Gullivers Travel Associates (GTA), the largest independent supplier of global travel products, confirmed Friday it launched its China subsidiary in Beijing Wednesday, becoming the first European travel agency licensed to operate in the country.

The company said it would utilize its 60-million-dollar investment in travel technology and extensive global network of sales offices to bring its millions of customers updated about travel information on China. The information includes interactive city maps, practical city and area travel guides, weather information and health and safety advice.

GTA, which boasts of 880 million US dollars in annual turnover,was the first European travel company licensed by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) on Feb. 28, 2004.

It has set up two companies and three representative offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Hong Kong.

According to the strategic forecast released by the World Trade Organization (WTO), China will become the largest inbound destination and the fourth largest outbound tourist country by theyear of 2020.

Another three foreign companies, Japanese Japak International (China) Co. Ltd, Japan-based All Nippon and Singapore-based Star Cruises, have been granted licenses to provide inbound and domestic travel services in China.