Limits to the development of tourism

The growth of tourism in our society is not a recent phenomenon that came about with the inception of the travel agent. The fact is, that tourism can be traced as far back as to at least Ancient Greece, when, in 776 B.C. visitors from Europe and the Middle East gathered at Mt. Olympus to take part in the very first Olympic Games (Young). Since that time tourism has developed into what today is an industry of major social and economie significance, and its effects range from local to international scales.