The Evolution and

Development of
Tourism
Chapter 2
Learning Outcomes

• Understand the principal factors that have influenced the

development of tourism through time and space.
• Recognize the theme of continuity and change as a central feature
of tourism development.
• Understand that the development of tourism globally, in a given
location or at a certain time, is explained by a combination of
political, economic, social and technological influences.
Overview

• Tourism is as old as human activity. Throughout history people

have travelled for many different reasons.
• However a person had to have the means by which to consume
tourism.
• Travel for pleasure purposes is a more recent phenomenon which
has grown rapidly in the last 200 years.
• From the end of the eighteenth century, when only the wealthy few
could indulge, tourism has developed into something that many
ordinary people now consider as a necessity.
Introduction

• Early ‘tourists’ made up of the social elite, pursued pleasure and

relaxation in regions away from the main towns and cities,
epitomising modern-day tourism.
• Dependent upon several factors which have facilitated its growth and
development, particularly transport and access, leisure time and
means to afford to travel (i.e. disposable income and wealth).
• Late twentieth century saw rise of the heritage industry
• Increased debates on interpretation, management & ownership.
Tourism, history and the past: its significance
and analysis

 Themes:
• The development of tourism
• Its continuity as a phenomenon through time.

 Research approaches:
• Analysis of influences & how changes have come about
• In-depth study of specific eras and phenomena (e.g. when did it begin,
roles of private and public sectors, scale of change induced or contributed
by tourism)

 Methods: Census, Guide books, tourist business records

The origins of modern tourism

• Evolved through time building on needs, desires and opportunities of

society – literature & media influences.
• Supply and demand operating as far back as the fifteenth century.
• Seventeenth century: “Polite visiting” – upper classes travelled on
circuits of the country or took day trips to country estates of
associates/society figures, viewing architecture, gardens and works of
art (e.g. Jane Austens’s Pride and Prejudice)
• Eighteenth century: “Grand Tour” – seasonal outbound trips by young
aristocrats, perception that travel would broaden the mind.
• Length varied from 3 years in seventeenth century to six months or less
in nineteenth century. Stays of 3 months common in Paris.
7
The rise of mass domestic tourism and the seaside
resort

• While upper classes undertook Grand tours of Europe in C18th,

others visited seaside resorts and spa towns in domestic travel.
• Major tourism was Health tourism – spas like Scarborough in mid
C17th were popular for mineral and sea water properties
• UK working hours were reduced and organised in later C19th.
• UK Legislation for four annual public/bank holidays in 1871
• Northern England factories closed for holiday en masse known as
“Wake weeks” - to promote morale, efficiency and attendance.
The rise of mass domestic tourism and the seaside
resort

• Working class holidays common by 1890s – railways played

significant role to travel further, faster and more affordable.
• England and Wales the number of rail travellers increased twenty-
fold between 1840 and 1870 to seaside resorts
• Resort hierarchy developed: some like Southend becoming
embodiments of mass tourism to be ridiculed, others like
Bournemouth retaining high esteem.
• Wealthy and status conscious visitors competed with plebeian locals
for access and enjoyment of amenities.
Insight 2.1 The history of the Thomas Cook
Company: Milestones in its development

• Cook widely acknowledged for early role in promotion of domestic and

international travel, publishing Cook’s Exhibition Herald and Excursion Advertiser
in 1851
• Promoting products, services, excursions, events, including advertisements from
hotels and transport companies.
• The Excursionist highlighted power of advertisement selling 100,000 copies per
month in 1880s.
• By 1891, the company was a truly global operation, with 84 offices, 85 agencies,
2692 staff of which 1000 were in Egypt.
• By 1899, tourists were travelling on the new Trans Siberian Express and a record
year of 7 million tickets were issued.
12 Document title
Trans Siberian Routes
Understanding the development of resorts in time and
space: The resort lifecycle model

• Butler (1980) devised a model to show how tourism destinations

develop over time (See Figure 2.1 on next slide)
• Resorts moved from initial stage of being found (exploration) to
involvement and development stages, to stagnation stage. Beyond this
are decline and rejuvenation (regeneration).
• In the case of British seaside resorts, the period of 1750-1911 shows
initial growth of elite resorts on Kent and Sussex.
• In nineteenth century, many UK seaside resorts were in involvement
and development stages, not to peak until well into twentieth century.
However all locations grew at different rates.
Understanding the development of resorts in time and
space: The resort lifecycle model
Tourism in the twentieth century: c. 1900-1939
Tourism in the twentieth century: c. 1900-1939

• 1920s and 1930s early stages of collecting tourism statistics.

