TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Lonely Planet to shutter magazine and non-destination guidebooks
According to the trade publication The Bookseller, Lonely Planet is looking at closing "almost entirely" its operations in London and Melbourne and shuttering its monthly Lonely Planet Magazine.
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Lonely Planet travel guidebooks on display in a book fair in Turin, Italy on May 9, 2019. (Shutterstock/Antonello Marangi)
After airlines, hotels and cruises, the world of travel publishing is also taking a hard hit from COVID-19.
According to the trade publication The Bookseller, Lonely Planet is looking at closing "almost entirely" its operations in London and Melbourne and shuttering its monthly Lonely Planet Magazine.
While they will continue to publish destination guidebooks, LP's "inspirational" titles, which include children's books and themed books, will also get the axe.
"Due to the impact of Covid-19 on demand and sales, Lonely Planet has made the difficult decision to reduce its publishing operations for the foreseeable future. Lonely Planet will continue to publish guidebooks and phrasebooks," reads a statement from the company.
Lonely Planet was founded in 1973 by Australian couple Tony and Maureen Wheeler and went on to become one of the world's leading travel media brands.
Read also: 7 chilling books about virus outbreaks you should take a sniff at
In 2007, the brand was sold to the BBC. It is now owned by American media company NC2 Media, based in Tennessee.
On March 12, LP CEO Luis Cabrera posted a message to readers about LP's editorial pivot during the health pandemic.
"While we keep you informed, we also invite you to continue to dream about the wonders of the world and prepare to travel when the time is right. We are writing some great stories to keep you inspired and entertained while at home," wrote LP CEO Luis Cabrera in a message to readers on March 12.
"I personally love our recent wildlife webcams article, spotting animals for a few minutes was a much-needed distraction and a good reminder of how wonderful nature can be. We look forward to helping you realize travel plans very soon, and we'll continue working to be prepared for this point too."
