→ EARLY TRAVEL
Earlier travel was essentially to seek food or to escape danger. Travel was also undertaken for trade. Growth of cities along fertile river banks like Nile etc. encouraged water travel. Ancient empires like the Romans helped shape modern travel.
→ THE EMPIRE ERA
THE EGYPTIANS
As its peak the travel for business and pleasure flourished. Travel to outlining cities was necessary. Various amenities were offered to travelers. They travelled for pleasure and festivals were held every year.
THE PERSIANS
They started to travel initially for military use. Later facilities earlier used for military were transform to facilitate travel. Road were built, markets were established to indicate distances. Safety to travelers was given importance.
THE GREEKS
Greeks were the first, who shaped the modern day travel. Pleasure travel was popular. They provided all the amenities required.
THE ROMANS
The prosperity of the roman empire was reflected in the development of travel. They built excellent roads, transportation and communication systems. The Romans included a large group of middle class who had money and time to travel. They built rest houses.
→ RENAISSANCE AND GRAND TOUR (AD 1763-1773)
The rise of Italy as intellectual capital of Europe. Grand tour is a tour to the principal cities and places of interest in Europe, formerly said to be an essential part of the education of the young man of ‘good birth’ and ‘fortune’. Main travelers were diplomats, business people and scholars. Mainly for career, education, literary, health, scientific, business, and economic reasons.
FATHER OF TOURISM AND TRAVEL Thomas Cook is the Father of Tourism. His organized trip was ‘Leicester to Loughborough’ in 1841. He acted as an agent by buying tickets in bulk and selling it to others on a non-profit basis. This gave him an idea to package tours in a profitable manner. He organized the first ‘inclusive tour’ to Paris