The Biblical story found in Luke 2 describes that Caesar Augustus had issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. Everyone was required to go to their home town to register and pay a special tax.
“…So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David… He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.”[1]
When they arrived in Bethlehem, they found that because so many people were coming to pay their taxes, there was no room in the inns. At the last one they tried, the innkeeper offered them a stable to sleep in.
We all know this story as that of the birth of Jesus. It’s a sacred story written to inform its readers of the birth of Christ. But, it is also one of the earliest historic records of one of the purest forms of economic development: tourism.
The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem is between 60 and 80 miles by foot - no easy trip in those days, especially with a very pregnant fiancé as a traveling companion. Clearly, it took the couple several days to complete their journey. Along they way, they undoubtedly spent their hard-earned money at various hotels and eating establishments.
The owners of the inns as well as restaurants and shops were doing a bang-up business. They were probably able to jack up their prices to the maximum amount possible at the time. The whole census thing was a huge deal for the small towns back then (circa 9 months B.C.) It would be the equivalent of a city-wide convention taking place in Las Vegas. And, like the procrastinating convention-goer of today, Joseph and Mary found that there was “no room at the inn.” However, the scripture describes that an enterprising innkeeper offered them the use of his stable. Don’t think for a minute that this was a “no charge” deal. The innkeeper was making money hand-over-fist on that evening. He knew he had a couple “live ones.” Heck, Joseph and Mary and baby Jesus were probably not even the only people staying in the barn. This was a smart innkeeper. He probably had several families staying there. And, he was probably able to sell the barn space above the inn’s regular rack rate.
My guess it that a Transient Occupancy Tax had not yet been thought up. Too bad for the local government. If it had, they would surely be high-fiving one another and planning to hold a census as an annual event.
Funny thing is, the story of the birth of Jesus does not represent the earliest days of tourism. The scripture makes reference to more than one Inn that was full. Bethlehem had enough regular tourism business to support more than one hotel. So, it is clear that this type of activity had been practiced for many years.
Tourism dates back to the earliest of prehistoric times and probably originated out of religious ceremonies and opportunities for central trading, or a combination of both. Regardless, tourism was not something that was invented by one person and passed on to others. Rather, it was an obvious opportunity of which people took advantage.
The basic concept of tourism probably began at the dawn of man. Consider this:
Millions of years ago the first humans left the security of their homes to hunt for food and to gather other goods that would make their existence more comfortable. Over time, these people traveled farther and farther, until finally meeting up with other people. Perhaps these other people hunted and collected different game and goods. The two groups sampled one another’s possessions and decided to make a few trades. They were all pleased and agreed to meet up again at a later date and at a specific location.
After many years passed, and many new relationships were established, word of these regular meetings spread. More and more people traveled to the meeting place, at the specific times, to trade goods.
Eventually, a few smart and enterprising folks decided that business was consistent enough that they could continue peddling their wares throughout the year at this central trading area. They remained at the location and greeted visitors from afar with a variety of goods. They were the first vendors and the area became the market.
In time, some of the vendors built shelters to offer the visitors from afar a place to rest. Others provided freshly cooked meals.
Word continued to spread and the market continued to grow in size and popularity. The area now had a commercial center. Dwellings that offered hospitality became inns and eating-places.
Tourism was born.
The model described has not changed over time. It is a simple model of tourism development. Add the production of the goods that the vendors offer for sale; then create a strategy for community development that includes local manufacturing; and the practice of economic development, as we know it today, becomes definitive.
[1] Luke 2:1-20 (New International Version)
