US24724 – History of Tourism Tourism Through the Ages

US24724 – History of Tourism

Tourism Through the Ages.

IntroductionDuring this topic we will be looking at three different types of information. Firstly

we will be covering a brief overview of the sorts of tourism that has existed throughout specific periods in history; Ancient Greece and Rome, the Middle

Ages, the 18th and 19th Centuries and the period from 1900 to present day. Secondly, we will be covering the history of transport technology and the impact

of improvements in this technology on tourism. Lastly, we will look at some significant people and events that have helped shape tourism into what we see

today.

The following are important definitions useful for understanding this unit standard:

Disposable Income – This term refers to the amount of money you have available to spend after you have paid for your basic needs such as housing and food.

Fully Independent Traveller (FIT) – A new sort of tourist that began to emerge in the late 20th Century. This sort of traveller often pre-plans little more than their return ticket and instead makes daily independent decisions regarding destinations, transport and accommodation.

Generating Market - The country or city of origin from which a tourist departs, in order to undertake a tourism experience.

Impact – Used to describe the effect of an event or trend has on the tourism industry.

Infrastructure – The facilities and/or services that are needed to help a society function; for example roads, police, education etc.

Iwi – Term for social groups or tribes of New Zealand's indigenous Maori people.

Package Tour – A tourism experience that is organised for the traveller by a third party. For example joining a tour where transport and accommodation are booked for the group and included I the price.

The following are important definitions continued:

Pilgrimage – A trip mad for reasons of religious devotion. For example to visit shrine.

Progress – In this unit the term progress is used to refer to large groups of people and vehicles travelling together. For example “a royal progress of 200 people plus baggage carts”.

Prosperity – A greater access to wealth and/or disposable income.

Retinue – This word refers to people travelling as part of a progress. For example, Thomas Beckett’s retinue included a man whose job it was to sing the songs that announced Beckett’s arrival in each town he visited.

Social Class – The economic and social status of a person within a society.

Spas & Health Resorts – A natural occurring mineral spring, the waters of which are I said to have healing properties.

Tangata Whenua - Literal translation is “people of the land”. The term is used in reference to the rights and ownership held by Maori as New Zealand’s indigenous people.

Temperance – The 19th Century term for anti-alcohol campaigners, often related to church activity.

Tourism Through the Ages: A Timeline

400BC – approx. 465 ADTourism in Ancient Greece and Rome

Travel was mainly for the rich and noble. Tourists were mostly male and tended to travel between their homes and the homes of friends. Transport was slow and often

dangerous but ancient tourists still managed to visit holy sites, therapeutic spas, gladiator tournaments and of course, the original Olympic Games. People also travelled

for business purposes; for example to engage in trade.


1066 –1485Tourism in the Middle Ages

Tourism is still mainly for the rich and was often used as a way of displaying social status. Wealthy nobles travelled in huge groups, made up of attendants and servants (progresses). Transport was primitive and uncomfortable and each progress had to carry with it everything it would need for

the journey. Tourism in the Middle Ages was mainly focused on the pilgrimage to holy sites and the attendance at tournaments. Business travel continued to focus on trade.


1700 – 1900Tourism in the 18th and 19th Centuries

Early tourism during this period was focused on Spas and The Grand Tour was often confined to upper classes. As transport began to improve through steamships and railways, people other than

the very rich were also able to travel; often taking a trip to the sea side. The package tour developed, allowing woman to travel for the first time.


1900-1950Tourism in the early 20th Century

Mass tourism begins to take hold so that not just the elite are able to travel. The rise of rural tourism in Britain, as well as the development of holiday camps, provides the working classes with

the opportunity to participate in tourism for the first time. Tourism is interrupted by two World Wars during this time, however the resulting improvement in transport technology gives tourism

the opportunity to both recover and expand.


1950-2000Tourism in the late 20th Century

Tourism really starts to take off! Air travel becomes common as does the ownership of a private car; holidays become an expectation rather than an exception. Increased disposable income means

that more people can afford to travel. The internet closes the gaps between nations through information and the Free Independent Traveller (FIT) is born.


2000 - The PresentTourism in the 21st Century

The early years of the new century are peppered with adversity; the terrorism attacks of 2001, the SARS and Ebola outbreaks, economic downturn and natural disasters. Despite setbacks, tourism continues to grow and is a major international industry. Independent travel remains popular and

special interest travel is on the rise. The internet continues to play a major role in tourism operation.

Important Events Over Time That Have Effected Tourism.

1789-1799 - The French Revolution halted travel for a while but– resulted in the opening of Museums and art collections to the public for the first time.

1820 - Regular steamboat services are established between England and France.

1840 - Cunard’s first steamship makes its maiden voyage from Liverpool to Boston.

1841 - Thomas Cook organizes his first package tour; booking rail and accommodation for a temperance group.

1914-1918 – WWI; stops tourism during the war but contributes to increasing air ravel and private car ownership.

1926 – First passengers on commercial aircraft.

1936 – DC 3 comes into operation improving comfort and speed for air travellers.

1939-1945 – WWII; again halts tourism but contributes to tourism through developments in aircraft and private car.

1970 – First Jumbo Jet.

1992 – Former soviet Union disbands and Eastern Europe opens up as both a destination and generating region.

1990 Onwards – The Asian economy liberalises as a result of the dismantling of communism.

1998 – Most airlines host websites to provide customers with information and booking facilities.

2001 – September 11 attacks.

2002-2003 – SARS outbreak and bombing of Australian embassies in Jakarta.

2004 – Boxing day Tsunami.

2008 – Beginning of World economic downturn.

2014-2015 – Ebola outbreak.

Documents

US24724 – History of Tourism Tourism Through the Ages