Hi! I hope that you will like my answear! ;)
Marco Polo, a subject of the republic of Venice, it is important for the history of Europe occidenteale because it was one of the first explorers who went deep in Asia, reaching the court of the Great Khan of Beijing for, percorendo the Silk Road. His most important work was The Million (original language) and in Inglese Commonly called The Travels of Marco Polo or The Million.
I think that helped the thrifty business of our day because it has supported the cultural openness of China with the West.