BBC to sell Lonely Planet to cigarette billionaire?

Lonely Planet, a decades-long travel guide book, is said to be on sale. In a report, Skift said current owner BBC is in the final stages of negotiation with reclusive Kentucky billionaire Brad Kelley for the sale of a majority stake in Lonely Planet. Kelly used to sell discount cigarette brands like USA Gold, Bull Durham, and Malibu, then flipped the company for almost $1 billion in 2001. He is now one of the largest land owners and conservationists in United States. BBC Worldwide replied to the report: “We have been exploring strategic options for Lonely Planet for some time now but no deal has been done and we are not going to comment on speculation about its future.”


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