From then to now….We have no excuse but to choose well

The Sixties saw the ‘Let your fingers do the walking through the yellow pages’ of the telephone book to find your accommodation. Booking accommodation was a very simple procedure, page through adverts at back of the directory, phone, confirm and pay by sending cash or money orders via registered mail.

Let the Fingers do the Walking

Accommodation was WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) on arrival. You accepted your lot and got on with the activities on offer or went off to do your business calls.

Got on with it

From the Seventies until the Eighties saw little change except for newspapers and magazines entering the travel world with editorials, more attractive photos. Travel agent’s set up shop in malls using similar advertising as the traditional media. This was a time consuming exercise with a back and forth of decision making.

Better Pictures and Editorial

Accommodation was booked directly with the establishment and the traveller still accepted what was on offer and got on with the reason they were there, business or pleasure.

The Nineties heralded the internet and the first online Travel Agents appeared in the early/mid 2000’s with striking pictures of establishments, ensuring the venues were more appealing. Thanks to the breakthrough in technology, you got a far better idea of what was on offer and comparisons could be made.

Breakthrough in Technology

At this point the biggest change was that bookings were no longer made direct with the establishment. Accommodation was still very much you got what you booked. However, online reviews of the establishment you had selected were often available to see what other travellers had experienced.

Bookings were no longer made direct

And then…..along comes Universal Accessibility with a startling statement!

Universal Accessibility

TOURISM IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE ENJOYED BY EVERYONE…… including the elderly, youth, and families with small children, including babies in prams, pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, people with sight, movement and hearing challenges as well as travellers with language and culture diversity.

TOURISM IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE ENJOYED BY EVERYONE

In our day and age, amenities with corresponding photos can now be examined with a fine-tooth-comb to guarantee the basic requirements for travellers to make informed decisions.