**Historical Evolution**:
– The periplus and periegesis were early forms of guidebooks in antiquity.
– Notable ancient authors like Dionysius Periegetes and Pausanias contributed to early guidebook-like works.
– Guidebooks for religious pilgrims gained popularity, such as Egeria’s detailed itinerary.
– Christianity influenced guidebooks for pilgrims, providing insights into the Holy Land.
– Early guidebooks like Pausanias’ Descriptions of Greece offered valuable insights into ancient civilizations.
**Development of Modern Guidebooks**:
– John Murray’s Handbooks for Travellers in the 1830s introduced star ratings for sights.
– Karl Baedeker revolutionized travel guides by providing detailed information and star ratings.
– Baedeker and Murray set new standards for clarity, detail, and accuracy in guidebooks.
– Baedeker and Murray guidebooks were popular resources for travelers well into the 20th century.
– Post-WW2, authors like Eugene Fodor and Arthur Frommer introduced European and American perspectives on travel, popularizing budget travel options.
**Specialized Guides**:
– Specialist guides cater to specific activities like mountaineering, climbing, and diving.
– Notable guides like W. A. Poucher’s for British hill regions and Climbers Club guides for climbing grounds in Britain.
– Travel guides tailored for diving destinations and specific dive sites are available in various formats.
– Mountain guides cater to mountaineering, climbing, and hill walking needs.
– Diving guides are accessible through magazine articles, books, and websites.
**Digital Transformation**:
– Publishers transitioned to electronic distribution with the rise of digital technology.
– Electronic formats include downloadable documents for portable devices and online information.
– Guidebook publishers like Lonely Planet, Frommers, and Rough Guides offer digital versions.
– Platforms like Tripadvisor, Wikivoyage, and Travellerspoint allow sharing travel experiences.
– Some platforms offer updatable guides as open content, enhancing user engagement.
**Guidebook Publishing Industry**:
– English language guide book publishers range from contemporary to historical.
– Notable publishers include W.J. Adams, AAA/CAA TourBook, and D. Appleton & Co.
– Other publishers like Ward Lock & Co. and Weird US have contributed to the guidebook industry.
– Wikivoyage, edited by users, plays a significant role in guidebook publishing.
– Platforms like wordtravels.com offer diverse travel guides for users.
A guide book or travel guide is "a book of information about a place designed for the use of visitors or tourists". It will usually include information about sights, accommodation, restaurants, transportation, and activities. Maps of varying detail and historical and cultural information are often included. Different kinds of guide books exist, focusing on different aspects of travel, from adventure travel to relaxation, or aimed at travelers with different incomes, or focusing on sexual orientation or types of diet.
Travel guides or guide book can also take the form of travel websites.