HISTORY OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

The word “tourism” is derived from the Hebrew word “torah” which means
studying, learning or searching. It can trace its beginnings in the Old Testament. Early
tourism and hospitality is characterized by travel for business and religion. Religious
travel took the form of pilgrimages to places of worship such as Chaucer’s Tale of
Pilgrimage to Canterbury. Travel received great impetus during the Roman Empire due
to construction of good roads and accommodations. Rome and Jerusalem, St. James of
Galicia was the foremost destination of English pilgrims.

TOURISM IN MEDIEVAL PERIOD

During the medieval period, travel declined. Travel derived from the word “travail”,
became burdensome, dangerous and demanding this time.

 Road became unsafe

 Thieves inflicted harm
 No one traveled for pleasure
 Crusaders (campaign, fighter due to social, political and religious change) and
pilgrims were the only ones who traveled.

Tourism During the Renaissance and Elizabethan Eras

With the Renaissance: a few renowned universities developed so that travel for
education was introduced largely by the British.

Under Elizabeth: young men seeking positions in court were encouraged to travel to
the continent to widen their education.

It became recognized that the education of a gentlemen should be completed by a

“Grand Tour”.

The term “spa” is derived from the walloon word espa meaning “fountain”. Travelers
immersed themselves in the healing waters. Turnbridge Wells in Kent (near London)
became famous as a spa in the 1660s.
Became Fashionable in 18th and 19th century:

 Bath in England, Baden-baden in Germany, Baden in Austria, Bainesles-Basin in

France, Lucca in Italy and Karslbad and Marienbad in Bohemia.

TOURISM DURING THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

It bought technological changes, but also essential social changes that made travel
desirable as a recreational activity. Increase in productivity, regular employment and
urbanization gave people the motivation and opportunity to go on a holiday.

TOURISM IN THE 19TH CENTURY

Tourism in the 19th Century : Two technological development: introduction of the
railway and the development of steam power.
Railroad: created more business and provide reliable and cheap transportation most
especially more competition as private companies invested heavily in hotels, resorts,
and entertainment facilities.
Steam power: provide increased mobility needed by the tourism business
THOMAS COOK: first and most famous, his first excursion train trip was between
Leicester and Loughborough in 1841 with 570 passengers. In 1866 he organized his first
American Tour.
As 19th century drew to close; photography and guide books became popular. The most
popular is Baedecker first published in 1839, which became the leading guide for
European countries at the end of century.

TOURISM IN 20TH CENTURY

 Increase the demand for international travel
 Interest in foreign travel
 New forms of mass communication
 Influence of posters, cinema, radio and television.
WORLD WAR II
 Introduced combatants
 Generating new friendships and in interest in different cultures
 Progress in aircraft technology
POST WAR RECOVERY YEARS
 Private car ownerships
 Resourceful tour operators devised flexible packages
 Hotels also devised their own programs of short stay holidays for the private
motorist
 The demand for hired cars on holidays overseas also increased substantially
POST WAR ECONOMIC RECOVERY YEARS
 Increase discretionary income and leisure time
 Governments created more vacation time by incorporating isolated holidays into
the familiar “long weekends” throughout the year.
Prospects for the continued growth or world tourism in the 20th century:
 Societal trends – favorable to the continued growth of demand
 World peace and prosperity