Travel Milestones From the Last 50 Years

Celebrating its 50th birthday this year, TravelAge West takes a look at major moments in travel history from 1969 to 2019

By Emma Weissmann

In September 2001, Robert Carlsen, the former Managing Editor for TravelAge West (TAW), penned the headline “It’s All Going to Change” on the front page of the magazine’s Sept. 17, 2001, issue.

These five words — a quote from Richard Copland, the former president of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) — were published six days after 9/11 and projected an imminent and immediate shift in the world as we knew it.

And, as Carlsen reflects nearly 18 years later: “Everything did change. From then on, keeping up with the airlines and security issues was challenging and exhausting. People stopped traveling, which hit worldwide destinations — as well as U.S. travel agents — very hard.”

"Everything did change. From then on, keeping up with the airlines and security issues was challenging and exhausting. People stopped traveling, which hit worldwide destinations — as well as U.S. travel agents — very hard."
Robert Carlsen, the former Managing Editor for TravelAge West

And while there may be no singular day so profoundly impactful as that Tuesday morning, the travel industry has experienced its fair share of defining moments over the past half-century — from the disastrous to the jovial. These milestones have, in turn, transformed the frontline agent (TAW’s original reader) into a tech-savvy advisor who’s not afraid to change tried-and-true business methods to stay relevant, all while keeping up with the demands of an evolving clientele.

TAW’s editorial staff has picked 50 of our top moments in travel, beginning in 1969 — the magazine’s founding year — to the present.

What will the next 50 years bring?

The early issues of TravelAge West feature a newspaper-like design. © TravelAge West

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is founded in 1975. © Cruise Lines International Association

1969

The first Boeing 747 jet takes its maiden flight.

Lindblad Explorer, the first private, purpose-built expedition cruise ship, sails the icy Antarctic Ocean.

TravelAge West releases its first print issue on March 10, 1969. This marks a major departure for travel trade media, both by bringing attention to a previously ignored segment of the industry — frontline travel agents — and by seeking to challenge old-school publishers’ East Coast content bias. The success of the TAW brand is an acknowledgement that agents, not just agency owners, offer advice that can make or break travel companies, and that residents of the fast-growing cities of the West are easily able to rival consumers in traditional markets. — Kenneth Shapiro, Editor-in-Chief

1970

The Mexican government develops Cancun, Mexico. A picturesque strip of Caribbean coastline is deemed an ideal place for tourism, and Cancun’s development as one of the world’s first master-planned resorts has far-reaching effects throughout the industry, from the value of strategic planning to the rise of the all-inclusive concept. Cancun has forged an admirable role as a trendsetter for sun-soaked resort hot spots around the globe. — Mark Chesnut, Contributing Editor, Mexico

1971

Southwest Airlines, the country’s first “no-frills, low-fare” airline, completes its first route between Dallas and San Antonio.

1972

Ted Arison founds Carnival Cruise Line. Arison lays the groundwork for what will eventually become a massive, nine-brand corporation with more cruise ships collectively than any other in the world. Carnival’s fleet of “Fun Ships” — now represented by their signature whale tail-shaped funnels — has become the value leader in the mainstream cruising market. — Jason Leppert, Contributing Editor, Cruise

A patent is granted for the Rollaboard suitcase.

1973

The first mobile phone is invented.

1975

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is founded.

1977

“The Love Boat” hits the small screen. Producer Aaron Spelling’s hit television series debuts, broadcasting cruise travel as a popular pastime and making Princess Cruises a household name. Captain Stubing, played by actor Gavin MacLeod, and his fictional crew depict a carefree shipboard atmosphere that continues to appeal to viewers-turned-cruisers. — J.L.

1978

The Airline Deregulation Act is signed into law. When the Carter administration signs this act into federal law, the government relinquishes control over airline-imposed fees, routes and the addition of new airlines into the market. Not only does this legislation increase competition between airlines, it also vastly alters the passenger experience. Lower airfares mean more choice for consumers, and U.S. airports begin seeing a record number of travelers. — Emma Weissmann, Associate Editor

Several airlines begin separating full-fare and discounted economy tickets, leading to the creation of business class.

