I previously write the printed book never died since it still a good way for enjoy a good read with a cup of coffee or tea (I write that during November 2017). For the year I visit bookstore, but surprising I end up nothing to buy back. Somehow lot of the change in place and replace the value use to deliver from the printed book.
For travel guide etc, it is no a secret anymore, it is undergoing challenge by online tripadvisor website and even Google provide a mean for normal user to provide the information and experience on the travel destination, restaurant and hotels like. It offer latest and most current information for the user most like need those information for trip planning or at site.
With the massive available for the pc, laptop, tablet and in particular smartphone, make it without doubt the best choice for the information to be select and use, and put into pocket. This is why we will notice of travel guide focus company had start transition, to offer no just travel guide, some is even selling the travel and tour experience as well.
I recall in the past how wikipedia is killing entire encyclopaedia industry, everyone is make their own contribution to wikipedia and it end up become the new default behavior and standard for access those information online.
Similar trend we can saw is like how music album is in the past and modern day distribution. Who else bought physical CD, despite the need is there, but majority of people had change their behavior how they enjoy the music. Even Apple iTunes is transition for the digital music selling model and focus on subscription to enjoy unlimited volume of the music.
The world and technology once again, show the world for the changing and the future is come much nearer, are the book and printed industry ready for that? Human behavior can be change, and it change faster than the market expected. In particular so we can see the younger generation who will make the large market for the future come.
So, the very past few years the so-called industry expert and professional forecast for printed book never dead, are you believe in what you saw surround you or those old people generalisation for what they believe? I choose to believe what I saw, in particular for the adoption of ebook reading technology and habit for the young generation. Digital transformation is underway at light speed, we all need to be prepare for this digital economy, digital lifestyle impact for everyone, not just for consumer, seller, but the society reform and everyone welcome to digital economy and digital lifestyle.