The History of the Accommodations or Lodging Industry

 Reason why lodging industry developed: there is a need to provide accommodations for travelers.
 Early period= roadside inns were mentioned in both Old and New Testaments. The early reference to
the inn is found in the Bible when Joseph was told “There is no room at the inn” when Mary was about
to give birth to Jesus.
 Middle Ages- 13th and 14th centuries, German and English literature made frequent reference to the
inn.
 Late medieval period- development of the inn due to the improvements in security in many European
societies. It had become safe to travel.
 Industrial Revolution- 1700s and early 1500s- great demand for accommodation as people migrated to
the cities to work. The emerging middle class could afford accommodations when traveling away from
home.
 With the development of spas- hotel industry grew
 1750- Brighton, Blackpool, Southern and other English resorts attract bathers
 Seaport inns- America’s first hotels. Ex: Manhattan’s Fraunces Tavern
 Middle of the 17th century- public stagecoach system appeared
 Lodging industry was influenced by the development of road transport.
 Coach service established by innkeepers to attract business
 Inn was used not only as a boarding house but also as a booking office, waiting place, eating
establishment, and as center of the town’s social activities.
 1820s and 1830s in Europe- different kind of hotel developed (depot hotels). Large hotels built next or
across the downtown railroad station. In U.S.- hotels were constructed along the railroad network.
 Introduction and development of the automobile industry- led to the establishment of the roadside
hotel. With the construction of highways and expressways, lodging industry responded to the needs of
the motorist. Motor hotel (Motel) emerged.
 After WW2- increased number of travelers who demanded more and more hotel space due to the
advances in air transportation
 Widespread use of the car led hoteliers to build more roadside motels. Business travelers demanded to
build more roadside motels, specialized accommodations, including meeting and convention facilities.
 Recent major hotel growth was in the airports, downtown, and resort areas
 Ellsworth Statler- first hotel chain pioneer in U.S. Statler’s chain had built in Buffalo, Cleveland, St.
Louis, Detroit, Boston, and New York.
 Hilton Corporation- the most famous deluxe hotel. Conrad Hilton built the world’s most popular hotel
in New York (Waldorf Astoria) and the largest hotel in U.S (Conrad Hilton Hotel in Chicago) with 3,000
rooms
 Among the first class hotels, the fastest growing group was the Sheraton chain by Ernest Henderson.
The chain is now owned by International Telephone and Telegraph Company (ITT)
 1952- Kemmons Wilson founded the Holiday Inn chain and its concept of clean, comfortable,
reasonably-priced accommodations for the ordinary traveler.
 1960s- popularity of the sun vacation brought about the development of the resort hotel. It catered to
the vacation traveler who stayed for a number of days. It is different from the traditional hotel because
it provided a wide range of special services and it targeted a special interest group like sun enthusiasts,
golfers, tennis players, scuba divers, and honeymooners.
 The change in the function of the hotel brought about a change in its architecture. Owners renovated
older, downtown properties, and adapted them to the needs of the modern day traveler. Hotels
changed in appearance as extra features were added such as glass-covered elevators, atrium lobbies, a
variety of restaurants and bars, functional meeting rooms, and a full array of recreational
opportunities.

 Atrium concept in hotels introduced by John Portman, boosted the popularity of Hyatt
 Overseas expansion of the American chains- another recent development. Hotels which met international
standards became an export item in the U.S.
 Hilton international- opened its first hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico (1949). It opened a hotel in Berlin (1958) then
several properties in Europe
 Intercontinental hotels opened many hotels in Latin America before 1960. At present, it has 109 properties in 49
nations.
 Sheraton opened its first hotel in Canada (1949)
 Holiday inn opened its first property in Montreal (1960). At present, it has 221 international hotels in 52
countries outside the U.S.