Moscow vs. Lonely Planet

Politics, business and travel often intertwine. Take, for example, Lonely Planet. Recently, the guidebook giant has lobbied the United States Congress to support a National Passport Month. In 2002, Hong Kong took issue with Lonely Planet’s guidebook coverage. In 2004, Burma Campaign UK called for a boycott of the guidebook giant simply for publishing a book about the country. Now it’s Moscow’s turn to take some shots at LP. From a story by Tom Parfitt in the Guardian: “Moscow officials have launched an attack on Lonely Planet, saying the backpackers’ guide portrays the Russian capital as a gangster-infested Gotham and presents an image of the city that is at least 15 years out of date.”

The criticism, according to Parfitt, “comes as city officials launch a £14m initiative to improve Moscow’s image abroad.” Lonely Planet isn’t the only one being called out. British consultants Mercer HR are also taking heat for a recent survey that moved Moscow past Tokyo to become the world’s most expensive city.

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