1. Evolution of the Hospitality Industry

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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.