NEW YORK (AP) — Arthur Frommer, the influential travel writer best known for his groundbreaking guidebook “Europe on 5 Dollars a Day,” has passed away at the age of 95 due to complications from pneumonia, as confirmed by his daughter, Pauline Frommer.

Pauline noted, “My father opened up the world to so many people. He strongly believed that travel can be a transformative experience that doesn’t have to break the bank.” His advocacy for budget travel changed the landscape of leisure travel for American tourists during the mid-to-late 20th century.

Frommer first ventured into travel writing while stationed in Europe as a U.S. Army officer in the 1950s. After the success of a guidebook he initially wrote for American servicemen, he published “Europe on 5 Dollars a Day” in 1957. The book resonated widely, quickly becoming a best-seller and laying the foundation for the Frommer’s brand.

Today, Frommer’s legacy continues through guidebooks covering various destinations worldwide, along with a robust digital presence involving social media, podcasts, and a radio show, spearheaded by his daughter.

Travel philosophy shaped by Frommer emphasized exploration through affordable means: opting for inns and budget hotels over luxury accommodations, using public transportation instead of guided tours, and dining in local cafes rather than expensive restaurants. He championed the notion that budget travel offers a more authentic experience, encouraging the average American to venture abroad.

His books gained traction at a time when affordable air travel was becoming mainstream, transforming how many Americans saw travel. Frommer’s guides became so ubiquitous that tourists flocking to landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower often clutched his books in their hands.

“It was truly pioneering work,” stated Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet, in a 2013 interview. He noted that prior to Frommer, guidebooks primarily focused on historical sites, lacking practical advice about accommodations and dining.”

As recognition for his contributions to travel literature proliferated, the final editions of his iconic series were retitled “Europe from $95 a Day,” a phrase that ultimately became obsolete as travel costs evolved. Despite shifts in ownership, Frommer managed to reclaim his brand from Google in 2013, relaunching the guidebook series with renewed titles alongside his daughter.

Frommer remained a prominent voice in travel discussions up until his recent passing, famously criticizing mega-cruise ships and raising concerns about the reliability of consumer review sites. He also coined the term “Trump Slump” in a widely shared article, forecasting a potential decline in tourism following Donald Trump’s presidential election.

Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, in the midst of the Great Depression, Frommer faced financial instability early in life. His father’s job losses led to the family relocating to New York during his teenage years. After attending New York University and completing his law degree at Yale, he was drafted into the Army in 1953. His language capabilities sent him to an intelligence position in Europe, where he first experienced the continent’s allure.

Frommer’s travel writing career began with “The GI’s Guide to Traveling in Europe,” which he printed in small quantities to distribute through military channels. Upon returning to New York to work at a law firm, he was propelled by the demand for reprints, leading to the creation of his first civilian guidebook, which showcased Europe in a far more engaging and poetic manner than typical travel literature of the time.

After leaving his legal career to pursue travel writing full-time, he was joined by his daughter Pauline, who became instrumental in both the business and marketing of the Frommer’s brand. Reflecting on their collaboration, she remarked in 2012, “It’s wonderful to have a working partner whose mind is a steel trap, and who doesn’t just have smarts, but wisdom.”

Besides his daughter, Arthur Frommer is survived by his second wife, Roberta Brodfeld, and four grandchildren. His legacy lives on in the travel industry and in the countless individuals whose wanderlust he inspired.