Nokia plans to transform travel guides

August 21, 2016

Tourists looking for local attractions or lost in a big city may no longer have to search out the nearest bookshop as travel guides are being made available for mobile download.

In an announcement that could reshape the future of travel, Nokia said this week that it plans to make Lonely Planet travel guides and maps available for download on some of its mobile phones.

Nokia’s deal with Lonely Planet will make information on 100 cities available for download, with plans to add more locations in the future.

Each download will cost €7.99 or $13.99 and will provide users with maps, directions, and information on sites of tourist interest.

The Lonely Planet guides are an upgrade to the Nokia Maps service which was launched in February and currently includes maps by Navteq and TeleAtlas, and guides from Berlitz.

Users can download the guides using the Extras menu on phones with a Nokia Map Loader, or using a PC.

Lonely Planet CEO Stephen Palmer said the deal was ‘genuinely transformational’ to the art of travel.

Lonely Planet has headquarters in the UK, the US and Australia, and employs over 360 travel writers and researchers.