BBC Worldwide buys Lonely Planet

incitatus · Oct 1st, 2007, 21:11

BBC Worldwide buys Lonely Planet

BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, has bought the travel guide publisher, Lonely Planet.

Lonely Planet, founded by husband and wife team Tony and Maureen Wheeler in 1972, publishes around 500 titles that are widely used by backpackers.

The purchase fits in with BBC plans to grow online revenues and expand operations in America and Australia.

Lonely Planet also produces travel programmes and its web site receives 4.3 million visitors a month.

The Wheelers, who owned the business along with John Singleton, will retain a 25% shareholding in the company.

"We felt that BBC Worldwide would provide a platform true to our vision and values,..........

More at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7021791.stm

Two points
1. If you think the Lonely Planet guide is full of inane fawning PC twaddle now, just wait until the BBC's finished with it.

2. I'm glad the Wheelers sold it in order to gain a "platform true to (their) vision and values..." rather than to harvest an enormous wedge of super fat profits.

as it says down the local farm "BEWARE OF THE BULL"

Nick-H · Oct 1st, 2007, 22:51

Quote:

2. I'm glad the Wheelers sold it in order to gain a "platform true to (their) vision and values..." rather than to harvest an enormous wedge of super fat profits.

!

Maybe what the previous owners say is might be written into the agreements for such sales?

CliveG · Oct 1st, 2007, 23:17

That's Michael Palins next book, DVD,film rights etc sorted then .... Round a Lonely Planet in 10 days with Palin, a cameraman, sound engineer, director, producer, guide, translator and groupies. That will keep him in spam for a few weeks.

dhans · Oct 1st, 2007, 23:34

Auh shoot. I could have been much worse. Maby the LP quality is guaranteed now...

Hans

Aishah · Oct 5th, 2007, 17:51

This is news to me! Thanks for posting it, incitatus. Whilst it is a timely posting, in their latest book on India, LP has had a devestating effect on all Fort business - hotels and restaurants.
September saw a complete withdrawal of business there, and many cancellations of bookings have since happened. They recommend only one hotel - Khilla Bhawan- on the strength of their water conservation and disposal operations. When I enquired about this, was told they have a sign on the wall saying guests are only allowed 2 buckets of water for their bath and toilet, not sure if per day. Good to conserve water because this is what is creating the problems with the Fort - too much water seepage and a threat of subsidence. On the other hand, it is hard on those running businesses inside the Fort for years,; this is their only means of livelihood.
Water seepage would not be occurring if a proper sewerage disposal system had been put in place in the first place..corruption has led to nothing significant being done about it for years and now it is rapidly becoming 'too late'.

incitatus · Oct 5th, 2007, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aishah

This is news to me! Thanks for posting it, incitatus. Whilst it is a timely posting, in their latest book on India, LP has had a devestating effect on all Fort business - hotels and restaurants.
.

Unfortunately you'll find the BBC is equally enthusiastic about starving Third World citizens into submission - but it's for their own good.....naturally!!!

Aishah , My interest in Jaisalmer has been reawakened by your posts, this latest has made me determined to revisit.
I haven't been to Jaisalmer since January 1988 so I suspect things may have changed somewhat.

rangers · Oct 6th, 2007, 00:27

It was lonely on top .

SOLD..

No more lonely.

Good news.

Mickey S · Oct 6th, 2007, 01:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by incitatus

If you think the Lonely Planet guide is full of inane fawning PC twaddle now, just wait until the BBC's finished with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by incitatus

Unfortunately you'll find the BBC is equally enthusiastic about starving Third World citizens into submission - but it's for their own good.....naturally!!!

It's depressing just how many people in the UK detest (quite unjustifiably) the BBC and all it (supposedly) stands for. Neither of these statements stands up to any sort of scrutiny whatsoever.

While I have a little trouble in understanding how this acquisition fits into BBC Worldwide's business model, it does on the face of it appear to be a very good move indeed for all travellers.

From The Guardian:

Quote:

John Smith, the chief executive of BBC Worldwide, said that he intended to make 100% of content from Lonely Planet guidebooks available online over 24 months with the most popular going on the web first.

Fears that web publication would damage print sales have held back Lonely Planet's online expansion, but Mr Smith said he believed that there would still be an overriding desire for a "guidebook in the bag" when travelling.

The entire Lonely Planet content online within 24 months... that's going to be excellent for planning those faraway trips.

Nick-H · Oct 6th, 2007, 02:46

...But not as good as IndiaMike!

