The online lineup of travel information has another stamp in its passport with The Rough Guide, a British publisher of 70 books on popular and remote destinations, agreeing to offer electronic access to its U.S. guide.
Launched in conjunction with HotWired Ventures, the San Francisco-based online magazine, The Rough Guides are similar to travel books, chock full of travel tips and idiosyncratic impressions, but with a difference.In a section attached to each destination dubbed "Been There, Done That?" the online traveler can offer up-to-the minute complaints, recommendations or travel essays about anything discovered along the road.
In a section on San Francisco, a traveler named Paul complained that The Rough Guide had a "wicked attitude problem," for complaining about the city's "derivative architecture" and the "detached narcissism of the city's residents and politicos."
Also, the online information is free unlike the books, which cost $12.95 to $14.95. Of course, you have to buy a computer.
Mark Ellingham, the managing director and one of the founders of The Rough Guide series, said the Internet means feedback from online readers will make the Guide more current than it can be on a two year publication cycle.
"It will be a bit ahead of the book," he said. "If you could send me e-mail from Senegal saying this hotel's closed down, I could just key it in. The online book will take on a life of its own."
By Christmas, the publisher will put its Mexico and Canada guides online. In early 1996, Europe will go up, followed by Australia and Asia. To earn money, The Rough Guide will charge hotels, airlines and clubs a "minimal fee" to link to its page. Still left undecided is how businesses that pay to be linked will be reviewed without fear or favor.