Always man has been moving from place to place in search of food, shelter and safety. Paleolithic evidence suggests that given a right environment, man
... [Show More] prefers to live in one place.
The Aryans their homes in central Asia due to climatic changes and non availability of sufficient food. Perhaps, it was the invention of wheel, about 5000 years ago, which made travel easy. The Phoenicians were probably the first real travelers in the modern sense, as they went from place to place as travelers and traders. Almost at the same time, trade and travel developed in India where the wheels and money were introduced during Mohenjo-Daro civilization, about 4000 years ago. The practice of travel were the oldest tradition in the world, the motives being religion and trade. The great sages of ancient times, went to Himalayas to meditate and set up their Ashram which were centers of learning.
Five thousands years ago Cruises were organized and conducted from Egypt. Probably the first journey ever made for the purpose of peace and tourism was made by Queen Hatshepsut to the land of Punt which is on the East coast of Africa. In 1480 B.C. description of their tour has been recorded on the walls of the temple of Deir- el-Bahri at Luxor. These text and bas-reliefs are among the worlds rarest art works . These works are universally admired for their wondrous beauty and artistic qualities. The Colossi of Memnonat Thebes have on their pedestals the names of Greek tourists of the fifth century B.C.
Traveling was a common feature in ancient India. Indian tourism has a significant fast. Even before Aryans appeared in India, about 5000 years back, Indus Valley civilization thrived in India. Archaeological evidences have been a testimony for the material prosperity of Indus people, which established its trade link with Iran, Eastern Africa and Mesopotamia.
Several tourism history scholars decry the Euro centricity of writings about the history of tourism. Most notable of these is Trevor Sofied of the University of Tasmania who states “the Emperors of China had ministers for travel 4000 years ago, well before imperial Rome and Herodotus. So, this is a plea to move beyond Chaur’s pilgrimage to Canterbury and Marco Polo’s venture from Venice. It goes further back in time to explore other civilizations and their histories of travel besides, Europe and North America. The histories of pilgrimage travel to countries such as India, China, Iran, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and other places pre-dates much before European travel history. Inns and hospitality industry in these countries pre-date Europeans example. [Show Less]