Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The package holiday was invented by a Fascist dictator
Not quite. The person generally credited with the first public excursion was Thomas Cook, who in 1841 advertised a railway trip to a Temperance picnic. This missionary, on holiday with a bunch of signed-up non-drinkers, would have been horrified at what became of his idea. Modern holiday- makers might be alarmed at the targets of some later Cook's tours: public executions.
It wasn't until 1950 that the modern airfare and accommodation package was invented by Vladimir Raitz, who took 300 holidaymakers to Corsica - and lost money, setting a pattern for too many tour operators since.
This was the start of Britain's 20-million-holidays-a-year business. But what bump-started the idea in Spain was General Franco's realisation that tourism was the path to riches. Shunned by the rest of Europe, the Fascist dictator hit on the idea that was to keep Spain in foreign exchange for years to come.
The writer is producer of 'Sangri-La: the History of Package Holidays', presented by Dennis Waterman, Radio 2 on Tuesday 29 July at 9.30pm.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments