Transportation and Travel Evolution

Transportation Sector Development

• Rapid development and technological innovations in transportation enable tourists to reach many destinations.
• Transportation is integral to tourism and the hospitality industry.

Transportation and Travel Evolution

• Transportation and travel have evolved through different eras.

Pre-Industrial Travel System Era

• This occurred before widespread industrialization in Europe and North America.
• Few common carriers existed, and regularly scheduled transportation services were scarce.
• Travelers arranged transport with multiple suppliers; travel was limited to the wealthy.

Early-Industrial Travel System Era

• Road improvements included railways, canals and steamships due to innovation.
• Travel increased due to rising incomes which led to common carriers and scheduled services.

Mature-Railway System Era

• Thomas Cook began his company in the UK in 1840
• More people traveled.
• Railways marketed aggressively, leading to travel agencies and tour companies
• The era was defined by railways running hotels and other travel services.

Express-Travel System Era

• Trains only stopped at major stations/terminals.
• Travel speed increased which encouraged more travel.

Automobile-Based Travel System Era

• Privately owned cars became more influential in North America/Europe (1920s onward).
• Motorways and interstate highways were developed from 1920-1974 which increased car use.
• Automobiles were the main travel mode from 1920-1945.

Modern-Tourism Travel System Era

• This occurred from 1945-1974.
• Car ownership increased while long-distance rail travel declined.
• Mass air travel emerged post-WWII.
• Wide-bodied jets in 1970 increased air travel.
• Mass tourism philosophy and marketing grew from 1950s-1960s.

Post-Mobility Adjustment Era

• The era began in 1973-1974 because of the OPEC oil embargo which caused rising fuel prices.
• Energy crisis changed travel patterns.
• Travelers sought alternative group-oriented transport modes.

Selection of Transportation Mode

• Transportation enriches travel
• Transportation methods can become tourist attractions, such as cruises

Air Transportation

• Air travel is a prime mode in tourism and affected people's concepts re: time and distance.
• Airlines spend billions to innovate in air transport.
• The air travel industry grew quickly and became important for long-distance travel.
• Air transport examples: airplanes, helicopters, hot air balloons, gliders.

Automobile Transportation

• Automobile transport, like cars/buses, are good for short distances.
• Auto travel allows tourists to experience local cultures.
• Tourist use is high due to low prices.

Railway Transportation

• It is the oldest transport type which was frequently used in the 19th Century
• Railways transport loads in some countries because tourists prefer driving/flying.
• Some rail lines are part of tourist packages.
• Technology led to faster trains which now compete with air and car travel.
• Rail transport examples: high-speed, regional, rapid transit, freight.

Sea Transportation

• Includes cruises, boat travel, yachting, and ferry travel
• Cruise ships are like sailing hotels that offer travel opportunities.
• Passengers see multiple countries on cruises.
• Other types include maritime cargo vessels.

Recreation and Leisure

• Recreation involves activities that relax/divert from regular activity, such as visiting parks/museums/theaters.
• It is leisure during spare time.
• Leisure is productive/creative/contemplative use of free time.

Varied Views of Recreation and Leisure

• Some view recreation as public services offering parks, pools, and community centers.
• Others see it as services for the disabled or senior citizens.
• Environmentalists focus on outdoor recreation's impact on natural areas.

Recreational Participation

• It includes many leisure activities such as travel, arts, hobbies, and social groups.
• It may be social or solitary, strenuous or mental.
• It can be life long or for a single event.

Attractions

• Attractions are categorized in several ways.

Natural Attractions

• These drive travel
• Examples: national/botanical parks, forests and zoos.

Purpose Built Attractions

• These are made for tourism.
• Examples: theme/amusement parks, zoos, and art galleries.

Heritage Attractions

• Appeal to visitors wanting to explore civilizations.
• Examples: Great Wall of China and Philippine Rice Terraces.

Recreational Attractions

• Offer access to indoor/outdoor facilities for sports/recreation like bowling, camping, and golfing.

Commercial Attractions

• Retail for tourists, like gifts and arts.
• Examples: shopping centers and boutiques.

Industrial Attractions

• Factory tours are becoming popular.
• Manufacturers are building facilities for tourists.
• Wineries and breweries are provided for examples.

Challenges Faced by the Recreation and Leisure Service Field in the 21st Century

• Recreational professionals must address various challenges.
• These challenges include: serving diverse populations, emphasizing social purposes, achieving public understanding, upgrading programs, adopting a benefits-based approach, promoting recreation as health-related, developing environmental partnerships, expanding family programs, promoting ethical practices in youth sports, mainstreaming persons with disabilities, planning for a changing economy, raising professional standards, and unifying recreation/leisure service fields.

Gaming Entertainment Definitions

• The gaming industry is comprised of: casinos, card games, charitable games, lottery games, and races.
• Gaming entertainment is a casino-based subset that include operations, shopping and recreation, as well as betting.
• Casinos offer risk-taking and are part of entertainment/leisure activities.

Games and Facilities Found Inside the Casino

• Gaming includes many wagering activities
• Gaming facilities are for customers inside the casinos

Table Games

• Games involve gambling between casino vs. customers at tables.
• Examples: dice, roulette, pai-gow and more.

Card Games

• Games involve players gambling against each other.
• The casino provides/deals the games
• Examples: blackjack, baccarat, poker.

Slot Machine/Video Games

• Slot machines spin via handle/button and are based on computerized random number generator.
• Examples: video poker, keno, bingo, lottery.

Race and Sports Books

• Horse track betting.
• Sportsbooks offer wagering on sports events.

Casino Cage

• Handles financial transactions and accounting for casino funds.

Surveillance

• 24/7 monitoring of gaming via high-tech cameras/video.

Ancillary Departments

• Support services such as restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.

Reasons for Visiting Casinos

• People enjoy chance/skill-based gambling
• Leisure, and mental escape.
• Seniors enjoy social interaction
• Low rates attract gamblers.
• "Must-see" megaresorts draw visitors.
• Locations draw visitors to health spas/salons theme parks.