Rough Guides is a leading publisher of travel and reference information, respected for its accurate, up-to-date content and informed contemporary writing. These days, Rough Guides is as much a travel content provider as it is a publisher of guidebooks. The guides themselves – distributed worldwide by the Penguin group – cover more than 200 destinations around the globe and subjects as diverse as Climate Change and Pregnancy.
1982
The first Rough Guide, The Rough Guide to Greece, is published.
1987
20 titles published, including Peru, Kenya, California, New York.
1990
Rough Guides publishes the first edition of The Rough Guide to China.
1991
Rough Guides launches first TV series – The Rough Guide to The World airing on BBC2.
1993
First reference title launched to critical acclaim — The Rough Guide to World Music.
1995
Rough Guides launches www.roughguides.com
1997
Rough Guides reaches the 100-title mark and add colour to the guides.
2000
Rough Guides publishes 200 titles.
2001
Rough Guides e-books launched.
2002
20-year anniversary and launch of Rough Guides’ award-winning, tear-proof city maps.
2003
Launch of country and regional map series.
2004
Rough Guides publishes the first edition of The Rough Guide to iPods, iTunes & Music Online, which is an instant bestseller.
2005
Rough Guides voted a CoolBrand by Superbrands, and wins the BAA/Expedia travel award.
2006
Rough Guides teams up with Climate Care to support its carbon-offsetting scheme.
2007
Rough Guides celebrates 25th anniversary with the publication of its first full-colour book – World Party – and a limited-edition series of 25 mini Rough Guides. Make the Most of Your Time on Earth becomes a bestseller and Rough Guides Mobile is launched.
2008
Launch of Rough Guide to… television series on UK’s channel Five.
2009
Launch of first hardback book – Earthbound – showcasing the best of Rough Guides’ picture library of 120,000 images.
2010
All Rough Guides are printed on FCO approved paper, including the new Rough Guide to Camping in Britain.
2012
Rough Guides celebrate 30th anniversary with a series relaunch, featuring full-colour guides with itineraries and more intuitive layout.
