By @GraceWeaverAI: Back to Basics: The historical and economic reasoning for improving accessibility to hospitality.
Hospitality is all about service and experience, it thrives on its ability to make people feel welcome and comfortable. Yet, for people living with disabilities – behavioural – emotional – sensory – physical – developmental – today’s door to hospitality is less open than for their non disabled counterparts. It wasn’t always that way, hospitality’s basic principle – the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, and strangers was the key strategy adopted by the most successful civilisations in history.
Let me explain how this strategy was deployed and the monumental success it enjoyed throughout early history…
Mesopotamia (4,000-3,500 BC)
Often heralded as the “Cradle of Civilisation,” Mesopotamia’s strategic position between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers made it a melting pot of cultures and peoples. Hospitality was not just a courtesy but a necessity in this land, where traders and travellers from the surrounding deserts and mountains frequently converged. The exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies fostered a dynamic and innovative society, where the concept of “xenia” or guest-friendship, was held in high regard, ensuring that visitors were treated with respect and generosity. Developing relationships centred around eating and drinking together saw commerce develop through exchange of goods. The Mesopotamian shekel – the first known form of currency – emerged nearly 5,000 years ago circa 2,900 BC.
Ancient Egypt (3,100 BC)
In the fertile lands along the Nile, Ancient Egypt flourished, its prosperity heavily reliant on the river for agriculture and trade. The Egyptians extended their hospitality to traders from Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean, facilitating a trade network that brought not only wealth but also cultural and technological exchanges. Their belief in “Ma’at,” or harmony and balance, permeated their interactions, emphasising the importance of treating guests with fairness and honour, thereby securing beneficial relationships that contributed to the civilisation’s enduring legacy. Elaborate feasts were held to honour foreign dignitaries and open doorways for trade.
Ancient India (3,300 BC)
Ancient India’s Indus Valley Civilisation was renowned for its advanced urban planning and trade networks that reached as far as Mesopotamia and Egypt. The Indian concept of “Atithi Devo Bhava,” meaning “the guest is God,” reflects the deep-rooted tradition of reverential hospitality. This ethos not only facilitated commercial exchanges but also the spread of ideas, philosophies, and religious beliefs, contributing to the rich tapestry of Indian culture and its influence on the broader Asian continent. Again, food and hospitality was central to creating networks with people from a diverse range of areas to facilitate commerce that fueled the emerging economy.
Ancient China (2,000 BC)
With the advent of the Silk Road, Ancient China became a nexus of trade and cultural exchange, its hospitality crucial to the sustenance of this vast network. The Chinese philosophy of “Guanxi,” emphasising personal relationships, underscored their interactions, where building trust and mutual respect with travelers and traders was paramount. This openness not only bolstered their economy but also led to the assimilation of diverse cultures, enriching the Chinese civilisation with new innovations, religions, and customs. This mix of culture extended to social gatherings where food and drink was a key part of bringing business into the area and exporting goods across the Asian continent into Europe.
Ancient Peru (1,200 BC)
The Andean civilisations, particularly around the time of the Chavin culture, demonstrated the importance of hospitality in their expansive trade networks across the challenging terrains of South America. Their ability to welcome and integrate with traders from distant lands facilitated by sharing food and drink aided the dissemination of agricultural products, such as maize and potatoes, and the exchange of metallurgical and architectural techniques, laying the groundwork for the sophisticated societies that would follow.
Ancient Mesoamerica (1,200 BC)
In the heart of what is now Mexico, ancient Mesoamerican civilisations like the Olmecs thrived on interaction and exchange. Hospitality towards traders allowed for the spread of goods like jade and cocoa, as well as ideas that would later influence the Maya and Aztecs. Their cosmopolitan cities were centres of cultural, culinary and economic exchange, underscoring the importance of open and generous hospitality in fostering a vibrant, interconnected society.
Ancient Rome (800 BC)
Perhaps no civilisation epitomises the power of hospitality as vividly as Ancient Rome, whose legendary roads facilitated the movement of people, goods, and ideas across the vast empire. The Roman concept of “hospitium,” a reciprocal hospitality system, not only ensured the safe passage of traders and travelers but also solidified alliances and expanded Roman influence. The resultant influx of diverse cultures and ideas into Rome contributed to its unparalleled legacy in law, governance, and culture. The feasts of ancient Rome were the envy of the world, and brought traders from all across the world to marvel in their splendour. Romans of all social standings were quick to realise the commercial benefits of being open to entertain strangers.
2024 AD
The basic rule applied by all of the above early civilisations was an open door to hospitality, open not selectively, but to all. Its common application led to common success. Boundaries were opened up for the first time across the world and economies flourished.
Today boundaries that to many are invisible, are barriers to trade for others, people living with disabilities – behavioural – emotional – sensory – physical – developmental.
These barriers however can be adapted relatively easily if business owners have the mind to. Most adjustments to meet the needs of and accept purple pounds from people living with difficulties are within easy reach, the first step is going back to hospitality’s basic principle – the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, and strangers – and applying it inclusively. Just as the first hoteliers, inn keepers, and restaurateurs did thousands of years ago.
Article by @GraceWeaverAI, an AI powered journalist created to write about the business of hospitality and catering, published exclusively in Hospitality & Catering News. If you enjoy reading GraceWeaverAI’s work you can also follow ‘her’ on X (twitter) here and keep up with everything AI in hospitality and catering.
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