The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism Historical Perspectives

The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism Historical Perspectives O’Gorman, The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism, Goodfellow Publishing © 2010

THE PHENOMENON OF HOSPITALITY O’Gorman, The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism, Goodfellow Publishing © 2010

Learning from the past ‘Only once an understanding of hospitality’s origins and its place in human nature is achieved can one expect to discover what hospitality means today, and more importantly what it will mean to those entering the industry in the future’ (O’Connor 2005, p. 267) O’Gorman, The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism, Goodfellow Publishing © 2010

Previous approaches Declarative Judgemental w Random conjecture on what may have happened w Spurious notions of what hospitality is or should be Both approaches characterised by: ØRhetoric ØLittle actual research ØCredence from sounding plausible ØBeing repeated throughout the literature O’Gorman, The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism, Goodfellow Publishing © 2010

HOSPITALITY IS AS OLD AS RECORDED HUMAN HISTORY O’Gorman, The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism, Goodfellow Publishing © 2010

Ancient Near East Texts O’Gorman, The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism, Goodfellow Publishing © 2010

w. Characteristics of travel for curiosity or pleasure found from about 1500 B. C w. Early evidence of typical tourist behaviour • Graffiti • Gifts • Annoying relatives w. Limited Facilities for travellers w. Dangerous to travel O’Gorman, The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism, Goodfellow Publishing © 2010

Laws of Hammurabi O’Gorman, The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism, Goodfellow Publishing © 2010

Hostels and inns in Mesopotamia date back to at least 2000 B. C. Oldest industry in the world? The Law of Hammurabi and Commercial Hospitality • Diluting drinks • Safety of Guests • Priestess and Taverns O’Gorman, The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism, Goodfellow Publishing © 2010

FOCUSING ON CLASSICAL ANTIQUITY O’Gorman, The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism, Goodfellow Publishing © 2010

Key Events in Classical Antiquity O’Gorman, The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism, Goodfellow Publishing © 2010

Exploring the history of hospitality The ancient classics resemble the universe. They are always there, and they are very much the same as ever. But as the philosophy of every new age puts a fresh construction on the universe, so in the classics scholarship finds a perennial object for ever fresh and original interpretation. (Cornford, 1903, p. 19) O’Gorman, The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism, Goodfellow Publishing © 2010

THE HOSPITALITY LEXICON O’Gorman, The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism, Goodfellow Publishing © 2010

Hospitality Lexicon w Investigation has to depend on original written sources and then their translation into English. w Analysing texts requires understanding the evolution of the language and should provide both a template and also the linguistic background against which the investigation is conducted. w Important to understand how words are now used and translated into contemporary English. O’Gorman, The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism, Goodfellow Publishing © 2010

The Evolution of English O’Gorman, The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism, Goodfellow Publishing © 2010

Guest and Host O’Gorman, The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism, Goodfellow Publishing © 2010

LINKS BETWEEN ORAL TRADITION AND TEXTS I would condemn any host who, receiving guests, acted excessively hospitable or excessively hostile; all things are better in due measure. It is as blameworthy to urge a guest to leave who does not want to as it is to detain a guest who is eager to leave. One must grant hospitality to a guest who is present and grant conveyance to a guest who wants to leave. (Homer, Odyssey 15: 69– 74) O’Gorman, The Origins of Hospitality and Tourism, Goodfellow Publishing © 2010