Lonely Planet travel guide

Lonely Planet is the world's most recognizable travel media brand, founded in 1973 by Maureen and Tony Wheeler. The brand began as a self-published booklet titled Across Asia on the Cheap, written at the couple's kitchen table in Melbourne, Australia, following an epic overland trip from London. Over the following decades, it grew into a global empire, defining budget and independent travel for generations of backpackers.

Ownership of the brand has shifted significantly since the late 2000s. The Wheelers sold a majority stake to BBC Worldwide in 2007, completing the full sale in 2011. In 2013, the BBC sold the company at a loss to Tennessee-based NC2 Media. Most recently, in December 2020, Lonely Planet was acquired by Red Ventures, an American media conglomerate. Under Red Ventures, the brand has shifted focus toward a digital-first strategy and affiliate ecosystems, though it continues to publish its iconic physical guidebooks. Manufacturing of the physical books occurs in multiple countries, often localized to regions like the UK, USA, and Australia via various distribution partners such as Hachette or local printers.