In the beginning, the tourism industry existed to serve a select few members of the population, those who traveled for commercial or diplomatic reasons (Lattin, 2008). People traveled because they had no other choice and very often it was not a pleasant or pleasant experience. Over time, however, technology has advanced and living standards have increased, giving way to new and diverse customer segments that the hospitality industry can accommodate. With the spread of various means of transport – ships, cars, trains, planes – the world has become smaller and more accessible. As countries industrialized and wealth decreased, travel became more accessible for ordinary people. As travel became more common, the hospitality industry was tasked with meeting the new range of needs. He initially responded by classifying travelers into three categories: transit, vacation and grand. These categories gave way to the segments we know today: budget/economy, mid-range, and high-end. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In the beginning, mercenaries, merchants, and pilgrims moved slowly across the country, occasionally stopping at a person's home and sharing beds with strangers (Lattin, 2008). Very few people traveled at that time, so it made no sense for there to be dedicated hospitality centers of any kind – there just wasn't a market for it. As roads began to connect villages and cities, people began to move further afield. Between the mid-18th and early 19th centuries, English inns provided cleaner and more comfortable accommodation than ever before. These inns formed the basis for one of the first three market segments of the hospitality industry: “transit” (Lattin, 2008). Transit hotels provided cheap overnight accommodation for people staying for short periods. Transit hotels eventually morphed into the budget lodging options we know today, like Motel 6 or the Knight's Inn. These budget hotels are often located near major highways because they function as a stop along the route rather than a destination. For this reason they provide the bare necessities – a bathroom, a bed and limited amenities – but usually for less than $80 a night. Both hikers and backpackers spend the night and leave in the morning. Holiday hotels date back to the Romans and their cultural obsession with baths, spas and mineral springs. These “healthy vacations” contributed to the development of resorts and the concept of multiple hospitality services hosted in one location for the benefit of a group of travelers. Thus it became the mid-scale hotel market segment, offering guests a higher level of service for a longer stay than inns of the past. Over time this mid-range travel segment has become more accessible, no longer limited to the French and Roman elite, but remains a more expensive option than today's budget hotels. Business travelers, conventioneers, and families can expect to shell out between $80 and $150 a night at places like Holiday Inn Express or Best Western. However, they can also expect more personalized service, nicer rooms, and maybe even a continental breakfast during the few nights they spend there. The Grand Tours of Europe before the French Revolution were limited to the educated elite and gave rise to some of the grandest hotels in the world. world (Lattin, 2008). The Grand Tours inspired large hotels, with luxury furniture and architecture, a service.