Timeline: How Travel & Tourism Started

1600

1) Introduction

The UK Tourism industry has grown by £18.5bn over the last two years. The Travel Tourism industry is experiencing growth in various areas including adventure, wellness and responsible tourism, creating opportunities for professionals with a range of skills. Tourism is one of the UKs largest and most successful industries.

1670

2) The Grand Tour

The Grand tour began as a journey for the wealthy young men in 1670 Europe, to complete their education by experiencing classical sites, art and culture, It was preparing young men for polite society. Travelers visited major cities like Paris, Rome, Florence, and Venice to study classical antiquities, view Renaissance art, and learn about history and architecture.

1700

3) The growth of Spa Towns

The spas became more popular due to the medical beliefs, fashionable traits, infrastructure development, royal endorsement and leisure and socialization. Doctors promoted the healing properties of mineral springs. The spas had visits from royalty such ass Queen Anne and Prince George to bath, once the royalty visit somewhere everyone follows. 'Taking the waters' became a fashionable trend for the upper classes, attracting people to the spa towns.

1800

4) The growth of Beach Resorts

Health theorists recognized that the minerals to be found in spa waters were also found in seawater. However travelling to the beaches was expensive back then, so in the early nineteenth century, steamboat services from London to the beach resorts were introduced. Beyond health, seaside towns became more popular for entertainment offering activities, food and social gatherings for holidaymakers.

1840

5) How the Railways helped Tourism grow

Trains were first introduced for coal however when people started showing interest in beach resorts, George Stephenson came up with a brilliant idea of charging people to use the trains to travel to the beaches as they were a long Journey away. they were a faster and cheaper travel and the growth of seaside resorts increased a lot.

1930

6) The rise and fall of Holiday camps

The rise happened just after WW2, rise in disposable income and the introduction of paid holidays created an appetite for affordable, accessible family vacations. Billy Butlin who created 'Butlins' holiday park offered an all-inclusive concept with chalet accommodation, meals and organised entertainment, from sports to talent shows. However, the fall happened in the 1960s when people saw the rise of cheap charter flights to exotic locations drawing holiday makers away from traditional UK resorts

1950

8) The changes in leisure time and working patterns

Work patterns became more in a regular pattern, with a typical 9-5 schedule and a 40-hour working week. Employees in the 1950 especially in the U.S experienced more leisure time than ever before. Many years after the second world war the UK economy started to improve, paid annual leave became the norm and the influence of TV which appeard in many homes, saw an increase in travel for leisure.

1950

7) Development of Package Holidays

The 1950s marked the birth of the modern package holiday. Valdimir Raitz organized the first mass package tour, the £32.50 price included return flights accommodation and full board. Other companies soon followed Valdimir's idea, further popularizing package tours.

1977

9) The rise of Budget Airlines

In 1977, Sir Freddie laker launched his sky train service from London to New York, significantly lowering the cost of air travel for the average person and laying the groundwork for modern budget carriers, such as Southwest airlines inspired and encouraged airlines to offer more competitive pricing to keep passengers engaged in the airlines service.

1983

10) How the internet has changed the Industry

The internet revolutionized the travel and tourism industry by empowering travelers with access to information and personalized experiences through online booking platforms like online travel agents, travel blogs and review sites. Online platforms and booking systems allows travelers to book flights, hotels, cars and tours instantly often with just a few clicks.

2018

11) Package travel and Linked Travel Arrangements

These regulations impact on retail travel agents as they cover not only the organization of the package holidays but also the selling of them. Pre-packaged arrangements by tour operators, little flexibility for consumers as to the date and prices, multiple choice but limited ability to customize. Linked travel arrangements, a customer having booked online through a website then is invited to book another service through a targeted link within 24hrs.