Comments on: Lonely Planet Thinks Travel Writer Is from Hell http://blog.booklistonline.com/2008/04/17/lonely-planet-thinks-travel-writer-is-from-hell/ Behind the Book Reviews--The Official Blog of Booklist Online Sat, 30 Mar 2013 16:38:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Gwyn Lawrence http://blog.booklistonline.com/2008/04/17/lonely-planet-thinks-travel-writer-is-from-hell/comment-page-1/#comment-126948 Gwyn Lawrence Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:18:18 +0000 http://blog.booklistonline.com/2008/04/17/lonely-planet-thinks-travel-writer-is-from-hell/#comment-126948 I own a small (6 room) hotel in Northern Belize. We were visited in February 2008 by the Lonely Planet researcher who was updating the Belize guide. His name is Joshua Samuel Brown, I know this because he presented me with his card which says on it,”Lonely Planet writers and staff do not accept discounts or payments in exchange for positive coverage of any sort”.
He was professional and diligent.
I used to own a bar in Antigua, Guatemala, and it is amazing how many people work for the Lonely Planet and want free drinks. Please do not be so naive that you believe someone is from the Lonely Planet because they say they are.
Having said that, I am sure the Guides vary in quality.
Gwyn Lawrence, Belize, April 27th 2008

]]> By: J Hughes http://blog.booklistonline.com/2008/04/17/lonely-planet-thinks-travel-writer-is-from-hell/comment-page-1/#comment-121826 J Hughes Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:13:27 +0000 http://blog.booklistonline.com/2008/04/17/lonely-planet-thinks-travel-writer-is-from-hell/#comment-121826 For years there has been an ongoing rumble over allegations of edition of LP Thailand having been plagerised by an early author from an experienced Travellers notes.

I live in VietNam, and do business in the travel industry, and have personally witnessed:

(1) A LP writer ensconced in a Pham Ngu Lao, SaiGon, backpacker bar who bought drinks for anyone who could supply detailed anecdotes or experiences of their travels;

(2) I was in Hue during 2007 when an LP updater passed through and in a restaurant where I was eating said that he was from LP and that he wanted to “taste their food” – on a “sample” or “no charge” basis so he would put them in the VietNam guide. I happen to know the owner of the restaurant and he confirmed the expectation of free food;

(3) In Da Lat another LP updater – it’s a long time since they completely re-wrote the guide – in conversation with a hotel owner who voiced anger when asked for a “free room” in exchange for a recommendation in the LP guide.

LP guides are frequently inaccurate and seem to be produced on an annual basis to maintain cash flow.

What possessed the BBC to actually buy into this outfit is beyond my understanding.

There are many VietNam guides and LP is one of the poorest be it the 2008 edition, which contains errors from previous years, or an earlier one.

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