Elsewhere Acquisition: Key Details, Impact, and What Comes Next

Lonely Planet's acquisition of Elsewhere marks a significant move in the travel industry. By integrating Elsewhere's bespoke travel planning services, Lonely Planet aims to offer more personalized and community-focused travel experiences. This strategic acquisition underscores Lonely Planet's commitment to modernizing travel planning and supporting local businesses, setting a new standard in the industry.

What Is Elsewhere?

Founded in 2021, Elsewhere specializes in personalized travel planning and unique itineraries crafted by local experts. The company stands out for its commitment to sustainability and positive impact travel, utilizing award-winning and certified local partners. Elsewhere offers 24/7 support and concierge services, ensuring a seamless travel experience. With a high customer satisfaction rating of 4.9, Elsewhere provides off-the-beaten-path experiences that traditional travel planning methods often overlook.

Who Acquired Elsewhere?

Lonely Planet is a leading travel guidebook publisher and a comprehensive source of travel information. The company offers detailed travel guides, personalized travel planning services through "Elsewhere by Lonely Planet," and a wide range of travel-related content, including articles and news. Known for its extensive and reliable guides, Lonely Planet holds a strong reputation in the travel industry, providing valuable information and inspiration to travelers worldwide. Its influence is further bolstered by its ability to connect travelers with local experts for custom itineraries.

When Was Elsewhere Acquired?

Lonely Planet acquired Elsewhere on February 15, 2022. This acquisition came at a time when the travel industry was navigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategic move aligns with Lonely Planet's shift towards offering more curated and personalized travel experiences, leveraging Elsewhere's expertise in bespoke travel planning. This acquisition also reflects broader industry trends of integrating digital solutions to enhance customer experiences and support local communities.

Why Was Elsewhere Acquired?

• Market Expansion: The acquisition of Elsewhere by Lonely Planet represents a strategic move to expand its market presence in the travel planning sector. By integrating Elsewhere's services, Lonely Planet aims to offer more personalized and curated travel experiences, moving away from its traditional reliance on user-generated content. This expansion aims to attract more travelers by providing personalized trip planning services, thereby increasing Lonely Planet's market presence beyond traditional guidebooks.
• Technology Integration: Elsewhere provides tools for users to find tailor-made travel experiences and has a network of local travel partners to assist with itinerary building. This integration of technology into Lonely Planet's offerings enhances its ability to provide customized travel planning services. Lonely Planet plans to integrate Elsewhere's itinerary builder into its own digital platform, making trip planning and booking easier for travelers.
• Competitive Advantage: By acquiring Elsewhere, Lonely Planet gains a competitive edge through the addition of a highly vetted network of local travel partners and advanced travel planning tools. This shift towards more curated and personalized travel services differentiates Lonely Planet from competitors that rely heavily on user-generated content. The focus on connecting travelers with local experts and addressing issues like overtourism also positions Lonely Planet as a responsible and innovative player in the travel industry.

Acquisition Terms

• Acquisition Price: The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
• Payment Method: Not mentioned in the available sources.
• Key Conditions or Agreements:
  • The acquisition closed on January 31.
  • Elsewhere's leadership structure will remain unchanged, with Alexis Bowen and Craig Zapatka continuing as the only two employees.
  • Lonely Planet aims to integrate Elsewhere's itinerary builder into its website.
  • Both companies share a mission to fight overtourism and plan to further discussions on this topic.
  • Elsewhere will offer a set of group trips in roughly 25 destinations worldwide in mid-to-late March.

Impact on Elsewhere

The acquisition of Elsewhere by Lonely Planet has led to notable changes in operations and management. While Elsewhere continues to operate as a subsidiary, its leadership structure remains unchanged, with co-founders Alexis Bowen and Craig Zapatka still at the helm. This stability ensures that the company's original vision and values are preserved. Operationally, the integration of Elsewhere's bespoke travel planning tools into Lonely Planet's platform marks a shift towards more curated and personalized travel services, moving away from the traditional reliance on user-generated content.

In terms of product offerings, the acquisition has expanded Lonely Planet's services to include Elsewhere's unique itineraries and 24/7 support, enhancing the overall travel experience for customers. The rebranding to "Elsewhere by Lonely Planet" emphasizes a commitment to sustainable and community-focused travel. Employee reactions have been positive, with Bowen and Zapatka expressing enthusiasm about the alignment of missions. Customer feedback has also been favorable, with testimonials highlighting the benefits of personalized travel planning. For founders considering business transitions, tools like Sunset can assist in managing these processes compliantly and efficiently.