Hey there and welcome back to a new blog post.
For more than 8 years I have been actively involved in the tourism industry on both sides: as an organizer and as a tourist. Today I would like to take you for a walk through the history of tourism, from his early stages till the 90'. So let's hit the road! (Jack!)
For more than 8 years I have been actively involved in the tourism industry on both sides: as an organizer and as a tourist. Today I would like to take you for a walk through the history of tourism, from his early stages till the 90'. So let's hit the road! (Jack!)
Early beginnings and prototourism
In the beginning of the human life, as homo sapiens, people were part of nomadic groups, that changed their "headquarters", depending on the food and shelter possibilities. So in the beginning we were all kind of tourists, without realizing it. After the invention of agriculture, flourishing civilization began to appear and with the construction of the first city-states, people found steadfastness.
In the ancient times the first forms of tourism were developed. People traveled for various reasons. Trade was one of the first motives that fueled travel. Spices, gold, silk, wine and other commodities, produces in excess in one area, were transported in another region with high demand.Then followed the exploration travels, in order to discover new land or study the nature, fauna and flora. And let's not forget about war, which engaged large armies, bent on conquest. Alongside soldiers, diplomats, priests, spies, scouts and politicians took part in the trips.
Prototourism followed afterwards. Already the motives evolved. Sport-tourism drew in many fans to the Olympic Games in ancient Greece, while the people of Rome made get-away weekends at the Tyrrhenian Sea, at Ostia, just as people of Bucharest travel to the Black Sea. Moreover, rich people visited the seven wonders of the ancient world, or took relaxation trips to the baths.
In the beginning of the human life, as homo sapiens, people were part of nomadic groups, that changed their "headquarters", depending on the food and shelter possibilities. So in the beginning we were all kind of tourists, without realizing it. After the invention of agriculture, flourishing civilization began to appear and with the construction of the first city-states, people found steadfastness.
In the ancient times the first forms of tourism were developed. People traveled for various reasons. Trade was one of the first motives that fueled travel. Spices, gold, silk, wine and other commodities, produces in excess in one area, were transported in another region with high demand.Then followed the exploration travels, in order to discover new land or study the nature, fauna and flora. And let's not forget about war, which engaged large armies, bent on conquest. Alongside soldiers, diplomats, priests, spies, scouts and politicians took part in the trips.
Prototourism followed afterwards. Already the motives evolved. Sport-tourism drew in many fans to the Olympic Games in ancient Greece, while the people of Rome made get-away weekends at the Tyrrhenian Sea, at Ostia, just as people of Bucharest travel to the Black Sea. Moreover, rich people visited the seven wonders of the ancient world, or took relaxation trips to the baths.
After the demise of Western Roman Empire, tourism almost went extinct in Europe. The feudal system which took the place of the Empire, meant a strong fragmentation of the transport systems, the languages spoken, the currency used and travel was seen as dangerous. During this time, travel was a privilege of a small, but extremely rich social group: kings, joined by missionaries, which fought crusades, or successful merchants such as Marco Polo. Alongside these group, but on the other side of the rich scale, pilgrims were traveling to famous religious cities such as Jerusalem, Rome or Santiago de Compostela.
The Age of the Grand Tour (1613-1785)
The Grand Tour was a trend launched by wealthy families in England, which evolved as a status symbol for noblemen, trend which spread throughout Europe. The Grand Tour was the mother of early-booking, being planned many months, even years before the trip, which lasted between 10 months and 3 years. The starting point was usually London, then followed important cities in Central Europe, including Cologne. In September the crossing of the Alps took place, and the winter was spent in Rome. Below you can see the route of the Mozart family, which started, of course, in Salzburg.
Why did the noblemen organized these trips? They were, as the Germans say, "Bildungsreisen", educational trips, where the participant learned the principles of noble's etiquette , diplomacy rules, but also culture elements and foreign languages. Moreover they would extend their network and even find a future wife. Years later, the tour was standardized, depending on the starting location, and ritualized.
At the end of the golden age of the Grand Tour, more and more people from the middle social layer started making this tour, following the industrial development and increased financial possibilities. The tour was no longer reserved to noblemen and as a result they searched for something new, such as beach resorts. During the winter, English noblemen spent wonderful vacations at Nice, admiring the panorama on the "Promenade des Anglais". During these years, the transport infrastructure and the travel conditions were improved through the construction of railways.
The Grand Tour was a trend launched by wealthy families in England, which evolved as a status symbol for noblemen, trend which spread throughout Europe. The Grand Tour was the mother of early-booking, being planned many months, even years before the trip, which lasted between 10 months and 3 years. The starting point was usually London, then followed important cities in Central Europe, including Cologne. In September the crossing of the Alps took place, and the winter was spent in Rome. Below you can see the route of the Mozart family, which started, of course, in Salzburg.