1979

Texas International Airlines creates the first frequent-flyer program that tracks passenger mileage.

1983

Control Video Corporation, later renamed America Online, enters the scene. The internet age ushers in a new, tech-centric way of conducting business, allowing travel agencies to appeal to a wider array of potential clients by marketing themselves online. — E.W.

1984

U.S. entrepreneur Steve Rubell coins the term “boutique hotel” when comparing New York City’s Morgans Hotel — which he owns with Ian Schrager — to a boutique.

1988

Royal Caribbean debuts Sovereign of the Seas, the industry’s first “megaship.”

1989

The Mirage opens in Las Vegas. It’s only a slight exaggeration to say that The Mirage hotel saves Las Vegas. It is built by the legendary Steve Wynn while Las Vegas tourism is in a steady decline: The destination is considered old and unfashionable, and it’s facing stiff competition from newly legalized gambling in Atlantic City, N.J. The Mirage, which is the largest and most expensive hotel ever built at the time — the property’s distinctive gold windows get their color from actual gold dust — reinvigorates Sin City and sets off a building boom of one mega-newbuild after another. — K.S.

1990

The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) is established. The ATTA is driven by its core values: adventure travel should support local communities, be environmentally sustainable and serve as a means of transformation for the traveler. By practicing what it preaches, the ATTA community is an industry model of how travel can, and should, be a force for good. — Mindy Poder, Executive Editor

The term “codeshare” is first coined by Qantas and American Airlines, according to a 1989 edition of Financial Review.

1991

The Berlin Wall, which separated East and West Germany, falls, leading to the opening of Eastern Europe.

1992

The Category 4 Hurricane Iniki, the strongest storm in modern Hawaii’s history, causes billions of dollars’ worth of damage, mostly on Kauai. It shutters the island’s iconic Coco Palms Resort, where renovation efforts have stalled to this day. While hurricanes seldom strike the Aloha State, Iniki demonstrates how Hawaii’s exotic, remote location and geography make it vulnerable to forces of nature that impact tourism, which is a key economic driver for the destination. — Marty Wentzel, Contributing Editor, Hawaii

The 106-mile Rhine-Main-Danube Canal opens, ushering in the era of modern European river cruising. A project first conceived by Charlemagne in 793 A.D., the canal’s opening allows the river cruise industry to move from two- or three-night cruises on the Rhine River to a network of connected waterways 2,200 miles long, with port destinations in 15 countries from the North Sea to the Black Sea. These more diverse, longer sailings generate a market for increasingly luxurious ships and amenities. — Marilyn Green, Former Contributing Editor, Cruise

1994

Carlson Wagonlit Travel is formed as a result of a merger between two large travel agency ventures, a contributing factor to the rise of the “mega agency.”

Southwest Airlines introduces the first e-ticket.

1996

The launch of Disney Cruise Line redefines family cruise travel. Although founded in 1996, it launches its first ship, Disney Magic, in 1998 as the first of a current four-ship fleet. Its earliest innovations include family-friendly cabins with discrete split bathrooms as well as rotational dining rooms and fireworks displays at sea. The entertainment company brings its beloved characters and films onboard and focuses on expansive kids’, tweens’ and teens’ facilities, in addition to adults-only spaces. Disney has another three ships on order for 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. — J.L.

With the rise of the internet, so too comes the rise of online travel agencies (OTAs) such as Expedia and Booking.com, both of which are founded this year. Travel agents are suddenly faced with an entirely new type of competition: online algorithms. — E.W.

1998

The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) is established. The HTA is formed to oversee the development and marketing of Hawaii’s leading industry. In doing so, it broadens the focus of tourism from simply the number of tourists to the overall value of tourism. While continuing to monitor Hawaii’s economic growth, the HTA starts emphasizing the visitor industry’s effect on the natural and cultural environment and quality of life. Its impact can be seen today in a large cross-section of promotional efforts that keep pace with emerging interests and needs of visitors and residents alike. — M.W.

1999

The euro becomes the single form of currency for the countries within the European Union.
Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay becomes the first private island to be bought by a cruise line.

2000

A smoking ban is implemented on all flights.

