In this lens, the rapidly-growing hospitality industry is discussed. 'History of the Hospitality Industry' takes a look at where the hospitality industry came from and where it is headed.
History of the Hospitality Industry
Why do we care?
As many scholars begin to look for jobs in a market economy that seems to shrink every day, it is good to see a glimmer of hope. As many top corporations in every sector struggle to make a profit, the hospitality industry actually shows a sizeable amount of growth. Between 2009 and 2014, this trend is supposed to continue; the industry has been adding 17 percent more wage and salary jobs each year. The hospitality industry has also been providing many young people with their first jobs- more than 21 percent of the workers in these establishments were between 16 and 19 years old. This is about 5 times the proportion in any other industry. With so much growth, the hospitality industry is a business sector worth keeping an eye on, both for those looks for jobs and those looking to invest. We cannot get ahead of ourselves though! Before really understanding the whole picture, we must first look at where the hospitality industry originated.
History of the Hospitality Industry
Origins
Caring for travelers has been a fundamental element of civilized societies since long before the birth of the hospitality company or the Holiday Inn Express. In ancient Greece, guest rights were one of the few established sets of conventions that were universally accepted amongst diverse cultures within the Greek world. Likewise, stewardship towards guests can be seen extensively in biblical passages. Hospitality did not begin in the Bible or in Greece; it has existed since man first established permanent settlements. Before then, the concept of hospitality could not exist as everyone was nomadic. Ever since, hospitality has become more than an isolated cultural establishment-- but a worldwide occurrence