Development of International

Tourism- The Historical

Perspective
Dr. Kingsley Guruge
Retired Senior Lecturer in Geography
Sri Lanka

Queen of Sheba - The

First Traveller
Sheba's desire to encounter Solomon was
ardent enough for her to embark on a 1400
mile journey, across the desert sands of
Arabia, along the coast of the Red Sea, up into
Moab, and over the Jordan River to
Jerusalem. Such a journey required at least six
months time each way, since camels could
rarely travel as much as 20 miles per day.

Evolution of International Tourism

FOUR MAJOR PERIODS OF TOURISM
DEVELOPMENT
Period Before 1840 A.D. ( From Greek,
and Roman Periods up to 1840)

Development of Seaside Resorts

The Grand Tour
Industrial revolution in Europe and its
impact on International tourism

2. Age

of Rail and Water Transport

(1840 1914)

Impact of railways on horse driven

carriages
Thomas Cooks travels
Development of Seaside Resorts
Take over of ferry services by railway

3. Period Beginning from 1914 to the

mid 20th century

1st World War and its impact on

International tourism

4.

2nd Half of the 20th

Century

Introduction of high powered jet air

crafts for air travel

Other factors affecting tourist mobility

Greek & Roman Period

Very first travelers were Babylonians,

Phoenicians and Polynesians

Mode of Travel: primitive canoes

Navigation Tools: moon and stars
Romans traveled on horseback

Travel Motives: Pleasure, Religious Reasons

Destinations: Greece, Mediterranean Countries

Women Travelers of the Classical

Period

St. Sylvia of Aquitane

Fabiola
Melania
Paula

The
Grand
Tour
Popularized during the 16 and 17 century
th

th

among

the European and American Land owners)

grand Tour was considered as a sign of prestige
First Grand Tour was in 1670 A.D. ( Popular
destinations were France and Italy)
Golden Era of the Grand Tour began after the 7 year
war which lasted from 1756- 1763 A.D.
Between 1763-1765 A.D. 40000 British Travelers have
visited Europe.

Collapse of the Grand Tour

Political instability in France and in other

European countries due to the French
Revolution (1789)
Changes occurred regarding the purpose of
travel
Development of Spas

Development of Spas

Evolution of Spas dates back to the classical

periods of tourism development
Development of Spas was accelerated with the
educational renaissance in Europe
Popular Spas in Briton

Bath, Baxton,Tunbridge, Epson

By the end of the 18th century number of Spas

in Briton has exceeded 100.

Decline of Spas

Spa areas had to be developed to meet the needs

of the residential population
Loss of initial quality of the Spa, due to the
provision of various facilities to the incoming
high spending tourists
Exceeding the carrying carrying capacity of the Spa
areas
Emergence of seaside holiday resorts

Development of Seaside Resorts

Dr. Richard Russels article on sea water, in 1752A.D.

(Rheumatism, Abdominal Disorders, Syphilis)

Special Features of Seaside Resorts

Seaside resorts were located close to Spas

State sponsorship

Industrial Revolution in Europe

Industrilisation led to temporary movement of

people to rural areas

Development of coastal towns ( facing the

Atlantic ocean) as important harbors
Ex: Bristol , Liverpool, Glasgow

2 nd Period- 1840-1914
Age of Rail and Water Transport

The first train track , from Manchester to Liverpool

was built in 1830
By 1845 Bristol, Leeds and Birmingham was linked
with London
Development Status of the total rail track
1845 - 2500 miles
1850 - 7000 miles
At the end of the 19th century - 22,000 miles
By 1881 - more than 100 railway companies were in
operation

Thomas Cooks
1841 From Leicester to Lowborough
Travels
1850 Day trips to rural areas, and week end

trips
1851 - Leicester to London (London Exhibition)
the first package tour
1855 - To Paris ( Paris Exhibition)
1865 - An office to promote tourism was opened
In London.
1866 - Introduced a travel Magazine
1867 - Trip to America (unsuccessful)

Growth of Seaside
Growth
of Rail Transport , and better
Resorts

accessibility
Industrialization and its impact on the
environment
Old inns replaced by Modern Hotels
Construction of Middle Class hotels in towns
In 1860, all ferry services operating between
Europe and Ireland was taken over by the
railway companies

Impact of Steamships on
Travel
Steam
Ships services across Atlantic Ocean
began in 1820, and continued for 50 years
In 1840 Cunard Shipping Company , and
Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation,
Companies were formed
In 1870 Oceanic was launched
In 1870 Mauretania ( The Greyhound of the
Ocean) was launched

From 1914 to the mid 20th century

A period of continuous progress in travel

Reasons:

Existing facilities for travel through railways & steamships

Political stability in Europe
Until 1860, visa permits were not required to visit Europe
1st world war and its impact on travel visa requirements were
enforced to visit European Countries
Large scale migration between European Countries
Rail services declined, Number of companies were reduced to 4
Motor car became very popular. Pioneering motor companies were
Duryea and Studbaker Brothers, Carl Benz,Louis Renault, Ettore
Bugatti

From 1914 to the mid 20th century ( Continued)

Air travel facilities were established on a

competitive basis
French Air Ways, K. L.M. Royal Dutch Air
Lines, Lufthansa,
In 1924 Imperial Airways was established
1930 British Air Ways was formed
In 1940, B O A C was created joining the
previous 2

From 1914 to the mid 20th century ( Continued)

Steps taken during 1930s, to promote individual

mobility

Holiday Camps for low income persons,

initiated by Billy Bulton In 1936
Important holiday Camps:
Black Pool,Scar Borough,South end, Brighton,

Seaside Holiday Camps : Broad Stairs Skegness,

Clown Bay

Second Half of the 20th Century

Golden era of Tourism Development

Paid leave for employees

Introduction of more reliable, speedy jet
aircrafts ( Ex Boeing 707)
Introduction of Boeing 747 in 1970, (Seating
capacity 400, )
Commencement of Charter Flights in 1950.

Reasons for the popularity of Charter Flights

Availability of numerous aircrafts in Europe

and America, after the war.
Acceptance of Social Equality among
Europeans
Growth of the the motive of visiting seaside
resorts among common people,
Tour operators ambition of popularizing
Charter Flights
Beginning of Sun, Sea, and Sand Tourism

Other factors Associated with Tourism

Development (2nd half of the 20th century)

Measures adopted to develop the Potential

demand
Provision of paid Leave to employees
Granting a limited percentage of money (from
the employees salary)as a bonus
Introduction of Travel Now, Pay Later scheme.
Introduction of concessionary prices on trains
for group travels
Emergence of Travel Clubs

Other factors Associated with

Tourism Development
(2nd half of the 20th century)

Tourism policy in U.S.A.

Advances in technology-Supersonic jets,
Electric Trains
Theme Parks
Disney Land in Florida
Disney Land in France
Disney Land in Japan
Tampa Gardens

Advances in Communication Technology