The business of travel, like any other business, is built on ideas. The men and women working in travel contribute to its ever-changing landscape with their hard work, dedication and ingenuity. These six, however, went above and beyond in their contributions. Their innovative ideas profoundly impacted, and continue to impact, the services we receive in the air, on the ground and on the sea. So the next time you book that vacation, whether it's in a luxurious spa resort or a simple flight, you might want to show a little appreciation to the trailblazers that have made their mark on travel.
Conrad Hilton
When it comes to the hotel industry, no other name crosses the minds of the traveler like the acclaimed Hilton, and for this reason we have to give props to the father of hotel industries, Conrad Hilton. The hotelier first entered the industry after unsuccessfully purchasing a bank, making the purchase of the Mobley Hotel in Texas in 1919 all the more worthwhile.
Motivated by the hotel's achievement, he began launching a series of properties in Texas, throughout the U.S. and eventually across the globe. Not only was Hilton able to become a pioneer by creating one of the leading hotel companies in the world, but also a leader in establishing the first international hotel chain.
Richard Branson
The sky's the limit for renowned entrepreneur Richard Branson, whose radical ideas have pushed the envelope by producing cutting-edge companies including Virgin America and Virgin Atlantic. And by offering space tourism like never before, his drastic innovation continues to take travel outside the norm.
As the founder of British company, Virgin Group, the pioneer has dabbled in a bit of everything under the sun- even putting his claim on Necker Island, his private beautiful hideaway. But as he encourages business owners and customers alike to "shoot for the moon," the travel industry as we know it will never be the same, especially in the coming years as travelers will be able to literally reach for the stars.
Thomas Cook
For Thomas Cook it was a stroll to Leicester from Market Harborough, England that sparked the idea for the first-ever excursions. And with the extension of the Midland Counties railway, his plans of an agency would soon become a reality. His first planned trip occurred on July 5, 1841, following the arrangement he made for over 500 campaigners on an 11-mile trip from Leicester Campbell Street Station to a rally in Loughborough. Each passenger paid one shilling, which granted them their tickets along with food for their journey. Cook received a portion of the fare, leading to a potential career as long as passengers hopped on board.
After a number of successful trips he established Thomas Cook & Son in 1872, which was renamed as the Thomas Cook Group in 2007 after a merger with Thomas Cook AG and My Travel Group plc.
Albert Ballin
The next time you're sailing across the blue ocean while a personalized staff fulfills your every desire, you may want to whisper a special thank you to Albert Ballin.
He was a German business man who operated the first modern cruise on board the SS Auguste Victoria in 1891. However, this voyage was only the beginning for Ballin, who became the general director of the Hamburg American Line after taking over his father's company and transforming it into a major shipping line. Nevertheless, with the voyage of SS Auguste Victoria's success led to the commission of three more sister ships, and eventually the design of the first cruise ship- Prinzessin Victoria Louise.
In the height of Ballin's career he had a total of 14 cruise ships under his belt that serviced Europeans luxuriously on their way to North and South America. He even gave interesting information to cruisers about his fleet as well as future endeavors whenever he traveled on his ships. Although Ballin's life ended tragically because of an accidental suicide, his achievements as a Jew in Germany has respectfully crowned him as the father of modern cruise ship travel.
Kate Hanni
Feeling trapped like a prisoner on a tarmac would make any passenger lose their cool. So when Kate Hanni's American Airlines' flight was stuck on Austin Airport's runway for almost 10 hours, she took to action by creating the organization FlyerRights. Neglected by the airline's staff, Hanni, along with other passengers, went without food, water, medical assistance and were unable to use the bathrooms during the length of time they were stranded, sending her on a mission to prevent other travelers from feeling helpless inflight.
Formerly called the Coalition for Airline Passengers Bill of Rights, the organization was created under Hanni's expertise as a successful real estate broker. Also with a history as a rocker in a band, in true rocker's fashion she let her frustrations out with the song titled, "We've Gotta Get Outta this Plane."
Susan Harmsworth
If you happen to be at the Corinthia Hotel London or Moscow's Ritz-Carlton, you'll want to de-stress under the holistic spa treatments of ESPA, a luxury British spa company. Founded by its CEO, Susan Harmsworth in 1993, her deluxe treatments are so wonderfully incorporated in various destinations and hotels, ESPA has become one of the biggest moneymaking companies in the world. Thanks to Susan Harmsworth, people all over the world have the opportunity to feel like a queen or king under the elegant decor of her topnotch spas.
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