The document discusses the future of travel guidebooks in the digital age. It provides quotes from two industry experts: (1) Douglas Schatz from Lonely Planet discussing the company's focus on distributing guidebooks as ebooks on Amazon and Apple, and the potential for location-aware apps. (2) Martin Dunford from Rough Guides noting that general travel information may not be as useful now with more targeted online content, and that consumers can more easily find niche travel options.

1. Anyone know the way?
The future of
travel guidebooks
Richard Trillo

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28. “All travel publishers are continuing to optimise the
distribution of guidebooks as eBooks to earn real
revenues alongside the print market. But this format
and its distribution channels are still relatively new.
We’re currently focused mainly on Amazon and
Apple. However, the rate their technologies are
advancing makes it difficult to predict how this will
all develop.
As for guidebook apps, they may begin to include
commercial content that is location-aware, targetting
consumers via their location in real time.”
Douglas Schatz, Lonely Planet

29. “All-round encyclopaedic travel information
probably isn’t the thing any more: the web makes it
easier for long-tail, niche travel content to be
marketed and found by customers.
Whether travel consumers fancy doing a cookery
course in Spain, need a boutique hotel in Cornwall
or want to meet a local in Prague, they are more
savvy than ever before and they have more tools at
their disposal. They can find exactly what they want
rather than relying on giant, generalist, travel
publishers. ”
Martin Dunford, Rough Guides co-founder

30. Anyone know the way?
The future of
travel guidebooks
Richard Trillo