Thomas Kohnstamm: Lonely Planet Writer, and a Liar
Lots of folks are buzzing this weekend and today about Thomas Kohnstamm (TK) and the move he pulled on Lonely Planet (LP). He seems proud of the fact that he deceived people. I feel for the folks at Lonely Planet. There products in general are awesome, and jack arses like this guy are gonna cause havoc once in a while.
Here’s a recap of what folks are saying around the web on this:
1st BBC article (where I found out about it)
Another BBC Article 5 minute audio on this one with folks from LP commenting on it
Gadling
My Blog entry on it
I’m sure TK is happy about all the free PR he is getting. If you are a blogger, don’t link to him or his book is what I say. If you do link rel=”nofollow” the link.
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Any comments from / by the BBC are tainted as the BBC has a financial interest in Lonely Planet.
The LP guide books are not, to quote you, “There (sic) products in general are awesome”. The data is frequently inaccurate / wrong and it appears that the frequent updates are simply designed to generate cash flow rather than disseminate accurate information.
I live in S.E. Asia, and have done so continuously for over 16 years, and have seen the LP writers doing their work, seeking out benefits in return for a mention in a guide.
Once I happened upon one of these characters propping up a bar and collecting anecdotes, in return for a beer, from backpackers nearing the completion of their journeys. I asked him why would he not go out and check things for himself and he replied he couldn’t afford to on the budget allowed him to operate with.
No, Thomas Kohnstamm is not a liar, there is more than a grain of truth in what he says.
LP has stated a rail line operated in southwestern China for years after it was swept into a river by a landslide. They also boosted a hotel for long after it had been burnt to the ground.
These are serious errors resulting from information from earlier simply being regurgitated.