From a business perspective, this doesn’t surprise me. However, having just read Unlikely Destinations, it shocks me. There was a lot of discussion about the evolution of the company and the long process of deciding who would buy out Frank’s stake, and now it goes to a corporation. While I’m not sure how much this is going to change LP itself, I don’t think it bodes well for the independent feel. I suppose it remains to be seen what changes the BBC will implement.

TravelNewsGuide certainly seems to feel the changes will be for the worse with their headline, “BBC takes over Lonely Planet guidebooks.” I don’t feel it’s that dire even though it is a 75% stake. I’d like to hope that part of the reason for the BBC’s interest in LP is the existing product and the audience it reaches. I do think it’s interesting that Tony Wheeler uses the phrase selling out. I wonder if Unlikely Destinations/Once While Travelling was meant to be a final hurrah for he and Maureen?

Should be interesting…