Why did the noblemen organized these trips? They were, as the Germans say, "Bildungsreisen", educational trips, where the participant learned the principles of noble's etiquette , diplomacy rules, but also culture elements and foreign languages. Moreover they would extend their network and even find a future wife. Years later, the tour was standardized, depending on the starting location, and ritualized.
At the end of the golden age of the Grand Tour, more and more people from the middle social layer started making this tour, following the industrial development and increased financial possibilities. The tour was no longer reserved to noblemen and as a result they searched for something new, such as beach resorts. During the winter, English noblemen spent wonderful vacations at Nice, admiring the panorama on the "Promenade des Anglais". During these years, the transport infrastructure and the travel conditions were improved through the construction of railways.
The Thomas Cook Age
Once upon a time, in the mids of the 19th century, lived in the UK an Englishman named Cook, Thomas Cook. This man will later be called in the business books the father of the modern tourism. But how did i all begin?
In the summer of 1841 Cook worked together with the Railway Society, offering the first touristic package that was ever drafted to a group of 540 members and supporters of the Temperance Movement (He was also a member). The tour started in the Campbell Street Train Station in Leicester and ended 11 miles further in Loughborough, where a horse race took place. For the price of 1 shiling, the tourists were entitled to the ride and lunch aboard the train car. For this service Cook received a part of the profits. Three summers later, in the meantime organizing other trips, he decided to launch his own company - Thomas Cook.
And the wheel started to spin. In 1846 he made the first tour of Scotland with 350 tourists from Leicester and 4 years later he organized the first tour outside the United Kingdom, in France, for the Great International Exhibition in Paris.
In 1855 he organizes the first continental tour through cities like Antwerp, Brussels, Cologne, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Strasbourg and finally Paris. The year 1866 brings the marks the first tour in America and in 1869 in Egypt and Palestine.
In 1871, his son, John Mason Cook joins the company, and they change its name to Thomas Cook & Son.
Among the innovations brought by the company, worth mentioning are the hotel voucher, the circulary note, which is an incipient form of the travelers cheque, but also the first touristic brochure.
After the death of both the founder and the son, the company was taken over by the 3 nephews, which continue the legacy of the family, transforming it in one of the biggest tourism companies in the world.
Thomas Cook transformed travel into a products that was easily traded on the market in the form of travel packages. And so began the history of mass tourism. Of course, timing played a crucial role in his success. Alongside the new financial possibilities of the new middle social layer and the establishment of worker unions, which negotiated the reduced working times and offered legal paid holidays, the technological innovations regarding the transport industry contributed to the success of the tourism industry.
Once upon a time, in the mids of the 19th century, lived in the UK an Englishman named Cook, Thomas Cook. This man will later be called in the business books the father of the modern tourism. But how did i all begin?
In the summer of 1841 Cook worked together with the Railway Society, offering the first touristic package that was ever drafted to a group of 540 members and supporters of the Temperance Movement (He was also a member). The tour started in the Campbell Street Train Station in Leicester and ended 11 miles further in Loughborough, where a horse race took place. For the price of 1 shiling, the tourists were entitled to the ride and lunch aboard the train car. For this service Cook received a part of the profits. Three summers later, in the meantime organizing other trips, he decided to launch his own company - Thomas Cook.
And the wheel started to spin. In 1846 he made the first tour of Scotland with 350 tourists from Leicester and 4 years later he organized the first tour outside the United Kingdom, in France, for the Great International Exhibition in Paris.
In 1855 he organizes the first continental tour through cities like Antwerp, Brussels, Cologne, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Strasbourg and finally Paris. The year 1866 brings the marks the first tour in America and in 1869 in Egypt and Palestine.
In 1871, his son, John Mason Cook joins the company, and they change its name to Thomas Cook & Son.
Among the innovations brought by the company, worth mentioning are the hotel voucher, the circulary note, which is an incipient form of the travelers cheque, but also the first touristic brochure.
After the death of both the founder and the son, the company was taken over by the 3 nephews, which continue the legacy of the family, transforming it in one of the biggest tourism companies in the world.
Thomas Cook transformed travel into a products that was easily traded on the market in the form of travel packages. And so began the history of mass tourism. Of course, timing played a crucial role in his success. Alongside the new financial possibilities of the new middle social layer and the establishment of worker unions, which negotiated the reduced working times and offered legal paid holidays, the technological innovations regarding the transport industry contributed to the success of the tourism industry.
The first half of the XX Century
At the beginning of the XX century some major changes developed in the industry's landscape, changes which promoted development. For example, in 1905 the German Ski Association was founded, in 1909 DELAG, the world's first airline company, went on the market and in 1910 the first youth hostel, the Jugendherberge, was opened. In 1918 the workday had 8 hours of activity and since 1920, workers have received the right to paid holidays. All these factors transformed the offer, which was specialized until then on luxury target groups, and found a new market composed of workers and employees. The new orientation with lower prices meant a reduction in the average stay of the tourist and a strong focus on cost calculation. Hundreds of travel companies appeared on the market and their number continued to rise in the following years.
