Michelin Travel Guide on Korea to Be Published

By Do Je-hae

Staff Reporter

The first Michelin travel guide to Korea will be published in English and French next year, as part of efforts to promote the 2010-2012 Visit Korea campaign.

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and French-based tire manufacturer Michelin, which publishes the world-renowned travel guides, signed an agreement Tuesday to release the first Korea edition, also known as the Michelin Green Guide.

Under a pact between KTO President, Lee Charm and Michelin Far-East Asia President, Bernard Delmas, the forthcoming edition on Korea will be available in French by March 2011 and in English by June of the same year.

The KTO will provide photos, maps and information for the publication. In cooperation with the Hansik Foundation, a private organization to globalize Korean traditional food, the KTO will feature advertisements on Korean tourism in the travel guide.

The publication marks the fourth Asian nation edition following Japan, Thailand and Singapore.

Along with the Lonely Planet series, the Michelin Green guides are the most popular and extensive travel books, introducing the most outstanding attractions in 52 countries and cities to travelers through star ratings.

The KTO and Michelin are also considering the publication of a Korea edition of the Michelin Red Guide, which lists and evaluates a given destination's top restaurants and hotels.

Michelin has long published two guidebook series, the Red Guides to hotels and restaurants, and the Green Guides for tourism. The Michelin Red Guide, the oldest and best-known European hotel and restaurant guide, awards the Michelin stars.

One of the world's largest tire companies started to publish tour guides in 1900, initially for drivers to help them find decent lodging and restaurants while touring France.