I tell you what I hate about the BBC, which is nothing to do t
with this thread... they do not write or speak proper English.

I look at the News website almost daily, and click on some of the headlines because I want to know what on earth the headline means.

If the same guys write for lonely planet, it will become incomprehensible.

Mickey S · Oct 6th, 2007, 03:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

...But not as good as IndiaMike!

I tell you what I hate about the BBC, which is nothing to do t
with this thread... they do not write or speak proper English.

I look at the News website almost daily, and click on some of the headlines because I want to know what on earth the headline means.

If the same guys write for lonely planet, it will become incomprehensible.

The BBC News website - like its television counterpart - is unfortunately following the herd in dumbing down. Even Radio 4's flagship Today programme is not as hard-hitting as it used to be, and no longer essential listening in the mornings. I think the BBC is still the best single news resource on the internet, radio and television, though.

And, as far as I am aware, Lonely Planet will be keeping its existing writers and other staff. At the moment, BBC Worldwide's direct involvement is limited to sending three staff to Melbourne to "advise on online strategy".

Aishah · Oct 6th, 2007, 09:03

Apart from LP guides online, looks like any chnges will be very slow.As you say Nick, I agree IM is the most up to date place to find info and also ideas for those out of way places you wouldn't think about. It is an excellent site for navigating, unlike Thorn Tree which I think is one big muddle.(Thanks to my web designer for recommending it!)
Incitatus - you will find huge changes in Jaisalmer -1983 I believe there were only around 4 hotels or places to stay in - now there are hundreds! It has expanded into outlying colonies, and is rapidly (I hope not too rapidly) going to end up like Jodhpur. So far, not the traffic, and you can still walk easily around all main sights.

Oct 1st, 2007, 21:11	#1
incitatus Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Posts: 207	BBC Worldwide buys Lonely Planet BBC Worldwide buys Lonely Planet BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, has bought the travel guide publisher, Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet, founded by husband and wife team Tony and Maureen Wheeler in 1972, publishes around 500 titles that are widely used by backpackers. The purchase fits in with BBC plans to grow online revenues and expand operations in America and Australia. Lonely Planet also produces travel programmes and its web site receives 4.3 million visitors a month. The Wheelers, who owned the business along with John Singleton, will retain a 25% shareholding in the company. "We felt that BBC Worldwide would provide a platform true to our vision and values,.......... More at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7021791.stm Two points 1. If you think the Lonely Planet guide is full of inane fawning PC twaddle now, just wait until the BBC's finished with it. 2. I'm glad the Wheelers sold it in order to gain a "platform true to (their) vision and values..." rather than to harvest an enormous wedge of super fat profits. as it says down the local farm "BEWARE OF THE BULL"

Oct 1st, 2007, 23:34	#4
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,341	Auh shoot. I could have been much worse. Maby the LP quality is guaranteed now... Hans __________________ Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids Stories about our travels in India: Journal

Oct 5th, 2007, 17:51	#5
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 3,657	This is news to me! Thanks for posting it, incitatus. Whilst it is a timely posting, in their latest book on India, LP has had a devestating effect on all Fort business - hotels and restaurants. September saw a complete withdrawal of business there, and many cancellations of bookings have since happened. They recommend only one hotel - Khilla Bhawan- on the strength of their water conservation and disposal operations. When I enquired about this, was told they have a sign on the wall saying guests are only allowed 2 buckets of water for their bath and toilet, not sure if per day. Good to conserve water because this is what is creating the problems with the Fort - too much water seepage and a threat of subsidence. On the other hand, it is hard on those running businesses inside the Fort for years,; this is their only means of livelihood. Water seepage would not be occurring if a proper sewerage disposal system had been put in place in the first place..corruption has led to nothing significant being done about it for years and now it is rapidly becoming 'too late'. __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

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Oct 6th, 2007, 09:03	#11
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 3,657	Apart from LP guides online, looks like any chnges will be very slow.As you say Nick, I agree IM is the most up to date place to find info and also ideas for those out of way places you wouldn't think about. It is an excellent site for navigating, unlike Thorn Tree which I think is one big muddle.(Thanks to my web designer for recommending it!) Incitatus - you will find huge changes in Jaisalmer -1983 I believe there were only around 4 hotels or places to stay in - now there are hundreds! It has expanded into outlying colonies, and is rapidly (I hope not too rapidly) going to end up like Jodhpur. So far, not the traffic, and you can still walk easily around all main sights.

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