By Alexandre Gourevitch
I am Alexandre. Some 12 years ago, Jim J. and I (along with Bertrand and Thomas) started Discover Walks. A guided tour company dedicated to discovering great cities around the world, in the company of born-and-raised locals.
As an entrepreneur in travel, I have been fascinated by innovations that have made travel and tourism what they are today. In the next few instalments, I will be presenting – and discussing – those great innovations that occurred at one point or another and that make travelling the wonderful leisure that it has become today.
5 articles published
Great innovations in travel: Traveler Reviews
Some innovations might leave us with mixed feelings. But whether we like them or not, they transform the landscape forever. Traveler reviews are an example in point. They are now the Supreme Court Justices of travel, whether for hotels, restaurants, attractions, etc. Guest reviews have turned the customer into a king – truly. Businesses thrive […]
Business, History, Money, Travel
Great innovations in travel: Steam Power
Modern travel would not exist today if it were not for steam power. Steam power, really, you said? Heating water to create energy, and how does this concern how we travel – which is by plane, by train (electrically powered), and by car? Well, steam power brought about trains and, thus, mass travel. In truth, […]
Great innovations in travel: The suitcase
Packing for a trip means packing a suitcase, right? Well, not always. Or to put it differently, the suitcase was not always around. And who invented it? Louis Vuitton is generally credited for it. He was a young man then, in the 1850s. Famous already, as he held a job as an official trunk-maker and […]
Business, Economics, Money, Travel
Great innovations in travel: The restaurant
When I travel, I like to count my blessings. Hotels, museums, public transport, guidebooks and multi-lingual guides. All great innovations. What would travel be like without them? But I feel that one more innovation deserves credit. An innovation both surprisingly recent, and fairly under-appreciated. That’s the restaurant. Beautiful, tasty, sexy, we all love a good […]
Business, Economics, Money, Travel
Great innovations in travel: Paid Leave
Paid Leave is an invention of the modern times. The right for employees to be away from work and continue receiving the same pay during that time. Before paid leave was introduced, people worked 6 days a week, year round. Or 7 days a week. To compensate some, there were lots of public holidays here […]
