Arthur Frommer, whose travel guidebooks encouraged unique experiences, dead at 95

Arthur Frommer, the pioneer of budget travel who revolutionized leisure vacations with his guidebooks, has passed away at the age of 95. He died from complications related to pneumonia, as confirmed by his daughter, Pauline Frommer.

"My father opened up the world to so many people," said Pauline Frommer. "He believed deeply that travel could be an enlightening activity and one that did not require a big budget."

Frommer’s journey into travel writing began during his service in the U.S. Army in Europe in the 1950s. When a guidebook he wrote for American soldiers stationed overseas sold out, he launched *Europe on 5 Dollars a Day* in 1957, self-publishing the book that would become one of the most famous in the travel industry.

"It struck a chord and became an immediate best-seller," Frommer recalled in a 2007 interview marking the book’s 50th anniversary.

His timing was fortuitous, as the rise of jet travel made Europe more accessible than ever before. In a 1980s interview, Frommer said that travel, ideally, should leave you "a different person than when you began." He emphasized that travel was worthwhile when it involved new ideas and perspectives. "To me, travel is no longer worth the effort unless it is associated with ideas and people, unless it stretches your horizons," he added.

The Frommer’s brand, now led by his daughter, remains one of the most recognized names in the travel industry. It includes guidebooks to destinations worldwide, a strong social media presence, podcasts, and a radio show.

Frommer’s philosophy was simple: avoid luxury and embrace authenticity. He recommended staying in budget hotels and using public transportation, rather than taking guided tours or dining in expensive restaurants. He believed budget travel was more rewarding because it allowed travelers to engage more authentically with local culture. This approach encouraged ordinary people, not just the wealthy, to explore the world.

Tony Wheeler, founder of the Lonely Planet guidebook series, noted how Frommer’s ideas were groundbreaking. "Before Frommer, you could find guidebooks that told you everything about the church or temple ruin. But the idea that you wanted to eat somewhere, or find a hotel, or get from A to B — that was really pioneering," Wheeler said in 2013.

Frommer also remained outspoken in his later years, criticizing mega-cruise ships and travel review websites he believed were susceptible to fraudulent posts. He sold his guidebook company to Simon & Schuster, which was later acquired by Wiley Publishing, and eventually bought back the rights to the Frommer's brand from Google in 2013. At the age of 84, Frommer worked alongside his daughter to relaunch the print series with a new set of guidebooks.

"I never dreamed at my age I'd be working this hard," he said at the time.

Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, and raised during the Great Depression in Jefferson City, Missouri, Frommer came from humble beginnings. His father, who worked a series of jobs that went bankrupt, moved the family to New York when Arthur was a teenager.

After studying at Yale Law School and serving in Army intelligence, Frommer’s first exposure to Europe was while stationed in Germany during the Cold War. He spent his weekends exploring Paris and England, eventually writing *The GI's Guide to Traveling in Europe. His Army-issued guidebook was a success, leading to the publication of Europe on 5 Dollars a Day.

Frommer later left law to focus on travel writing full-time. He continued to promote affordable travel and, even in his later years, avoided flying first class. "I fly economy class and I try to experience the same form of travel that the average American and the average citizen of the world encounters," he said.

As his daughter Pauline took on more of the company’s operations, Frommer’s legacy continued to grow. He is survived by his second wife, Roberta Brodfeld, his daughter, and four grandchildren.