What Is the History of Tourism and Hospitality?

By Alice Nichols

Tourism and hospitality are two interrelated industries that have been around since ancient times. The history of tourism and hospitality can be traced back to the early civilizations of Egypt, Greece, and Rome, where people would travel for religious purposes or to attend festivals and games.

During the Middle Ages, pilgrimages became a popular form of travel as people journeyed to holy sites such as Jerusalem and Rome. Inns and taverns were established along the routes to accommodate travelers, thus laying the foundation for modern-day hotels.

The Grand Tour was a cultural phenomenon that emerged in the 17th century. Wealthy young men from England would travel across Europe to broaden their horizons and gain cultural knowledge. This led to the development of tourism as a leisure activity for the upper class.

In the 19th century, advancements in transportation such as steamships and railways made travel more accessible to the middle class. The Industrial Revolution also contributed to the growth of tourism by creating new job opportunities in areas such as transportation, accommodation, and entertainment.

The 20th century saw a significant increase in international travel thanks to advancements in air travel. World War II brought about a decline in tourism but also led to the creation of organizations such as UNESCO, which aimed to preserve cultural heritage sites for future generations.

Today, tourism and hospitality are major global industries that contribute significantly to economic development. The World Tourism Organization reports that international tourist arrivals reached 1.4 billion in 2018, with tourism accounting for one in ten jobs worldwide.

In conclusion, while the history of tourism and hospitality dates back thousands of years ago with pilgrimages being a popular form of travel during medieval times; it wasn’t until after World War II that these two industries have seen significant growth thanks largely due advances made during modern times like air travel which has facilitated international tourism leading it grow into a major global industry that is contributing significantly not only economically but also culturally by preserving heritage sites for future generations.