Lonely Planet Gives Away City Guides for IPhones

The Australian company said it is giving away the 13 guides -- Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin, London, Moscow, Munich, Paris, Prague, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Vienna, and Warsaw -- in Apple's iTunes store through December 23. In addition, Lonely Planet is reducing the price of 25 GPS-based city guides for the Android platform, priced from $1 to $5, through December 25.

"We know that travelers who might be stuck in unfamiliar places over Christmas will need access to practical information as well as suggestions on what to do while they're stranded," said Shawn Low, Lonely Planet's Asia-Pacific Travel Editor.

The move is strategic one. After slashing its prices last summer, Lonely Planet saw a 500 percent surge in sales after the Icelandic volcano eruption stalled travel worldwide. By offering free guides in the throes of emergency situations, the publisher was able to see a return in future sales once consumers try them and recommendations are spread via word-of-mouth.

The free offer is also a way for Lonely Planet to achieve the "Top Travel App" title in iTunes and Android Market in time for year's end, for increased exposure and larger profit margins.