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Ancient times -

Traveling came about for many reasons. Throughout the world, cultures moved around in order to conquer other areas, as well as to control trade routes and various resources.

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The Maya people went beyond their borders -

The Mayas, who lived in modern-day Mexico, didn't only travel to see what was beyond their own borders—they also wanted to spread their civilization.

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Travel for curiosity -

The Phoenicians, a civilization that mainly lived in modern-day Lebanon around 2500–64 BCE, traveled not only to develop trade routes, but also due to curiosity. They had a desire to discover what laid beyond the Mediterranean Sea.

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The empire era -

It is hard to know exactly when travel turned into what we would define as tourism. However, the empire era, which included the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, was influential when it came to traveling.

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The empire era -

People traveled for various reasons, be it commercial, educational, governmental, or religious purposes. This was largely thanks to consolidated governments in different central locations across the Mediterranean.

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Traveling had a purpose -

And due to consolidated governments, travel became a necessity to promote the use of a common language as well. Greek and Latin were the main ones.

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Romans and their roads -

Travel evolved further with the ancient Romans. They constructed roads and even opened inns for travelers to rest at night.

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Romans and their roads -

Cities throughout the Roman Empire, such as Pompeii, became destinations for the middle and upper classes to explore during their downtime. The roads helped them travel quickly and safely.

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The Middle Ages and the Renaissance era -

After the fall of the Roman Empire, travel became almost nonexistent and dangerous as regions had become autonomous.

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Pilgrimage -

Religion was the center of life back in the Middle Ages. So when people traveled, it would often be to a sacred place nearby in the form of pilgrimage. This was also the time when the crusaders went out to take the Holy Land.

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Marco Polo -

Merchants like Marco Polo started to travel far and wide after the failed crusades. His travels, particularly along the Silk Road between 1271 and 1295, awoke a new interest in traveling for others.

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Cyriacus of Ancona -

The first real tourist, according to historians, was Italian humanist and antiquarian Cyriacus of Ancona. He traveled around the Mediterranean, eager to learn about Greek and Roman history. This encouraged others to think about how travel could benefit education.

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The Grand Tour era -

The Grand Tour era (1613-1785) was when tourism as we know it today really came into play. Starting with the most wealthy in society, people traveled to learn.

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Tour around Europe -

Those who were "coming of age" would travel throughout Europe to see art, architecture, and science. The most popular destinations were France, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy.

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Peter the Great of Russia -

One famous young aristocrat who traveled around Western Europe was Peter the Great of Russia. He spent a significant amount of his time in the Netherlands.

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Changing times with the Industrial Revolution -

The Industrial Revolution, which began in the second half of the 18th century, resulted in a major economic, social, and technological transformation.

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The mobility era -

As time moved on, an extensive network of railways was built, making travel for leisure a reality for many. The mobility era (1800-1944) was defined by an increase in travel to new locations, both near and far.

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Thomas Cook -

English businessman Thomas Cook was the first to introduce tour packages, which included travel and accommodation. In 1841, he arranged a tour for around 570 people to travel from Loughborough to Leicester. There was an instant demand for more.

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The first scheduled international passenger flight -

On August 25, 1919, the first regular international passenger air service took place between London and Paris. This represented a new era in commercial flying.

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Mass production of cars -

With Henry Ford’s mass production of the Model T in 1914, individuals had more freedom to travel. It was a revolution when it came to transportation.

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Coastal tourism -

Thanks to the mass production of cars as well as buses, the tourism industry continued to grow. Coastal tourism would rise in popularity after WWI, with people wanting to visit the seaside.

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The modern era -

The modern era of tourism saw a boom in commercial air travel. This meant the time it took to travel long distances was much shorter, encouraging people to discover the world.

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George Westinghouse -

American entrepreneur and engineer George Westinghouse introduced the idea of paid leave from work. He believed that allowing staff paid time off would be beneficial to productivity levels overall. This gave the working and middle classes in certain countries the time and money to travel.

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Post-war travel -

With gas no longer rationed after WWII, economies started growing and cars became mass-produced again. Especially in the US, people started traveling around in their vehicles, which resulted in the motel business taking off as well.

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A boom in hotels and motels -

Many factors contributed to the exponential growth of the travel industry. For example, in the 1950s, hotels and motels took to the franchising model of business expansion.

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Introduction of the credit card -

The 1950s also saw the introduction of the credit card, originally the Diners Club card. This provided travelers the means to buy things wherever they were without the hassle of currency exchange and carrying cash.

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The emergence of mass tourism -

The tourism sector suffered a recession during the 1970s, mainly due to the energy crisis, leading to lower costs and prices. That's when mass tourism emerged and traveling became a leisure activity within the reach of many.

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New era of tourism -

In the following decades, there was a progressive internationalization of hotel companies, travel agencies, and airlines. Sports and spa activities were also offered.

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The tourism sector today -

The tourism sector has become an economic engine in many countries, forming part of the international political agenda. In recent years, with low-cost flights and alternative accommodations, it's much easier for tourists to afford to travel and design their own itinerary. 

Sources: (DW) (Matador Network)

See also: The best travel destinations based on your zodiac sign 

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