In order for us to look at the origins of the hospitality and tourism industry, it is necessary to know
that the industry can be divided into three distinct, but not separate, categories. Lodging, Travel,
and Food and Beverage.
LODGING:
When the priests, pilgrims and missionaries began travelling to religious sites throughout Eastern
Europe, accommodations became necessary. The early inns are described as private homes that
citizens opened up as an act of charity.
As the road systems developed in the Roman Era, inns and taverns began to develop and increase
alongside the roads. These provided basic shelter for merchants and scholars and for those on
government or military business. Most of these accommodations were stables for the animals and
sometimes mattresses on the floor for travelers with bread for food. Accommodations became more
elaborate as travel increased to Asia. The inns not only provided separate sleeping quarters for
travelers, but also food and fresh horses. These accommodations were said to be superior to the
Western World's.
During the Middle Ages, monasteries opened their doors to travelers. They provided free lodging
and treated travelers better than the nobles. The monasteries grew their own food and their kitchens
were cleaner than most inns. In 1282, a group of innkeepers in Italy formed an association. This
changed the way lodging would operate. The industry or business of lodging was developed, and it
was now a profitable business and no longer a charity.
It wasn't until the 17th century that the quality of inns improved. The wealthy travelers were
travelling by stagecoach and expected good quality places to stay. British inns and taverns set the
standards for other inns. Food was served in a dining room. There were private rooms and rooms for
staff. Inns also became gathering places for nobles, clergy, business men, government and military
officials.
Because travel in North America was mainly by water, inns were located along the coast. Once
stagecoach routes were developed, hotels were placed along these routes. As people moved inland,
inns and taverns based on the British models developed along rivers and postal routes. These were
also gathering places for townspeople. The inns played an important role in the Revolutionary War.
Many plans were conceived in inns, and travelers would often help by providing news about the war
as they travelled through. These were also used for ammunition storage and meeting places for the
revolutionary underground.
The first hotel was built in 1788 in France for $17, 500. It
had 60 rooms and was of higher quality than the inns. The
early 19th century saw a change for the lodging industry in
North America. The hotel, more elaborate than the inn, was
the new trend. In 1794, the City Hotel opened in New York
City. In 1829, Boston opened the Tremont House, which
featured private and double rooms, French cuisine, room
service and trained workers. In 1831, a hotel in Aylmer,
Quebec, was opened and in Montreal, another hotel opened
in 1836.
The expansion of the railway in Canada had a great impact on the hotel industry. The inns that once
housed the travelers by stagecoach were replaced by the hotels along the railway. The Canadian
Pacific (CP) Railway owned many hotels. Sir William Van Horne was the driving force behind the
CP hotels, which were the best in North America. In 1929, The Royal York Hotel in Toronto was
the largest in the British Commonwealth. However, with the depression, many American hotels
went bankrupt. This was catastrophic not only for the lodging industry but for the whole tourism
industry. The lodging industry rose again after WWII. This was due to the soaring post-war
economy. More jobs were created which meant more money for families to begin to travel for
pleasure.
With the development of the automobile and jet, travel patterns began to change and the types of
accommodations evolved to suit their needs. From the early inns in Ancient Rome and Greece, to
the British style inns, from stagecoach hotels to the modern day elegant hotel, there have been many
changes in the lodging industry. In the early 1900's motels were developed followed by motor inns,
bed and breakfasts and special resort hotels catering to the various needs and wants of the
consumer. The lodging industry will continue to change in the future as the economy, world events
and technological advancements shape the world around us.
Questions
1. What are the three distinct categories of the hospitality and tourism industry?
2. In the Roman Era, what was developed that allowed inns and taverns to increase? What
three kinds of people used these inns and taverns?
3. In the Middle Ages, who opened their doors to travelers?
4. In the 17th Century who set the standards for other inns?
5. In North America, why were inns located along the coast?
6. Name two reasons why the inns played an important role in the Revolutionary War.
7. Where and when was the first hotel built? Where was the first in Canada?
8. What happened in Canada to impact the hotel industry?
9. In 1929, where was the largest hotel in the British Commonwealth?
10. Why did many hotels go bankrupt?
11. After hotels lost money and went bankrupt, what happened to help them start making money
again?