepherd-Samoyed mix.