Macro Perspective

Industry Milestone & Terms

Games are held in honor of Apollo at Olympia in Greece. People traveled from far and wide to attend.

776 BC

Building begins on the Appian Way, one of the earliest paved roads, stretching from Rome to Capua, 19 miles (30.5 km) north of Naples, Italy.

312 BC

The Roman Catholic Church constructs Gothic cathedrals in Europe that attract pilgrims and sightseers for generations.

1200 AD

Marco Polo explores routes from Europe to China, stopping along the way at primitive caravanserais (inns).

1275-1292

In England, a ship captain receives a "pilgrim-shipper's" license. Santiago de Compostela, Spain, is a popular destination for people visiting the alleged tomb of St. James.

1394

The British Museum opens to the public. Previously, collections were private or owned by the church.

1759

The Industrial Revolution changes the work people do and how they do it, builds the middle class, and gives people more free time for leisure and travel.

1800s

In England, Thomas Cook organizes a group tour for 570 people a day excursion by train to a temperance meeting.

1841

Prince Grimaldi of Monaco develops his poor country as a winter health resort with a gambling casino. Its success enables Monaco to abolish income taxes; tourism helps solve economic problems.

1850s

The so-called Golden Age of Travel for the rich.

1880-1939

The railroads' need for precise timetables leads the United States to establish standard time zones.

1883

The suntan becomes an emblem of health and beauty and influences people's choice of vacation destinations.

1920s

The first American travel industry journal, Travel Trade, makes its debut.

1929

Duncan Hines, a traveling salesman, compiles a list of his 167 favorite places to eat and sends copies as greeting cards. Requests for his list result in Adventures in Good Eating, one of the first restaurant guides.

1935

France passes the first paid-vacation law.

1936

In England, the jet aircraft, designed for military service, makes its debut.

1941

Bugsy Siegel builds a hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, transforming the sleepy desert town into a destination specializing in entertainment.

1947

Arthur Frommer self-publishes his G.I.'s Guide to Europe, priced at 55 cents, the precursor to his $5 a Day travel guides.

1955

On January 22, a Pan American Boeing 747 taxis on the runway at JFK International Airport and takes off for London's Heathrow Airport. The age of the jumbo jet and mass tourism begins.

1970

The Rouse Company opens its first festival marketplace- Boston's Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market

1976

Preservation and ecotourism become major priorities for destinations. Special-interest travel grows, while world terrorism begins to affect the industry.

1990s

World terrorism affects the tourism industry.

2001

How easily a destination, facility, or service can be reached, entered, and used by all people, including those with disabilities, limited mobility, or special needs; also includes transport convenience and affordability rentals.

Accessibility

Any facility or place that provides lodging or a temporary stay for travellers, such as hotels, resorts, inns, and vacation.

Accommodation

Extra facilities, services, or conveniences offered to improve comfort and satisfaction, such as Wi-Fi, swimming pools, toiletries, parking, and concierge services.

Amenities

Primary sites, features, or experiences that draw visitors to a destination and are a main reason people travel there.

Attractions

Travel and tourism activities by residents within their own country or region; it does not involve crossing international borders.

Domestic tourism

Activities, performances, or events designed to amuse, engage, and occupy visitors during a trip, such as shows, festivals, theme parks, and nightlife.

Entertainment

A visitor who stays less than 24 hours at a destination and does not spend the night; often called a day-tripper.

Excursionist

The sector that provides meals, drinks, and dining experiences; it includes restaurants, cafés, bars, catering, and local food experiences.

Food and beverage (F&B:)

The relationship between host and guest; the practice of receiving, welcoming, and caring for visitors with friendliness, warmth, and quality service.

Hospitality

Travel to a country or region other than one's usual place of residence; it involves crossing international borders and typically includes overnight stays.

International tourism

Synonymous with accommodation; specifically refers to providing a place to sleep or reside temporarily for travellers.

Lodging

Sites created or significantly modified by humans for tourism, culture, or leisure, such as historic buildings, museums, theme parks, monuments, and cultural centres.

Man-made attractions

Landscapes, ecosystems, or features formed by nature that draw visitors, such as mountains, beaches, forests, waterfalls, coral reefs, and wildlife reserves.

Natural attractions

An interconnected system of organisations, businesses, transport links, and communication channels that support tourism operations and information flow.

Network

Leisure activities done for enjoyment, relaxation, or physical refreshment during free time or travel, such as hiking. swimming, sports, and sightseeing.

Recreation

Specific physical locations or places of interest that visitors go to see or experience; these may be natural, cultural, or purpose built.

Site attractions

A business that plans, assembles, and organises complete travel packages combining transport, accommodation, and activities; it sells them directly or through travel agents.

Tour operator

The activities of people travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business, or other purposes.

Tourism

A visitor who stays at least 24 hours (one night) in a place outside their usual environment for leisure, business, or other purposes.

Tourist

A geographical location or place that attracts visitors and provides the range of facilities, services, and experiences they need.

Tourist destination

The total bundle of experiences offered to a visitor, including attractions, services, amenities, hospitality, and the destination's image what the tourist purchases and remembers.

Tourist Product

Assistance, facilities, and support provided to travellers, such as transport, guides, information, booking, currency exchange, and visitor centres.

Tourist services

A retail business or person acting as an intermediary who sells travel services, packages, and bookings on behalf of airlines, hotels, and tour operators to the public.

Travel agent

A general term for any person travelling to or staying in a place outside their usual environment, whether overnight (a tourist) or for a shorter period (an excursionist).

Visitor