The Escape Industry - How iconic and innovative brands built the travel business - Grand Format

In his customary accessible and informative style, Mark Tungate examines the evolution of the travel industry by taking a close-up look at some of its most famous brands. In The Escape Industry he travels back in time to explore the 19th-century origins of Thomas Cook and the Ritz, as well as the legendary romance of the Orient Express. Who were the visionaries behind them ? What are the branding secrets that have enabled them to survive ? His journey continues with insights into the strategies of the world's largest hotel groups, including Four Seasons, Marriott and Hilton.
After taking to the high seas with the cruise giants, he takes flight with the airlines, touching on the rivalry between British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, before moving on to the emergence of low-cost travel. The story enters the internet age with an examination of how travel agents are coping in a digital world, alongside profiles of innovative brands such as Lastminute and Airbnb. Finally, the book soars into the future with a report from the final frontier of space tourism.
Studded with exclusive interviews and alive with incidents and anecdotes, The Escape Industry takes readers on a journey into the heart of a fascinating business.