Tourism is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the world. But, have you ever wondered who is behind this global phenomenon?
Who is the founder of tourism? The answer to this question is not straightforward as tourism has evolved over time.
However, we can trace back the origins of modern tourism to a man named Thomas Cook. Born in Derbyshire, England, in 1808, Cook was a Baptist preacher who was passionate about social reform. In the mid-19th century, he saw an opportunity to organize group travel as a way to promote temperance and bring people together for educational purposes.
In 1841, Cook organized his first excursion from Leicester to Loughborough for a group of temperance campaigners. The trip was a success and soon after he began organizing more excursions across England. By 1855, he had organized his first international tour to Paris.
Cook’s tours were unique because they were affordable and accessible to people who previously could not afford to travel. He negotiated with railway companies for discounted fares and offered all-inclusive packages that included transportation, accommodation, and meals. This made travel more convenient and affordable for the masses.
As Cook’s business grew, he expanded his operations beyond Europe and began offering tours to North America, Egypt, and India. In 1866, he chartered a special train that took passengers from London to Paris for the International Exhibition. This was the first-ever package tour by train.
Cook’s legacy goes beyond just founding modern tourism. He was also an advocate for social justice and equality. He organized trips for working-class groups such as miners and factory workers who had never traveled before.
Today, Thomas Cook Group is one of the world’s leading travel companies with operations in more than 16 countries worldwide.
In conclusion, while tourism has been around since ancient times when people traveled for trade or religious purposes, it was Thomas Cook who laid the foundation for modern mass tourism. His vision of affordable and accessible travel for all has transformed the way we see the world and contributed to the growth of the global economy. Thomas Cook is truly the father of modern tourism.