9
6 minutes read
Explore the evolution of hospitality
From the earliest roadside inns to today’s cutting-edge robotic accommodations, the Travel Through Time landing page takes you on a fascinating journey through the story of hotels, one era at a time. Don’t forget to click while you’re browsing the landing. There are many facts about ETG hidden in hotel rooms — find them all!
To check in, just click the button! Below you’ll find a sneak peek of the project and more facts about traveling and ETG.
1st floor: Antiquity
Travel was once a risky endeavor — reserved for trade, political missions, or epic quests. Yet, even in ancient times, the spirit of exploration burned bright. Visitors could find shelter in converted homes or state-run inns that catered to weary travelers.
Many facts are hidden in hotel rooms — find them all!
Discover:
- The pioneering spirit of Greek traveler Pausanias, whose writings served as early travel guides.
- How travelers navigated the roads of old, finding rest and refreshment along the way.
Did you know that:
In Ancient Greece, hospitality was not just a custom — it was considered a sacred duty, guided by the divine will of Zeus Xenios, the “God of Strangers,” and Athena Xenia, both protectors of travelers and guests. Welcoming foreigners was considered a moral obligation, and failing to provide proper care was considered a sin.
Proper care for travelers is still as vital as it was in Antiquity; that’s why we always note that all accommodation owners who work with us via ETG’s Extranet have to prioritize guest satisfaction — monitor their rating, ask for feedback, respond to it, and keep improving. We also offer multiple opportunities to highlight accommodations that genuinely care about their guests.
2nd floor: Middle Ages
With the onset of the Middle Ages, pilgrimage injected a new purpose into travel. Sacred accommodations provided refuge to those journeying for faith, reinforcing the role of hospitality in cultural and religious exchanges.
Highlights:
- Monasteries and temples offered vital support to spiritual travelers, marking the integration of hospitality into religious pilgrimages.
- Iconic pilgrimage symbols, like the shell of Saint James, became tokens of meaningful journeys.
Did you know that:
As trade routes expanded and pilgrimages became more common, inns and taverns grew in prominence. These establishments not only offered accommodation and meals to travelers but also served as social hubs where merchants and pilgrims could exchange news and interact with one another.
At ETG, we understand that communication and community are crucial to building the future of travel with our partners and clients. That is why we host webinars to connect online, organize offline events to meet in person, and stay in touch via our brands’ social media channels.
3rd floor: 18th–19th centuries
As road networks flourished, the world opened up for exploration. Hotels evolved to offer comfort and elegance to travelers eager to experience new vistas.
Highlights:
- The rise of the Grand Tour era, where young nobility traversed Europe in pursuit of education and culture.
- Venice as a top destination for discovering art, culture, and history.
Did you know that:
- The first modern hotel, in the sense we know it today, opened in New York City in 1794. It was the first building designed and constructed specifically to serve as a hotel, offering 137 rooms. Just imagine: ETG has an extensive inventory of 2.9 million accommodation options worldwide — what a choice!
- By the late 19th century, hotels embraced new technologies, such as electricity and elevators, to improve service quality and guest comfort. These innovations helped shape the modern hotel industry. Today, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a game-changer for the travel industry. The Business Research Company found that the use of AI in hospitality and tourism is growing fast. By 2029, the market is expected to reach $58.56 billion. That’s a big jump, with an annual growth rate of 30.1%. Want to know more about ETG and AI — this article was written just for that.
4th floor: 20th century
The 20th century ushered in a golden era for hospitality, making travel more accessible and enjoyable. Large hotels and chains emerged, heralding a new age of convenience and comfort.
Features:
- Technological advancements in hotels, from electric lighting to room service — elevated the guest experience.
- The birth of car rentals provided a seamless travel upgrade and newfound independence to explorers.
Did you know that:
- Post-World War II economic growth enabled more people to travel for leisure, leading to the expansion of resort hotels. Airlines became standard travel options, taking people to exotic destinations and further fueling the hospitality sector. There is no way we can reach specific destinations without planes today, so ETG is constantly developing the air supply. As for now, we have 450 airlines connected, and users of the RateHawk and Roundtrip platforms can easily and smoothly book air tickets. But that’s not all, we also offer railway and car travel — which can sometimes be more spectacular and convenient. Want to be our travel supplier? Just fill the form here.
- Hotels like InterContinental and Hilton expanded globally during the mid-20th century, offering luxury accommodations abroad and shaping the international hospitality market. Hilton Hotels became the first hotel chain to feature a television in every room by 1951. This service became a staple of mid-century luxury and set growing expectations for guest conveniences. We can proudly say that ETG has 220,000+ directly connected accommodations, giving our partners and clients access to even more competitive rates and real-time availability across thousands of prestigious properties.
5th floor: Modern days
In our current era, technology is revolutionizing travel convenience and guest experiences. Hotels now cater to diverse preferences, offering varying styles of accommodations from glamping to robotic hospitality.
Discover with ETG:
- Our brands, RateHawk, Roundtrip, and ZenHotels, present millions of accommodation choices worldwide, customized to meet every traveler’s needs.
- Leverage cutting-edge mobile technology and AI innovations to make booking swift, easy, and reliable.
Did you know that:
- Between 2022 and 2032, travel and tourism are expected to grow at 5.8% annually, outpacing global economic growth (2.7%).
- According to IATA’s Global Passenger Survey, 71% of travelers now prefer booking their trips online or through mobile apps. This shows a clear shift toward technology-driven travel experiences. ETG invests heavily in its tech stack, and we continue to unlock new opportunities to make our web and mobile products fast and reliable. All our brands have mobile apps, and ETG’s Extranet — designed for hoteliers and property owners — has an app, too.
- A recent American Express report shows that 60% of global respondents plan to book a trip around entertainment events or take at least one trip for a sporting event in 2025, reinforcing that traveling for experiences continues to be a driving force. More than half of Millennials and Gen Z surveyed intentionally travel to a destination to find high-quality items that are handmade or authentic to the destination they are visiting. Information still plays a pivotal role in the travel business, so we keep our clients and partners updated with the latest trends and forecasts. All ETG’s brands (RateHawk, Roundtrip, ZenHotels) have blogs where our partners and clients can find the information they need — whether they are travel agents looking for inspiration and product updates, travel managers tracking business-travel news, or individual travelers exploring destinations to choose this summer or where to have the best dinner in Greece.
Emerging Travel Group is proud to celebrate our 15th anniversary with “Travel Through Time,” a project that reflects our accomplishments and honors the captivating history of hospitality. As we continue championing travel innovation, we invite you to join us in exploring global travel’s past, present, and exciting future.
