Travel begins to occur out of a sense of adventure and curiosity.
Egyptians travel to centralized government locations.
Shang Dynasty establishes trade routes to distant locations throughout the Far East.
Phoenicians develop large sailing fleets for trade and travel throughout their empire.
Greeks develop common lanugage and currency, and traveler services emerge as city-states become destinations.
Romans improve roads, the legal system, inns to further travel for commerce, adventure, and pleasure.
Mayans establish trade and travel routes in parts of Central and North America.
European travel on failed religious crusades to retake the Holy Lands from Muslim control introduce these military forces to new places and cultures.
Marco Polo's travels throughout the Far East begin to heighten interest in travel and trade.
Trade routes develop commercial activities grow and merchants venture into new territories.
Grand Tour Era makes travel a status symbol for wealthy individuals seeking to experience cultures of the civilized world.
Industrial Revolution gives rise to technological advances, making travel and trade more efficient and expanding markets; increasing personal incomes make travel both a business necessity and a leisure activity.
Thomas Cook organizes first group tour in England.
Wright Brothers usher in era of flight with the first successful aircraft flight.
Westinghouse Corporation institutes paid vacations for its workers.
Henry Ford begins mass production of the Model T.
First scheduled airline passenger flight debuts between London and Paris.
World War II ends and ushers in new era of prosperity, giving rise to millions of people with the time, money, and interest to travel for pleasure and business.
Diners Club introduces the first credit card.
Jet passenger service is inaugurated between London and Johannesburg, South Africa.
Competition on routes and fares begins with signing of Airline Deregulation Act.
Dennis Tito Launches the advent of space tourism as he pays $20 million for and eight-day vacation aboard the International Space Station.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is created to ensure airline passenger safety in the wake of the
September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
The euro currency is introduced, signaling liberalization of travel among member nations of the European Union.
