According to Chris Cooper (2005), the tourism industry can be defined as a collection of individuals, businesses, organizations and places that combine in one way or another to provide a travel experience. . A hospitality industry can be considered as an industry that provides food, beverage, and accommodation services. The tourism and hospitality industry has thrived even though it has struggled to cope with difficult challenges (Cetron, 2001) and “globalization” could be the cause and have a significant influence on the industry . The influence of globalization on the tourism and hospitality industry is however not always positive, but can also be contradictory, which can disrupt the industry and the people involved in it. This essay will further develop the concept of globalization and examine the economic, social and political factors. Additionally, the essay will also explore multinational corporations (MNCs) and put forward arguments that are at the heart of globalization. In addition, the history of tourism and its evolution will also be taken into account. The word “tourist” first appeared in the English language in the early 1800s (Cooper & Fletcher, 2005) and during that same century the first hotel was opened in London. By the end of the next century, Thomas Cook had proposed the first inclusive voyage to the Paris Exhibition, and in 1872 steam was used to power ships when organizing the first round-the-world voyage. A look back reveals that tourism began very early and has since evolved significantly with the evolution of technology, government in...... middle of paper ......urism in Europe: Addison Wesley Longman Limited, England. 2nd Edition Griffin, RW & Pustay, MW (2002): International Business: A Managerial Perspective: Pearson Education, Inc, New Jersey. 2nd editionGilbert, D. Cooper, C. Fletcher, J & Wanhill, S (1998): Tourism: principles and practice: Pearson Education Limited, England. 2nd editionNeetle, D (2004): Business in context: Thomson, London. Stonehouse, G. Campbell, D. Hamill, J & Purdie, T (2004): Global and transnational Business: Strategy and Management: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, England. 2nd editionWillmott, M ​​& Graham, S (2002): The world of today and tomorrow: the European portrait: Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford.