Introduction of Evaluation of Tourism

Evaluation of Tourism
    The gradual change and development of an idea, situation or objective is referred to as evolution. Hence, evaluation of tourism refer to the gradual development of the tourism activities from the past to present and perhaps. It will continue in the future too.
Since in the beginning of human civilization in this world. Travelling has been an ongoing event. The early man travelled for hunting and food gathering. Later, as society evolved. Travelling became prominent but became limited to trade, pilgrimage, studies, migration, royal affairs and exploration, rather than for pleasure and entertainment. So, one can sum up that travelling is a human nature but tourism is a process and activities of new phenomenon.
The evolution of tourist can be divided into three phase.

The first phase 
      The first phase of tourism is referred to as the tourism before railways, which represents the period before 1840 A.D. Before the individual Revolution travel was primarily undertaken for the purpose undertaken for the purpose of trade and pilgrimage.
In the Medieval period (12-17th century), the European had different notions of travelling. According to their belief, if someone did not visit any new places in one's own life time, she/he was highly neglected in the society. So every individual were supposed to visit at least Italy, as Rome was recognized as the places of original and religious shrine too. This period, the reason of travelling drastically changed as most people started to travel abroad for the purpose of receiving higher education during this period. The Aristocrats of the Europe used to send their children abroad for attaining higher education. This kind of tourism is called "Proto Tourism ".
In the 18th century, the motive for travelling changed further. During this period sick people started to undertake travel to 'spa' for cure of some persistent disease. It is believed that modern tourism begun from 'spa' In those days, Nice in France, Baden in Germany and Carlsberg in Czechoslovakia were very popular for spa Europe.
Gradually, the way of taking mineral water and spa was changed to coastal areas where people believed that after taking bath in the sea, they would get recovered. Thus, the sea bathing concept was emerged. Since people started visiting coastal areas, there was a dire need to build accommodation and cater food, drink, and transportation to this mass. Hence, hotels and resorts started to emerge in such destinations.

The Second Phase
        The second phase of tourism marks the onset of industrial revaluation. The introduction and development of railways after 1830 A.D. revolutionized the entire scenario of travelling. The first ever rail link between Liverpool and Manchester in the same year can be regarded as the landmark in the history of mechanized transport.
In the later years, the concept of tourism gradually evolved. In 1841 AD, Thomas cook, a Baptist by profession, initiated the  concept of travel agency. He not only operated the travel agency, but also led the group outside the London. He is regarded as the pioneer travel organizer, Who led the group from Leicester to Loughborough  for the first time. He is also regarded as the father of the modern tourism. Few years later, some Europeans also instigated similar activities from cook. In 1983, an agency of Mr. Henry Lunn also conceptualized modern winter sports in skilling in Switzerland. He development of steam engine in trains and ships in the 18th century. As a result, the mobility of businessman and labors further enhanced people involved in trans-Atlantic trade and deep sea shipping became very popular. Though transport facilities encouraged people to visit different places, they lacked the confidence of receiving personal safety and security in destination chosen for visiting. Realizing the problem of the visitors, travel cherub and American express card was  introduced in America between 1872 to 1891 AD. This made the visitors more facilitated and secured.
In the 18th century AD, industrial revolution brought tremendous change in contemporary Europe. There was frequent migration of the rural people to urban, and industrial areas. People who were following agricultural as their main occupation started to earn their living by working in the factories. Since the migrants worked in the factories, they got holiday once a week, paid leave of one month annually and their purchasing power also got reinforced. Hence, the working class also started opting for travelling during holidays and leaves for pleasure. In order to cater to the needs of this mass large number of hotels and resorts came into existence. All in all, the concept of tourism started to pick-up gradual momentum in this phase.

The Third Phase 
        By the onset of 20th century. the essential components of tourism almost reached an optimal point. The general mass also realized and perceived the educative dimension of tourism and its positive impact on the economy.
To quote Mark Twin 'even heaven can be boring after a while' stood true this juncture. A large number of people started to visit new destination, away from their usual of residence, during leisure for pleasure. The journey to these destination  were under taken solely to escape their routine life. This strengthened the tourism industry and further consolidated then the existing transportation industry well.
After the world war-2, when United Nations came into existence in 1945 AD, the hostility between the countries almost became non-existent. The international barriers broke down and serene environment started to prevail. This made the group for tourism industry more fertile and further fuelled the prospect of tourism and its related industries. It is during this period the world economy experienced a landmark growth in tourism industry.
After 2nd great world war, people became quite  busy and they didn’t have time to visit abroad for long duration. However, they seemed determined to spend their  holidays outside their country/usual place of residence. This meant they needed comfortable, swift and safe means of transport. Hence, the use of the jet planes to reduce the time of journey became prominent. People started to travel in package tours gradually. Their mode of travelling became a parts of life style and tourism became pure industry. Thus, the 20th century can be marked as " The Century of mass tourism".
           
Finally tourism has been recognized as one of the largest industry in the world. By 1960's people not    only gave emphasis on tourism but also became conscious on environmental issues. There were uncountable visitors in coastal areas, which made the areas more polluted. Even cities became highly polluted in order to continue tourism as an industry.
Today, lot of organization, institutions, entrepreneurs, NGO's, INGO's and public sector have focused  more on the preservation and conservation of the environment. Hence, the tourism of the 21th century is marked as " the century of eco –friendly tourism ".