The creators of Wikipedia, the global "people's encyclopedia" that relies on volunteer contributors to write and edit articles, are launching a collaborative online travel guide that aims to cover everything from Disney World to Diyarbakir (one of the largest cities in southeastern Turkey).
Wikivoyage, in test mode for several months but making its official debut today, will compete in a crowded arena that includes guidebook publishers such as Fodors, Frommers and Lonely Planet, user-generated reviews and forums such as TripAdvisor, and Wikitravel, a 10-year-old commercial site inspired by Wikipedia that's battling the newcomer in court.
Much of Wikivoyage's current lineup of more than 26,000 entries is lifted from Wikitravel, which runs advertising. Wikivoyage's new, ad-free incarnation lets users collect articles into customized books that can be downloaded for offline reading or produced in a printed format.
Practical information is paramount, but Wikivoyage's policies section notes that "contributors who are used to Wikipedia should remember that our rule to be fair is different from the Wikipedia neutral point of view. In particular, we encourage lively, descriptive writing …'Greek restaurant just off the plaza' doesn't tell anyone anything. 'Dingy but passable Greek restaurant with surly waitstaff, rich and generous portions of moussaka, tinny stereo system' gives a lot more info."
While Wikipedia's online success may have deep-sixed traditional encyclopedias — a point Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert made during a recent interview with Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales — its latest travel effort faces some stiff competition.
"Wikivoyage is a good addition but that doesn't mean people will end their search there," Mark Hensall, content director of the U.K.-based digital agency Propellernet, told NBC News. "People make travel decisions based on friends, family, the blogosphere or something they see on TV. It's a complex stream of information and for that reason they're looking for content that demonstrates authority, trust and expertise."
Source: USA Today
