This document provides an overview of the hotel industry. It discusses the history and evolution of hotels from basic lodging establishments to modern facilities that offer additional amenities. Key developments include the emergence of first class hotels in the 1800s, building booms in the 1920s, the rise of motels in the 1950s, and industry consolidation through mergers and acquisitions from the 1980s onward. Current trends include increased internet bookings, non-smoking policies, upgraded amenities like luxury mattresses and high-speed wifi, and the segmentation of the industry into different hotel categories. The hotel industry is closely tied to tourism and hospitality.
Related topics: