Agora Media Group Innovation Blog

Last year Lonely Planet launched the Augmented Reality application called Lonely Planet Compass Guides.
Last Sunday -one day after the launch of the iPad- Lonely Planet has released an iPad application named Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Experiences.

Two quotes by the the CEO Matt Goldberg (taken from Travolution):

“The iPad is a ground breaking device that gives us the flexibility to publish content in extraordinary ways we would never have thought possible a year ago,” said Matt Goldberg, Lonely Planet chief executive.

“We are delighted to offer an exciting new product for the launch of iPad and are experimenting restlessly with new technologies and platforms as we build on our strategy to become the world’s leading travel media and services provider.”

The application is inspired on their book with the same name, giving the user a digital experience of the top 1000 places.

(taken from Tnooz)

Once again, it’s interesting to see the innovation within the travel industry and how it’s applied in new business opportunities. The same article by Travolution mentions that the InterContinental Hotels Group is going to equip their concierge teams with iPads. The iPad is a great device in showing visuals to their guests in a new, innovative and portable way.

On Lonely Planet’s corporate level, it’s a decision which fits into their long-term goal. The diffusion of their information, and the easy usage and access will benefit retention amongst their target groups. When iPads become available with non-WiFi Internet connection, the application can be enhanced with User Generated Content on the spot.

If you have an iPad and a traveler, would you buy this application or not? If not, why?