TripAdvisor launches as an aggregator of reviews from established guidebooks, newspapers and magazines. Its crucial turning point is about a year later, when consumers are given the power to post their own opinions about destinations, accommodations, restaurants and activities — thus holding businesses more accountable than ever before. Today, the world’s largest and most pervasive travel site is an unavoidable part of travel planning, with 760 million reviews and counting. — Valerie Chen, Deputy Digital Editor

2001

Outer space receives its first tourist. Dennis Anthony Tito funds his own trip into space. In mid-2001, he spends nearly eight days in orbit as a crew member of ISS EP-1, a visiting mission o the International Space Station.

The terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the shoe bomb attempt take place.

2002

Airlines eliminate commissions for travel agents. Many major U.S. airlines begin cutting commissions in the mid-1990s, but several fully halt payment to U.S. travel agents booking domestic flights in 2002. At the time, the American Society of Travel Agents (now “Advisors”) calls the movement “anti-consumer.” A 2002 Los Angeles Times article on the topic predicts a sharp increase in the number of agencies charging service fees as a result. — E.W.

2003

Asia sees an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

2005

Television show “No Reservations” debuts. With his irreverent humor and empathetic storytelling, the late Anthony Bourdain offers a deep dive into food culture around the world. He authentically connects with locals, dispels common misconceptions and showcases the humanity of people across all lines of class and politics. — Michelle Juergen, Senior Editor

2006

Writer Elizabeth Gilbert publishes Eat, Pray, Love. Gilbert gives an accessible and witty memoir detailing how a yearlong solo trip to Italy, India and Bali helped her reconnect with her pleasure, spirituality and ability to love. Eat, Pray, Love soon takes on a life of its own: It is turned into a blockbuster film starring actress Julia Roberts; spawns numerous knockoff travel itineraries; and inspires many to set out on their own transformative journeys around the world. — M.P.

2007

Apple introduces the iPhone.

The first recorded outbreak of Zika virus is reported from the Island of Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia.

2008

The U.S. stock market crashes, leading to The Great Recession. This financial collapse becomes the worst economic disaster since The Great Depression.

Apple's App Store debuts, featuring downloadable applications.

2010

Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger launch Instagram. The app — which focuses on communication via images — quickly attracts legions of users, hitting 1 million within two months of its debut. Some nine years and many updates later, Instagram now boasts more than 1 billion users and has also evolved to become a pivotal marketing tool for influencing travel decisions. And though the platform can be a beacon for travel inspiration and tourism growth, its use has repercussions: visitor congestion, environmental ruin and more. — V.C.

2011

Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport introduces TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.

2014

The Obama administration eases travel restrictions to and from Cuba.

An Ebola outbreak strikes West Africa.

The first organization of its kind, the Family Travel Association (FTA) launches. The FTA combines the forces of suppliers, travel advisors and the media to form a network of experts who create a singular voice on behalf of the family travel industry. — E.W.

The FTA has served traveling families since 2014. © 2019 Getty Images

The FTA has served traveling families since 2014. © 2019 Getty Images

2016

Marriott International acquires Starwood Hotels & Resorts, creating the world’s largest hotel company.

2017

Travel Leaders announces the consolidation of Vacation.com with franchise organizations Travel Leaders Associates and Results! Travel, all of which are entities of Travel Leaders Group (TLG). The acquisition makes TLG one of the largest travel agency networks in the world. — E.W.

2018

Royal Caribbean International launches Symphony of the Seas, the current largest cruise ship in the world. The 228,081-ton, 5,518-guest vessel contains seven themed “neighborhoods,” 23 distinct dining venues, the Ultimate Abyss slide and the Ultimate Family Suite. It also features Hooked Seafood restaurant and an onboard rendition of the musical “Hairspray.” It is expected to be surpassed in size by the line’s next Oasis-class ship, which comes online in 2021. — J.L.

To reflect the evolution of the travel agent profession, in August 2018, ASTA changes its name from American Society of Travel Agents to American Society of Travel Advisors. According to Zane Kerby, the organization’s CEO, the new moniker “more accurately describes the value we provide to consumers and is a distinct declaration of who we work for: the traveling consumer.” — M.J.