Page 10 - Tourism The International Business

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Exhibit 2: (Courtesy Egyptian Office of Tourism.)

Travel also satisfied people's curiosity. The earlier Pharaohs used the good building stone of the Nile to construct
great tombs and temples as early as 2700 BCE Over a thousand years later the Egyptians found themselves
surrounded by this historical treasure chest. Writers noted that visitors left messages to show they had been there
(graffiti?) and took home remembrances of the trip (souvenirs?).
Assyrians and Persians. Assyria comprised the area now known as Iraq. As the empire expanded from the
Mediterranean in the west to the Persian Gulf in the east, the means of travel were improved, largely for military
use. Roads were improved, markers were established to indicate distances, and posts and wells were developed for

safety and nourishment. Even today we see the influence of military construction aiding pleasure travel. The
recently completed United States interstate highway system was developed initially to facilitate transportation in
the event of a national emergency.
The Assyrian military traveled by chariot, others by horse, while the donkey was the principal mode of
transportation of the common people.
The Persians, who defeated the Assyrians, continued improvements in the travel infrastructure. New kinds of
wagons were developed including a four-wheeled carriage for the wealthy.

Greeks. While previous civilizations had set the stage for the development of travel, it took the Greeks and,
later, the Romans to bring it all together.
The Greeks continued in the tradition of the great traders. Because water was the most important means of
moving commercial goods, Greek cities grew up along the coast, thus ensuring that travel was primarily by sea.
Travel for official business was less important as Greece was divided into city-states that were fiercely
independent. Pleasure travel did exist in three areas: for religious festivals, for sporting events (most notably the
Olympic Games), and to visit cities, especially Athens.
Travel was advanced by two important developments. First, through currency exchange. Previously travelers
would pay their way by carrying various goods and selling them at their destination. The money of Greek city-states

was now accepted as international currency, eliminating the need to travel with a retinue of goods. Second, the
Greek language spread throughout the Mediterranean area, making it easier to communicate as one traveled.
Romans. Travel flourished in Roman times for several reasons. The control of the sprawling Roman Empire
stimulated trade and led to the growth of a large middle class with the money to travel; Roman coins were all the
traveler had to carry to finance the trip; the means of transportation, roads and waterways, were excellent;

Tourism the International Business 10 A Global Text