World travel numbers have increased dramatically since the 1970s, and yearly international tourists were recorded at 1.2 billion in 2017. No one had access to mobile phones in the 1970s, and Motorola created the first-ever mobile phone in 1984. Although air travel has been possible since the 1960s, it was a luxury industry back in the day and most people could not afford to travel by plane.
Travel Innovations In The 1970s
In 1971, Amtrak played a significant role in reshaping the traveling industry by solidifying its brand in the United States. It is a railroad passenger service mainly functional in 43 states and went through 21 different routes, making it possible for Americans to travel within the country at a considerable pace.
Initially, the company played a role in dissuading car usage, but in 1975, it introduced a range of Superliner cars, making it possible for people to travel long distances. The car fleet cost the company 313 million USD and featured several cabins and lounge cars with dining options.
Travel Changing In The 1980s
It wasn’t until the 1980s that air travel started to become the norm, which was previously thought of as a luxury that wasn’t affordable to the vast majority of people. Transportation of goods began to pick up pace in this decade, and it wasn’t until later that jet-setting became a trend.
The Revolution Of Travel From The 1980s to the 2000s
A large number of hybrid vehicles began to grace the stage in the 1990s, and the first gas-electric Toyota Prius made its debut in Japan. By 2007, more than 1 million Priuses had been sold worldwide, making it easier for people to travel and commute within their cities and across borders. Road tripping became a new trend in the late 90s and early 2000s, making it possible for people to travel long distances with friends and families to explore other cities.
The Decade Of Travel In The 2010s
Air travel became extremely common and affordable to people from lower-income brackets in this decade, and business-class-only airlines began to grace the stage to cater to a select group of people. Luxury travelers soon realized that private jets aren’t the only means of luxurious travel. Companies like Qatar Airways and La Compagnie began to offer lavish services that were affordable to high-income households and businessmen.
Modern Day Travel In The 2020s
We are still in the most innovative decade in human history regarding travel, which has blown the minds of people who did not see it coming. Elon Musk’s SpaceX program has made it possible to travel to Mars in the coming years, and there is a plan to open up a space hotel in 2027. People use all kinds of transportation services to travel within cities and into countries around the world. This would make it possible for your average person to travel to many parts of the world within a lifetime.
Wrap Up
Travel has changed dramatically since the 1970s, and innovations are constantly being made to reshape the industry in entirely new ways. However, developing countries are still struggling to upgrade their railways and intra-city travel services, but progress is continuously being made.
