ITWire

Like other Wikimedia projects, Wikivoyage contains material written collaboratively by volunteers. The site has launched under the aegis of Wikimedia with around 50,000 articles and approximately 200 volunteer editors.

Wikivoyage started in 2006 as a travel guide in German and Italian, backed by the German non-profit Wikivoyage Association. The transition to a Wikimedia project was initiated by contributors and the Association.

"The purpose of the Wikivoyage Association is to promote education and knowledge of all countries and regions in the world, as well as understanding among nations," said Stefan Fussan, chairman of the board of the Wikivoyage Association.

"We're very excited about the launch of Wikivoyage as a Wikimedia project, and about the future role of the Association in supporting the Wikivoyage community through its programs."

Sue Gardner, executive director of the Wikimedia Foundation said "There's a huge global demand for travel information, but very few sources are both comprehensive and non-commercial. That's about to change."

"Wikivoyage is a great, useful service for travellers, and I'm expecting that with the support of the Wikimedia Foundation and the global Wikimedia editing community, it's going to get even bigger and better," she added.

Wikivoyage's content is currently offered in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish.