Chapter 1: Hosts, Guests, And You: An Introduction To and History Of Hospitality & Tourism
Overview
Hospitality and tourism are global industries that play a vital role in shaping our world. In fact, the hospitality and tourism industries touch nearly every aspect of our lives. Tourism is the world’s largest employer and the fifth largest business sector by revenue. When combined, the fields of hospitality and tourism comprise the planet’s largest business sector by a wide margin, with more than 10% of every dollar spent globally going to the hospitality and tourism industries (World Travel & Tourism Council, 2023).
Humans rely heavily on the industries that hospitality and tourism encapsulate, from the hotels and resorts that provide travelers with a comfortable place to stay to the restaurants and attractions that offer unique experiences. Aside from the dramatic downturn during COVID, these industries have experienced near exponential growth (Statista Research Department, 2024). With the growth of these industries comes an increasing need to ensure that they are sustainable and responsibly developed. Special attention must be paid to environmental protections, social impacts, and cultural heritage safeguards. Effective tourism is more than profit for shareholders. Industry professional, host communities, and their guests, who are often travelers, need to be included in holistic and strategic approaches to hospitality and tourism development.
This chapter begins with the history of our industry and subsequently introduces the fundamentals of hospitality and tourism. It also examines the roles of hosts, guests, and other stakeholders in the industry and explores trends and challenges facing the sector. You will be provided with a comprehensive introduction to the hospitality and tourism industry, while highlighting the importance of career decision-making, sustainability, and strategic management practices.
Objectives
- Learner will explain key components of the global hospitality and tourism industries.
- Learner will analyze the global sustainability of hospitality and tourism.
- Learner will evaluate the transferable skills needed for career pathways within the hospitality and tourism industries.
- Learner will explain the importance of data to informed decision-making and strategic planning in the hospitality and tourism industries.
Key Terms
- Hospitality
- Tourism
- Host
- Guest
- Hospitality Industry
- Transferable Skills
- Sustainability
- Tourism Industry
- Shibboleth
- Host and Guest Experience
Attributions
- Chapter opening image: St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague by Pierre Blaché is released under CC0 1.0
Revenue refers to the total income generated by a business from its normal business activities, typically from the sale of goods and services.
Hotels are establishments that provide accommodation, meals, and other services for travelers and guests in exchange for payment. Hotels vary in size, quality, and amenities, ranging from budget hotels to luxury resorts.
Resorts are vacation destinations typically located in scenic or recreational areas, offering various amenities and recreational activities to guests. Resorts often feature lodging, restaurants, bars, spas, recreational facilities (such as pools, golf courses, or ski slopes), and other attractions designed to provide guests with a comprehensive leisure experience.
Shareholders are individuals or entities that own shares or stocks in a company. In the hospitality and tourism industry, shareholders may include investors who have provided capital to develop or expand hotels, resorts, or other tourism-related businesses.
The local residents and stakeholders living in or near tourist destinations who interact with and accommodate visitors. They play a vital role in providing hospitality, services, and cultural experiences to tourists while managing the social, economic, and environmental impacts of tourism on their communities.
Stakeholders are individuals, groups, or entities that have an interest or stake in a particular organization or project. In the hospitality and tourism industry, stakeholders may include investors, employees, local communities, government agencies, suppliers, and customers, among others.
Sustainability refers to the practice of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In the context of hospitality and tourism, sustainability involves minimizing negative impacts on the environment, preserving cultural heritage, supporting local economies, and ensuring the long-term viability of tourism destinations and businesses.