In 1924 the World Tourism Organization was founded and in the same year the first Modern Winter Olympic Games took place in Chamonix. In Germany, the Freikörperkultur, or FKK in short, developed and in 2016 this country still holds the first place worldwide regarding the nude tourist. The next period was marked by war and nobody has time for leisure travels.
At the beginning of the XX century some major changes developed in the industry's landscape, changes which promoted development. For example, in 1905 the German Ski Association was founded, in 1909 DELAG, the world's first airline company, went on the market and in 1910 the first youth hostel, the Jugendherberge, was opened. In 1918 the workday had 8 hours of activity and since 1920, workers have received the right to paid holidays. All these factors transformed the offer, which was specialized until then on luxury target groups, and found a new market composed of workers and employees. The new orientation with lower prices meant a reduction in the average stay of the tourist and a strong focus on cost calculation. Hundreds of travel companies appeared on the market and their number continued to rise in the following years.
In 1924 the World Tourism Organization was founded and in the same year the first Modern Winter Olympic Games took place in Chamonix. In Germany, the Freikörperkultur, or FKK in short, developed and in 2016 this country still holds the first place worldwide regarding the nude tourist. The next period was marked by war and nobody has time for leisure travels.
The second half of the XX century
After 1950, when life returned to normal and the rebuilding of Europe started, new destinations and tourism forms evolved, like the picture below shows. Regarding mass tourism, Italy and then Spain invested important capitals in touristic infrastructure, building huge hotels for the series of tourists which visited the resorts in the summertime. Price was in focus to such an extent, that for Germans in the 70' Mallorca was Housekeeper's island. Following this trend the tourism of the 3 S evolved: sun, sand, sea. Some would also add the fourth S...
Club Med, a French enterprise, on the other side specialized in the sale of all-in holidays at a number of "vacation villages". Thus in 1954 the first official Club Med was opened in Salerno, Italy. Funded by the Rothschild family, the company expanded outside Europe to destinations such as Tahiti, Caribbean and Florida.
In 1955 the first Disney World opens in California, attracting thousands of tourists of all ages. In the 60' the hippy movement also has its impact on the industry. Last-minute and all-inclusive are among the newly developed concepts, while work&travel represents the rebirth of language tourism.
After 1950, when life returned to normal and the rebuilding of Europe started, new destinations and tourism forms evolved, like the picture below shows. Regarding mass tourism, Italy and then Spain invested important capitals in touristic infrastructure, building huge hotels for the series of tourists which visited the resorts in the summertime. Price was in focus to such an extent, that for Germans in the 70' Mallorca was Housekeeper's island. Following this trend the tourism of the 3 S evolved: sun, sand, sea. Some would also add the fourth S...
Club Med, a French enterprise, on the other side specialized in the sale of all-in holidays at a number of "vacation villages". Thus in 1954 the first official Club Med was opened in Salerno, Italy. Funded by the Rothschild family, the company expanded outside Europe to destinations such as Tahiti, Caribbean and Florida.
In 1955 the first Disney World opens in California, attracting thousands of tourists of all ages. In the 60' the hippy movement also has its impact on the industry. Last-minute and all-inclusive are among the newly developed concepts, while work&travel represents the rebirth of language tourism.
Sport tourism has also cut its share of the market. Already in 1908 the first ski slopes and lift have been built, in 1931 the first world ski competition took place and since 1936, ski is an Olympic discipline. Below you can admire Mathias Zdarsky, probably the first ski instructor of Austria, the man who perfected the alpine ski technique. However, after the 50' ski became a sport for the masses. The technological improvement meant increased safety and starting from 1970, the winter season surpasses the summer season in the Alps, regarding the number of tourists. In this way, sky becomes the world's leading winter sport. 10 years later already a new trend and a new target group evolves: snowboard.
Regarding the trends that were opposed to mass tourism, individual tourism and especially Backpack tourism evolved. These trips can last between 40 and 70 days, having as purpose the integration in the host society. In order to cover the expenses, tourists work in different places, where human contact is in focus. Other directions include Ecotourism, Spa&Wellness, but also Cruises.
Regarding the trends that were opposed to mass tourism, individual tourism and especially Backpack tourism evolved. These trips can last between 40 and 70 days, having as purpose the integration in the host society. In order to cover the expenses, tourists work in different places, where human contact is in focus. Other directions include Ecotourism, Spa&Wellness, but also Cruises.
Although the history of tourism continues today, I will let your imagination flow onwards. I hope that you enjoyed the story and discovered something new. But I still have some questions for you. Which of these forms do you enjoy and practice the most often? What do you think the future holds for us as experiential travelers?
See you in the next article!
R.C.
See you in the next article!
R.C.
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