Articles tagged “lonely planet”

This is an industry in flux, in which some traditional players will disappear, some will get stronger, and new and innovative voices will emerge.

Destination content and guides in mobile are still very hard, no one model has broken out, and a mix of apps targeting locals -- through utility -- and travelers -- through content -- seems to be the way to go. Larger players like Lonely Planet and others are now focusing on ebooks and mobile as a marketing channel.

Lonely Planet deserves a partner that sees the brand's potential and isn't hampered by the layers of bureaucracy that came with BBC ownership.

BBC is taking the heat of a £80m loss in the office and very publicly online, which could lead to guide book acquisitions be approached with greater caution in the future. What are your thoughts on the sale?

BBC Worldwide and Lonely Planet moved too slowly on digital, failed on mobile, and didn't anticipate the very rapid decline of guidebook after Kindle and e-readers took off. BBC Trust is right to criticize.

The most recognizable travel brand in the world just sold for less than half of what it was worth two years ago despite growing revenues. Here's hoping the new ownership will be able to better harness the brand's tremendous value.

Lonely Planet has built a dedicated, engaged audience around the world by mixing big brand initiatives and projects tailed at specific audiences.

This sale is a headscratcher, but BBC was keen on finding a buyer and looks like Kelley is the most price-elastic buyer it could find. Remains to be seen how the travel market and LP's shrinking-but-loyal userbase responds to this sale.

Professionally created guides will always have a place in the traveler's toolkit, but they aren't going to be limited to paper any more and the next generation of guidebook brands will need to make the business work sooner rather than later.