Like Their Audience, Lonely Planet Guides Change
March 18, 2008. For Baby Boomers and Gen Xers, luxury vacation rentals have replaced motels. It should be no surprise, then, that Lonely Planet Guides have also changed to reflect new preferences. An Associated Press article noted the modern revisions sprouting in many of the ubiquitous books.
In particular, the article noted additions to guides for San Francisco, Chicago and Vancouver.
"The guidebooks also offer more emphasis on shopping, entertainment and moderate to high-end restaurants and hotels than previous editions, with fewer listings for college hangouts, hostels and taco joints," according to the article.
The sea change reflects a established trend toward more luxurious and active traveling. The buying power of the Baby Boomers is unprecedented, and many Gen Xers value travel so much they will sacrifice in other spending areas to enjoy their vacations.
