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In the early years of the twentieth century, tourism continued to expand as a consequence of increasing wealth, interest and outgoing attitudes, and improvements in people’s transport. Advances in transport allowed people to travel in masses. In fact, mass production and mass consumption was the rationale of that period. Although its roots go back to the eighteenth century, travel was still a novelty for the masses, and the homogeneous character of the demand led to the production of standardized products that could suit everyone. From the 1930s onwards, the growing availability of the motor car stimulated tourism further, and during the interwar years the aircraft began to play a small role in the tourism market as an option for the wealthier classes, particularly in Europe (Swarbrooke & Horner, 2007). Further, the arrival of holiday camps aimed at a growing low income market for holidays was a major development of 1930s, and received widespread acceptance by the public. The instant success of the concept resulted in the construction of similar structures all over the coastal areas and even in inland resorts. Moreover, the allure to the sun in 1960s, from the cool and variable climates of Northern Europe and North America, encouraged the emergence of package tours. As such, the mass characteristic of tourism is strengthened further.

This chapter aims to outline the development of mass tourism. In other words, it is aimed to reveal the golden age of mass tourism, which has dominated the whole industry between 1950s and 1980s. Initially, the constitutional factors effecting the development of mass tourism will be discussed. Further …