• For example, showing impact of Wall Street Crash slowdown in international
tourism to selected countries.
• Global flu pandemic WW1 reduced international travel and domestic tourism.
• Growing recognition of value of a holiday.
• Before WW2 the Amulree Report in UK led to the Holidays with Pay Act 1938.
• Shorter working week from 54 hours in 1919 to 48 hours in 1939.
• Doubling average weekly wages over same period were also contributing factors
to seaside and tourism growth.
Tourism in the twentieth century: c. 1900-1939
The Second World War and tourism

• According to wartime surveys, holidays were suspended.

• However many railway companies ignored government instructions
and advertising not to run extra trains at holiday times.
• Railway statistics show volume of pleasure travel from 1939 – 1945
in UK was broadly similar to pre-1939 levels.
• While travel decreased in some classes of ticket, shift to purchasing
full far tickets instead of excursion tickets saw growth after initial
outbreak of war.
Tourism in the twentieth century: 1945 -
1970

• Rapid growth in Western countries after WW2

• Period of prosperity following depression of 1930s meant greater
disposable income and more leisure time. Standard three weeks
annual holidays implemented plus growth in car ownership.
• 1950s and 1960s introduced package holidays by air using charter
aircraft.
• Radio and television in the home challenged cinema & advertising
grew. Overseas travel increased for working classes.
• Popularity of holiday camps like Butlins (1936) diminished in 1960s.
Insight 2.3
The Scandinavian tourism boom by air

• In Scandinavia, mass tourism expanded rapidly between 1950s and

1960s – charter aircraft replaced package tours by coach.
• Small population size meant package holidays were 2.5 times more
common amongst the population compared to UK.
• Sweden: minimum of 2 weeks paid leave increased to 3 weeks in 1951
and five weeks in 1978.
• Rising wages 1970s/80s meant relative cost of travel fell.
• Growth in charter traffic in Sweden (75,000 passengers 1947 to 375,000
in 1950 and 1,104,000 in 1954 to sun, sea and sand destinations like
Majorca and Canary Islands.
Tourism in the twentieth century: Post
1970
Some of the themes that are particularly significant in this period, many of which are
interrelated, include:

● Greater internationalization and globalization of tourism

● Changes in technology
● The legislative environment
● Increasing political recognition of tourism’s economic impacts
● A rise in consumer spending
● Emergence of new consumers
● Changes in products
● Development of marketing, research and information.
Tourism in the twentieth century: Post
1970
Linking history and tourism:
The rise of heritage tourism

• Historic buildings and places with cultural and religious significance, e.g.
the Acropolis, the Pyramids, the Taj Mahal and the city of Nazareth, act
as the focal point for many holiday excursions and a backdrop for many
city breaks.
• Also recent history i.e. South Africa apartheid themes and dark tourism.
• Industrial heritage e.g. UK where six such sites have attained World
Heritage Site.
• However, challenges conflicting between promotion and conservation of
historic environment.
Conclusion

• Development of tourism in the last 200 years has been inextricably

linked to political, economic, social and technological influences.
• Those without the financial means or time available have not been able
to participate.
• Destinations move through a cycle of development which lead to a
stage of consolidation (at least) or decline (at worst) and where a
catalyst for change can be mobilized.
• Globalization and a greater competition for tourism mean places need
to stay ahead of the game through reinvestment.
Discussion Questions

1. Suggest how employment changes have affected tourism.

2. Suggest how economic changes have affected tourism in the
last 100 years.
3. Show how changes in fashion have affected the popularity of
selected destinations.
4. What different types of tourist go on holiday in the UK and
why?