Google to buy Frommer's brand of travel guides

Google is buying the Frommer's brand of travel guides. The technology giant, which bought the Zagat restaurant review service in September 2011, plans to use the guides to hotels and destinations around the world to complement the Zagat listings.

Frommer's got its start in 1957 with the publication of Arthur Frommer's "Europe on $5 a Day." Frommer's now publishes more than 300 guidebooks and runs the Frommers.com website.

Google is buying Frommer's from publisher John Wiley & Sons Inc in a deal that includes John Wiley's other travel-related businesses. Financial terms were not disclosed in Monday's announcement.

John Wiley is trying to sell off a number of businesses that no longer fit with its long-term focus on professionals and education.

In addition to travel, businesses up for sale include the company's culinary, general interest, nautical, pets, crafts, Webster's New World and CliffsNotes businesses.

John Wiley, which is based in Hoboken, New Jersey, says it plans to use the proceeds from the sales to support growth opportunities in its other businesses.

The stock of Google, which is based in California, rose $12.80, or 2 per cent, to $654.80 in afternoon trading Monday. John Wiley's stock fell 17 cents to $47.42.

With inputs from Associated Press