Evolution of the Hospitality Industry

The Five Ages of Tourism Pre-Industrial Revolution (prior to 1840) Railway Age Automobile Age Jet Aircraft Age Cruise Ship Age

Pre-Industrial Revolution Travel was motivated by trade as well as finding more plentiful food supplies Wealthy Romans traveled for pleasure to visit shrines, seaside resorts, and the pyramids of Egypt Religious pilgrimages were also a main source of travel

Railway Age Railroads played a major role in the development of the US. Prior travel was done by horse and carriage By 1869 the transcontinental connection was complete which allowed travelers to cross the country in 6 days (compared to several months by horse and carriage)

Railway Age Trains ensured passenger comfort with dining cars and sleeping cars Railroads continued to extend their lines into the twentieth century as rail travel was booming The Great Depression of the 1930s and World War II began the decline of the industry.

Railway Age In order to keep rail travel alive, the US government created AMTRAK in 1971 AMTRAK serves over 500 rail stations covering 45 states

Automobile Age Henry Ford’s automobile assembly line in 1914 gave way to the next form of passenger travel Highways and interstates were built across the country Hotels and restaurants sprang up along the highways to benefit from the number of drivers The automobile age gave Americans the ability to travel to places that were previously not easily accessible.

Jet Aircraft Age The Wright brothers built the first motorized aircraft in 1903. In 1909 an airplane crossed the English Channel. By 1919 scheduled passenger service was being offered between London and Paris. Air travel is the most common form of transportation for long distance travel.

Cruise Ships Cruising was first introduced in the 1970s. During the 70s, approx. 500,000 passengers traveled on a cruise ship By 2010, it is expected that over 7.2 million passengers will travel on a cruise ship. Cruising is viewed as a leisurely, romantic form of travel.