Timeline: The history of Travel and Tourism

1600

Introduction

Travel and Tourism has been around for a very long time for the people who want to travel and see new places. There are several different trips you can do from a short site seeing holiday or a longer summer holiday for relaxation. Since the start of travel and tourism until now it has become a lot more popular. This timeline is all about the big moments in travel history, showing how Travel and Tourism has changed through out a long period of time.

1670

The Grand Tour

In the UK, the Grand Tour became popular with rich families around 1670. Young men from wealthy backgrounds were sent to travel in Europe to learn about art, history, culture, and to prepare them for adult life. Even though the trips happened abroad, they had a big influence on Britain. When people came back home, they brought new ideas that changed the way houses, gardens, and art collections looked. The Grand Tour became a symbol of being well-educated and part of the upper class in the UK.

1700

The growth of Spa Towns

During 1700, Spa towns grew massively within popularity and become a destination for leisure, health and socialising. The towns offered mineral waters which people believed they were for healing purposes, so tourists visited to seek cures for various different things. These towns were Bath located in England and Spa in Belgium became the main example, they offered gardens, and bathhouses. They played a massive role in shaping lots of leisure activities in the 18th century.

1800

The growth of beach resorts

When trains made travel cheaper and easier, seaside trips became something that ordinary working families could enjoy too. Resorts such as Blackpool grew quickly, with piers, amusement rides, and hotels, making the British seaside a big part of the country’s holiday culture.

1800

The growth of Beach Resorts

Beach resorts in the UK started to grow during the 1800s when more people began visiting the seaside for fun and relaxation. At first, only rich people could afford to go, as they believed sea air and bathing were good for their health. Places like Brighton and Scarborough became popular spots for holidays.

1840

How the railways helped tourism grow

Railway services made tourism a lot more popular and easier in 1840, this made travelling faster, cheaper and more accessible for tourists. Railway transport allowed people to get from different cities, coastal areas and popular scenic locations allowing tourists to visit the places they wanted to. Doing this allowed further work for railway transport for them to introduce new destinations for the usage of inbound and domestic tourists in the UK.

1840

How the railways helped tourism grow

The first person to organise a trip using a train was Thomas Cook. In 1841, he arranged a special train journey for about 500 people to travel from Leicester to Loughborough for a campaign against alcohol. He did this to make travel cheaper and more organised for ordinary people. Cook’s idea was a big success as this later grew into Thomas Cook Son, one of the world’s first travel companies, helping people take holidays by train all over Britain and eventually across Europe.

1930

The rise and fall of holiday camps

Holiday camps became popular because they made tourism affordable and easy for working-class families. Things changed as more people started travelling abroad and with cars becoming more popular people wanted more personal holidays rather than sticking to what was easy. Because of expansion on several other holidays the popularity of holiday camps declined.

1930

The rise and fall of holiday camps

Holiday camps like Butlin’s became popular in the UK from the 1930s because they offered cheap and easy holidays for working families. The first camp opened in Skegness in 1936, started by Billy Butlin. Everything was included — food, shows, and fun activities — all in one place. After World War II, more people had paid holidays, and Butlin’s became a favourite way for British families to enjoy seaside breaks together.

1930

The rise and fall of holiday camps

Holiday camps like Butlin’s became less popular from the 1970s because cheap package holidays abroad offered better weather and more choice. As travel became easier, many families preferred going overseas instead of staying at British seaside camps.

1950

Development of package holidays

During the 1950's package holidays grew because of the increasing affordability allowing more people to book them. Planes made outbound tourism accessible for UK tourists and inbound tourists coming into the Uk and tour operators for example; Thomas Cook looked for you accommodate, flight times and dates, and specific activities individuals would like to do all included into a fixed price. With package holidays becoming bigger tourists could travel more affordably and more convenient.

1950

The changes in leisure time and working patterns

In 1950 most people started having more money and free time, as the economy was doing a lot better when the War had finished. More jobs were in things like offices and factories, which meant regular hours and for most people the weekends off. Cars and plaines made it easier for people to get around, and the tourism industry grew with new resorts and hotels. This meant it changed how people lived and helped the economy in places tourists liked to travel.

1950

Development of package holidays

The first package holiday from the UK was organised by Thomas Cook in 1841. He arranged a train trip for about 500 people from Leicester to Loughborough for a temperance meeting. This was the first time travel, food, and tickets were sold together as one deal — what we now call a package holiday. Later, Thomas Cook expanded his business to include trips across Britain and eventually to Europe, making travel easier and more affordable for ordinary people.

1983

How the internet has changed the industry

Before the internet booking a trip meant going to a travel agents to book your holiday, but now that you can book everyone online it makes it a lot easier to compare prices and find the best deals. Online you can look through several review pages for example trip adviser to know exactly what to expect for the accommodation you are looking to book. Having the internet means if you want to book a last minute weekend away you can do so within minutes without having to go to the travel agents.

1997

The rise of budget airline

In 1997 budget airlines like easy jet started showing up and completely changed air transport. These budged airlines made tourism a lot more affordable by charging extra for things like food and extra luggage. Budget airlines purposely flew out from smaller airports like Bristol and Cardiff, and told their tickets online. Because of these budget airlines tourists could get around and go on holidays for a fraction the price of airlines charge.

2018

Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements

In 2018, new rules for travelling were created to protect us when we book holidays/trips. This regulation means weather you're booking a package holiday or just flights and accommodation on the same website, you're covered if something goes wrong. For example if the company goes bust, you will never be left with nothing. This regulation protects and keeps our holidays safe so tourists don't need to worry about something going wrong.