Hotels have their origins in the cultures of ancient societies. But the word "hotel" didn't
appear until the 18th century. It came from the French hotel, large house, and originated
in the Latin roots hospitium or hospes. Hospitality, hostile and hotels are all related words.
The difficulty of identifying early travelers as friends or foes probably accounts for the
conflict in meanings. Friendly travelers found security and accommodations through the
hospitality of their hosts. As the number of travelers increased, personal courtesy gave way
to commercial enterprise. The hotel was born carrying with it a culture of hospitality.
UNDERSTANDING THE HOTEL BUSINESS
The Traditional Hotel Industry.pdf