According to Chris Cooper (2005) the tourism industry can be defined as a whole range of individuals, companies, organizations and places that combine in some way to offer a travel experience. A hospitality industry can be considered an industry that provides food, beverage, and accommodation services. The tourism and hospitality industry has flourished even as it has struggled to meet difficult challenges (Cetron, 2001) and “globalisation” may be the cause of this, which is having a significant influence on the sector. The influence of globalization on the tourism and hospitality sector, however, may not always be positive, but can also be contradictory, which can disrupt the sector and the people involved in it. This essay will further develop the concept of globalization and examine economic, social and political factors. Furthermore, the essay will also explore multinational corporations (MNCs) and present topics that focus on globalization. The history of tourism and its evolution will also be considered. The word 'tourist' first appeared in the English language in the early 1800s (Cooper & Fletcher, 2005) and in this century the first hotel opened in London. By the end of the next century Thomas Cook offered the first all-inclusive tour at the Paris Exhibition, and in 1872 steam was harnessed to power ships when the first round-the-world tour was organised. A look into the past reveals that tourism started early and has since evolved significantly with changing technology, government in... middle of paper ......tourism in Europe: Addison Wesley Longman Limited, England. 2nd editionGriffin, R.W. & Pustay, M.W. (2002): International Business: A Managerial Perspective: Pearson Education, Inc, New Jersey. 2nd edition Gilbert, 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 picture: Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford.