Lonely Planet’s new journey: It’s sold to Charlotte digital conglomerate Red Ventures

CHARLOTTE – Lonely Planet, an internationally recognized global media travel company, is taking a new trip as a company, becoming part of Charlotte-based Red Ventures.

“While the travel industry is experiencing an unprecedented downturn, we believe it will come back stronger than ever, and no brand represents the magic of the modern explorer better than Lonely Planet,” said Red Ventures CEO Ric Elias. “By joining our travel portfolio, Lonely Planet positions us to revolutionize the consumer journey for travelers, helping more people discover and decide where they’ll go, how they’ll get there, and what to do when they arrive.”

Red Ventures is a growing digital media conglomerate, having recently acquired CNET.

Terms of the Lonely Planet deal were not disclosed.

The acquisition was announced Tuesday.

Lonely Planet had been owned by NC2 Media. It publishers a variety of resources for travel, including books and digital.

Lonely Planet CEO Luis Cabrera will be stay with NC2 Media but the remainder of its leadership team “will remain intact,” Red Ventures said.