BBC Worldwide, the international commercial arm of BBC, has been promising some acquisitions for a while now, and this one fits right in: it has bought Lonely Planet, the travel information group founded in Australia in 1972, for an undisclosed sum. Founders Tony and Maureen Wheeler will retain a 25 percent share in the company.

SEE ALSO: BBC Worldwide Targets Digital Acquisitions After Strong Profit Year

The private equity arm of ANZ Bank had a 10 percent stake in Lonely Planet till 2005..it bought the stake in 1992. In 2005, it sold the stake to Australian media magnate John Singleton…he then had a 30 percent share in the company.

Besides the 500 odd guides it produces, the company also also produces and develops factual programming for international broadcasters through Lonely Planet Television and has a big presence online and on mobile.

Moconews recently did an interview with Bob Hitching, program director for digital and wireless innovation at Lonely Planet, about the companies mobile plans. The company is planning a smorgasbord of mobile content for its readers, ranging across SMS, WAP, downloadable Java apps and rich content, and will be continued at BBCW.