Lonely Planet magazine renamed Lonely Planet Traveller

Lonely Planet magazine has been given a new look and a new name – Lonely Planet Traveller.

The title is one of the former BBC magazines now published by Immediate Media and was launched in 2008.

Circulation was steady in the second half of last year at 60,000.

Here’s the press release:

In a major revamp, Lonely Planet’s monthly travel magazine has been re-named Lonely Planet Traveller, and comes in a new larger size with sophisticated new fonts and colours throughout.

The first issue of the redesigned Lonely Planet Traveller, which costs £3.80, goes on sale 19 July. The issue comes with a free San Francisco Pocket Guide.

The award-winning monthly title is owned by BBC Worldwide and contract-published by Immediate Media Co. This is the magazine’s first redesign since its launch in 2008.

The new look magazine has been given a comprehensive cover-to-cover revamp, including new fonts throughout, a pared-down colour palette, a revised flat plan and new content and sections.

Editor Peter Grunert says: ‘Since our launch in November 2008, we’ve grown to become the UK’s most actively-purchased travel magazine, we’ve been named Travel Publication of the Year in the Travel Press Awards for a record three years running, and we are now a global magazine brand. Our redesign emphasises Lonely Planet’s heritage and its unique and unrivalled network of contributors around the world, including over 300 Lonely Planet guidebook authors.”

The cover has been given a dynamic, high-impact new look and a separate version has been created for subscriber editions.

The redesign clearly defines and signposts the magazine’s regular features including:

·         Postcards: interactive section which showcases readers’ holiday photos and stories

·         Our Planet: topical travel news and insights from Lonely Planet’s writers, photographers, BBC correspondents and readers

·         10 Easy Trips: seasonal and original ideas for short breaks

·         Features: beautifully photographed and atmospherically written features from around the world, expertly researched with honest advice and practical maps.

·         Armchair Traveller: previews and reviews of the latest travel TV, films, radio, books, apps and exhibitions

·         6 free Mini Guides: Practical pull-out pocket guides to favourite destinations, each offering ideas on a theme.

In the August issue, AA Gill reveals his love for small-town America, Ken Hom explains why Szechuan peppers are his favourite souvenir, and Travel Photographer of the Year Louis Montrose presents a photo-story on Burma at a moment of great change. Meanwhile, the new ‘Armchair Travel’ section recommends travel-related TV, films, books and apps.

There are ambitious plans to roll-out the new magazine simultaneously in China as well as the UK, with other licensed territories adopting the new design later this year. China will be its 11th international version, and a German edition is also in the pipe-line for the future.

The magazine remains the UK’s number one actively-purchased travel title and, in under four years, has seen sensational circulation growth to 60,125 (ABC Jul-Dec 2011) and attracted loyal subscribers. The magazine brand branched into the app market this year with its first ever iPad app, Dream Trips (from iTunes, £3.99), and has also produced two ‘bookazines’, based on its best magazine features.