History of Tourism: Mesopotamia

A Brief History of Tourism

• Tourism has existed for a long time, particularly among elite social groups
• Heritage and cultural tourism’s growth is linked to the growth in tourism in general
• Tourism is not a modern invention and has been evolving since ancient times
• Tourism was possible as long as people had free time or needed to travel for business
• Travel and tourism patterns are better known around the Mediterranean Sea due to extensive, well-preserved written records
• The evolution of popular destinations mirrors changes in people’s tastes and trends
• Elaboration on tourism's development starts from ancient times and goes through the Grand Tour of the 17th and 18th centuries, and on to modern industry
• Factors that have contributed to the growth and development of Heritage and Cultural Tourism are considered

Ancient Mesopotamia

• Agricultural productivity allowed a social elite to have free time
• The earliest examples of tourism come from Mesopotamia during Sumerian times (4000 BCE)
• Assyria and Babylonia are also included
• Motivations for travel included religion, trade, and leisure
• People did not travel far, but they travelled for trade, hunts, and government/military activities
• Factors for making tourism possible included development of travel for trade, water transport, specialized vehicles, and the use of horses and camels
• Road construction and trail development aided travel and tourism

Ancient Egypt

• Earliest instances of tourism date back to 1500 BCE
• Factors that facilitated tourism included suitable social and political conditions
• Economic prosperity and political stability aided ancient tourism
• Smooth boat trips on the Nile River
• Attractions like the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza
• A monument from 1244 BCE details a recreational trip to Cairo
• Egyptians traveled for religious festivals that were accessible to everyone due to Nile transport
• Tourists had to camp and provide their own food because there were no modern amenities
• Egyptians engaged in extensive trade with regions including Lebanon and Punt

Ancient Greece

• Tourism originated in Ancient Greece
• The Greeks enjoyed travel, as evidenced by Homer’s Odyssey and Herodotus' travels
• Their construction of roads and use of water transport on the Mediterranean Sea made travel simpler
• Travelers were responsible for finding their own accommodations
• The concept of money, tourist guides, a lingua franca, visits to hot springs, and travel for sporting events (Olympics) are all attributed to the Greeks

Ancient Rome

• From 700 BCE to 460 CE
• Roman tourists' interests and the facilities available were very similar to modern ones
• The modern tourism industry has its origins in ancient Rome, with museums and travel guides
• Resorts, fancy restaurants, hotels, spas, souvenir stores, and concert halls were prevalent
• Economic/political stability and safer travel led to tourism's growth in the Roman Empire
• Public holidays, coastal resorts, health resorts, and tourist seasons were introduced

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

• Wealthy Romans created a "must-see" travel list known as 'The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World'
• The Pyramids of Egypt are the only wonder that still exists today
• The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, are included
• The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus ,the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Pharos lighthouse in Alexandria
• The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are in the picture

The 'Grand Tour'

• During the 17th and 18th centuries
• Wealthy classes with leisure time traveled around Europe for extended periods for educational purposes
• Primarily undertaken by young men
• Cultural heritage attractions were the main focus

Modern Tourism

• Expanded rapidly because of technological advancements during the Industrial Revolution
• The steam engine sparked a transport revolution
• All social classes could engage in tourism during their leisure time
• Spas and coastal resorts rose in popularity
• Hotels, transportation, restaurants, souvenirs, and travel agencies started during the 18th century

Modern Tourism Facts

• Tourism is one of the most important of all human activities
• World Tourism Organization (WTO) estimates that around 2 billion people will be tourists by 2030
• These accounts will be revised due to the impact of COVID-19
• Before 2020, tourism accounted for 10% of the global GDP
• Globally, 1/10 jobs are tourism-related
• Tourism generates US$ 1.4 trillion in exports, which is 7% of global exports, and 30% of service exports

The Tourism Industry Today

• The tourism industry has observed astronomical growth over the last ten years
• Websites like Airbnb and Booking.com have emerged
• There is now a changed approach on accommodations
• Social media and travel blogs/vlogs have been introduced
• Tourists seek the same experiences, guided by platforms like Instagram
• Virtual reality and artificial intelligence (AI) provide enhanced tourism experiences
• Google Lens now makes travel easier
• Some Japanese hotels are using robot dinosaurs as receptionists demonstrating AI applications
• Companies are training employees to handle client interactions through simulations and AI, such as Mursion

Trends in Tourism

• Growth in the tourism industry has been massive over the last ten years
• The next twenty years promise new innovations in travel
• As tourism evolves, heritage and cultural tourism are also developing
• Higher education levels and greater interest in heritage
• Due to media representations, particularly on TV and heritage themes, including battle sites, buildings, monuments, peoples' lifestyles and cultural events

Heritage and Cultural Tourism from 1970

• The development of outdoor museums showcasing traditional architecture, industrial heritage, and social history
• 'Living history' is the rise of interpreters in costume explaining sites and events
• Heritage centres emerge to tell the story of an area through interactive video
• Traditional museums become more imaginative and user-friendly in response to heritage centers
• Heritage and Cultural Tourism is a tool for economic growth regionally; historic docklands are tourist attractions
• Arts and heritage are linking to create new tourist attractions, such as operas at the Pyramids
• Scientific and technological heritage is being used to attract tourists; for example, transport museums
• Fascination with the natural environment and wildlife heritage is increasing
• Efforts are increasing to conserve whole towns and city centres and turn them into heritage destinations
• Car and walking trials are now being used to link together heritage attractions making them more convenient
• There is growing interest in the history of the ‘Common Man’ as well as famous people and royalty

Global Heritage Tourism

• Uneven growth globally
• Most is in developed countries in North America, Europe, and Australasia (including Japan), where most developed heritage products are
• All national tourism organizations use heritage to attract tourists
• Heritage is distinctive and unique, helping countries stand out in the world market