This document provides a historical overview of the development of tourism from ancient times to the present day. It traces the key social, cultural, economic and technological changes that have facilitated and motivated travel over the centuries. Some of the major developments highlighted include the establishment of infrastructure like roads and hospitality in ancient Rome and Greece; the growth of leisure travel in the 18th century associated with spas and seaside resorts; the rise of mass tourism in the 19th-20th centuries linked to industrialization, urbanization, and new modes of transport like railways and steamships; and more recent factors such as globalization, low-cost air travel, and advances in technology.

1. Tourism History Diploma in Applied Travel and Tourism