Arthur Frommer, Author Whose Travel Guides Inspired World Tourism, Dies at 95

Mar. 15, 2025

Arthur Frommer, May 2012.Photo:AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Arthur Frommer

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Arthur Frommer, who rose to fame in the tourism industry after publishingEurope on 5 Dollars a Dayin 1957 and later his namesake travel guides, has died. He was 95.

The author’s familyconfirmed the newsin a statement on his official website on Monday, Nov. 18.

Europe on Twenty Five Dollars a Day arthur frommer

Hungry Minds Inc,U.S.

Pauline remembered her father’s life as “remarkable,” adding that he “democratized travel, showing average Americans how anyone can afford to travel widely and better understand the world.”

After recounting Frommer’s career accomplishments, Pauline stated that she, along with others, would work to keep his legacy alive.

“I am honored to carry on his work of sharing the world with you, which I proudly do with his team of extraordinary and dedicated travel journalists around the world. We will all miss him greatly,” she concluded.

Arthur Frommer — March 13, 1987.Tim Bauer/Fairfax Media via Getty

Arthur Frommer

Tim Bauer/Fairfax Media via Getty

Frommer’s stepdaughter, Tracie Holder, said he died at his home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan due to complications of pneumonia, theNew York Timesreported.

“This is a book for American tourists who a) own no oil wells in Texas, b) are unrelated to the Aga Khan, c) have never struck it rich in Las Vegas and who still want to enjoy a wonderful European vacation,” Frommer once wrote in his annually updated travel guides, per the outlet.

The author came up with itineraries that changed with the times, beginning withEurope on 5 Dollars a Dayin 1957 to 2007’sEurope From $95 a Day.

His travel tips focused on saving tourists money. For example, when visiting Venice, he advised tourists to “stay away from gondolas” because “they cost as much as $3 an hour!”

Arthur Frommer, November 2015.Chris Melzer/picture alliance via Getty

Arthur Frommer

Chris Melzer/picture alliance via Getty

What began as self-published travel guides for Europe eventually expanded to a publishing deal with Simon & Schuster for New York, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Japan and 300 other destinations.

“Big rooms and amenities are all sheer nonsense,” Frommer toldThe Los Angeles Timesin 2009 after previously calling out how many viewed Europe.

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Frommer was born in Lynchburg, Va., on July 17, 1929 to immigrant parents, and raised in Jefferson City, Mo.

source: people.com