It pays to check your diary before planning magazine launches – BBC Magazines has had to delay the launch of its much-anticipated Lonely Planet magazine after deciding it did not want it to be released on the same day as the 15th anniversary and 100th issue of rival travel magazine Wanderlust, preventing what could have ended in open warfare between the two.

The corporation had set Thursday 20 November as the launch date of the major brand extension of the travel guide publisher, since it acquired a 75 percent stake in Lonely Planet in October 2007.

The delay follows an accusation from Wanderlust editor and publisher, Lyn Hughes, that BBC Worldwide had deliberately targeted her title by launching Lonely Planet magazine on the same day as it celebrates its 100th issue.

Lonely Planet will be aimed at frequent travellers and feature a mix of editorial and photography, with a particular focus on ideas for future trips, short breaks and long journeys. With such an extensive back catalogue of travel photos and stories, the mag has hefty support.

So far the magazine has only been released in Spain and there haven’t been any announcements as to whether or not it will be coming to Australia.