Michelin, the leading publisher of prestige travel guides, has entered the China market with a guide on Europe for Chinese tourists and a new guide to China in French and English.

The guide to Europe is the first book in Chinese for the century-old publishing house.

Michelin China president Yves Chapot said China had made huge progress in economic and social development in the last 20 years, resulting in a booming tourism industry.

He said Michelin would provide more information for outbound Chinese tourists as well as for foreign tourists to China.

The Europe guidebook has detailed information on 28 cities in 12 countries and will be on sale nationwide by the end of April.

Michelin publishes more than 20 million maps and guidebooks every year for sale in more than 70 countries.

(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2006)