The Development of Tourism in America
Tourism is a significant industry in the United States that serves millions of tourists annually. International and domestic tourists flock to see the country’s natural wonders, historical sites, cities, and entertainment venues. Fifty six million tourists visited the United States in 2007, which brought in revenues of $122.7 billion. In addition, America is also the second most visited country in the world after France. New York City alone attracts about 35 million tourists annually.
Urban tourism grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution. By the 1850s, tourism was well-established in the country both as a recreational activity and as an industry. Major metropolitan areas such as New York City, San Francisco, and Chicago had begun attracting large numbers of tourists by the end of the 19th century. Technological advancements in transportation such as aircraft, ships, and automobiles lead to the rapid democratization of travel.
Although travel agents and package tours did not exist in the modern sense until the 1870s, pioneering entrepreneurs such as hotel managers and agents for railroad lines quickly recognized the potential of the tourism industry. The tourism industry had developed to such an extent that by 1915, careers in tour agency, guidebook publishing, and travel writing flourished.
Although thousands of tourists visited Florida in the early 1900s, it wasn’t until the end of the Second World War when the tourism industry quickly became Florida’s largest source of income. Florida’s white sandy beaches, wide range of sporting activities, and temperate climate soon attracted a large number of tourists. More entertainment amenities were developed, and by 1971, Orlando travel agents took pride in the fact that the state had the famous Walt Disney World Resort.
Rapid innovations in air travel between 1945 and 1969 contributed greatly to tourism. Advances in commercial aviation meant that airliners could now accommodate 150 passengers and travel at 600mph. Post-war prosperity and America’s dominance of global culture also fueled perennial tourist interest in the country. By 1961, an Orlando travel agency could advertise affordable vacations in places like sunny Hawaii and snowy Aspen in Colorado.
Times Square in New York City is currently the largest tourist attraction in American soil, followed by the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas. Other notable tourist attractions regularly advertised by Orlando meeting planners include Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida; Disneyland in Anaheim, California; the Grand Canyon in Arizona; and Niagara Falls in New York State.
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