Fodor's 731827 199285429 2008-03-19T06:22:12Z Jfire 31320 important publisher {{Primarysources|date=February 2008}} [[Image:Fodor's logo.gif|right]] '''Fodor's''' ({{pronEng|ˈfoʊdɚz}}) is the world's largest publisher of [[English language]] [[travel]] and [[tourism]] information, and the first relatively professional producer of travel guidebooks. Fodor's Travel and Fodors.com are divisions of [[Random House]], Inc. ==History== Founder, [[Hungarian people|Hungarian]] [[Eugene Fodor (writer)|Eugene Fodor]] was a keen traveler, but felt that the guidebooks of his time were boring, uninspired collections of quickly outdated facts and figures. He decided to address these shortcomings and wrote a guide to [[Europe]], ''On the Continent—The Entertaining Travel Annual'', which was published in [[1936]]. Going beyond the usual lists of hotels and attractions, the book was updated yearly and gave practical guidance, such as [[tip]]ping advice, alongside information about the local people and [[culture]]. For example, in the introduction, Fodor wrote "[[Rome]] contains not only magnificent [[monument]]s, but also [[Italy|Italians]]." The pioneering book was a success in [[England]] and the [[United States]]. Fodor's Modern Guides, Inc. was founded in [[1949]] in [[Paris]], [[France]]. The company was sold to Random House in 1986. In [[1996]], Fodor's launched a travel-related website, [http://fodors.com/ Fodors.com], which was nominated for a [[Webby Award]] in [[2004]]. Today, Fodor's has published more than 440 guides (in 14 series) on over 300 destinations, and has more than 700 permanently placed researchers all over the world. In 2006 the company produced a guide to [[The Da Vinci Code]], a mix of travel guide and insight into the book. ==External links== * [http://www.fodors.com Fodors.com], official site. * {{WiredForBooks|michaelspring|1989 audio interview with Michael Spring about the origin of the Fodor name|by [[Don Swaim]]}} ==References== * {{cite web | title=About Us | work=Fodors.com | url=http://www.fodors.com/about/us/ftp_about.cfm | accessmonthday=October 28 | accessyear=2005}} * {{cite web | title=Random House Information Group | work=RandomHouse.com | url=http://www.randomhouse.com/publishers/pub_info.html | accessmonthday=October 28 | accessyear=2005}} * {{cite web | title=Eugene Fodor | work=Encyclopædia Britannica | url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9034722| accessmonthday=November 1 | accessyear=2005}} [[Category:Travel guide books]] [[Category:Publishing companies of the United States]] [[Category:Random House]]