Hospitality History - Essay Example

As many organizations continue to struggle in the market segment, the hospitality industry continues to record impressive profits (Gray, 2009). Statistics in the US reveal that between 2009 and 2014, the industry has been postulated to create 17% more jobs to people. The industry has been providing young people with well paying jobs and of these, 21% are aged between 16 and 20 years. This implies that the industry has a great future because a bulk of its workers is young people, who are growing in experience every year.

The success that this industry is currently enjoying has not originated out of the blues. The foundation was set hundreds to thousands of years ago, and there has been gradual evolution over time. However, with evolution of the hospitality industry, profit generation has been injected into the process whereby, visitors are given noteworthy treatment in exchange for money. The money in turn is used to expand the industry. Therefore, the difference between hospitality from medieval times and the current era is that, the former was not a profit generating course while the latter is a large industry that generates a lot of profit and employs very many workers (Clayton, 20070.

The hospitality industry’s origins span back to the colonial era in the late 17th century. Later, it began to take shape, evolving into the dynamic industry that we know in the current world. In its development, it has encountered world wars, natural calamities and social changes, but none of these suppressed the industry. Even in the biblical setting, we are introduced to hospitality whereby visitors were well received by people from other areas. For example, Abraham had his tent, and upon looking at it closely, he felt that if visitors saw that he had one entrance, they would not feel welcome.

He, therefore, decided to create four entrances to his tent, visitors would be encouraged to come. After he did this, visitors multiplied in numbers, and many of them would pass by his tent as they were travelling. Abraham would welcome and feed them well and after a few days, they would continue with their journey. Later, Japanese dynasties, Native American Indians and European Monarchs set up quarters in their residences for visitors where meals and recreational facilities were offered (Lashley, 2008).

Early hospitality was noted in Greek and roman cultures as early as 40 BC. During this era, people began travelling which necessitated the establishment of hospitality cultures. Later in the medieval period, English travelers emerged. During this period, people started using other transportation means apart from foot transport. Stagecoach became the favored form of transportation and inns were established for travelled. As time went by, the hospitality industry grew and became a bit profitable.

Furthermore, employment opportunities were enhanced in the industry. In the renaissance period (16th century), there was a high demand for taverns and inns since travelers were increasing in numbers. The first hotel in this period was the Hotel de Henry IV that was built in 1788. With a bed capacity of 60 beds, it provided noteworthy services to travelers. This was the beginning of hotel establishment in the hospitality industry. Coffee houses were a popular destination for business travelers (Cummings, 2009).

The 18th century marked the beginning of the New World.