The History and Evolution of Tourism

This book provides an overview of the history and evolution of tourism to the present, and speculates on possible and probable change into the future. It discusses significant travel, tourism and hospitality events while referring to tourism-related notions and theories that have been developed since the beginnings of tourism. Its scope moves beyond a comprehensive historical account of facts and events. Instead, it bridges these with contemporary issues, challenges and concerns, hence enabling readers to connect tourism past with the present and future. This textbook aspires to enhance readers’ comprehension of the perplexed system of tourism, promoting decision-making and even the development of new theories. Despite its academic orientation, the book is written in an approachable style enabling a clear and solid understanding of how tourism has evolved through the centuries. It uses several practitioner-linked, real-life examples and case studies derived from organizations and enterprises across all aspects of the tourism, travel and events industries. This book will be of great interest to academics, practitioners and students from a wide variety of disciplines, including tourism, hospitality, events, sociology, psychology, philosophy, history and human geography.