Backstage - Johnson Publishing Co. purchase of Mahogany Travel Service Inc

Ebony, June, 1991

BACKSTAGE

BLACK Americans constitute one of the fastest-growing segments of the tourist industry, and Johnson Publishing Co., publisher of Ebony, Jet and EM magazines, has broadened its involvement in tourism. Within recent months, we have focused attention on Black Heritage vacations in America and the Caribbean and we have urged the leaders of the travel industry to give deserved recognition to the increasingly large number of Blacks who vacation in Africa, Europe and Asia.

It is against this background and in a climate of heightened international awareness that the company announces the purchase of Mahogany Travel Service, Inc., a full-service travel agency.

Mahogany was bought from the agency's president and founder, Eleanor S. Chatman. A graduate of Eastern Washington State University and a former teacher, the veteran travel expert will continue to serve as manager and consultant of the new subsidiary of Johnson Publishing Co.

Johnson Publishing Co. President Linda Johnson Rice says, "Not only are we enthusiastic about Mahogany Travel becoming a part of the Johnson Publishing family, but we are exceptionally pleased about the professionalism of the agency. We look forward to opening the door to a world of travel opportunities together."

Mahogany, which is located in the Johnson Publishing Co. headquarters in Chicago, is a worldwide travel agency offering a wide spectrum of services for individuals and groups, including domestic and international travel, cruises, tours (including charter bus tours and a Black Big Band Cruise), Amtrak, conventions, and special packages such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Riverboat Gambling excursions. The agency gives special attention to convention packages for churches, sororities and fraternities and numerous other organizations.

Among Mahogany's current travel opportunities are New Orleans Weekend Trips, a Walt Disney World/Bahamas Cruise, an African Holiday to Dakar, Senegal, a Fall tour of Paris and a Hong Kong Shopping Spree. For information on these and other trips, call Mahogany Travel Service, Inc., toll-free at 1-800-543-5368.

Although Mahogany makes complete arrangements to any destination, manager Chatman, who founded African Travel Advisors, says, "We are experts in African travel."

The July issue of Ebony will include a feature story on the African and African-American Summit.

PHOTO : Johnson Publishing Co. President Linda Johnson Rice (r.) welcomes Eleanor S. Chatman, manager of new subsidiary, Mahogany Travel Service.