COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 72111

Hotels

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

17companies1698–1995founding years17still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedShepherd Neame Limited
1698
FoundedManchester United Football Club plc
1878
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedThe Broadmoor Hotel
1918
FoundedGaylord Entertainment Company
1925
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
FoundedWestin Hotels and Resorts Worldwide
1930
FoundedScottish & Newcastle plc
1931
FoundedHelmsley Enterprises, Inc.
1938
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
FoundedSonesta International Hotels CorporationFoundedThe SAS Group
1946
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedAll Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.
1952
FoundedLTU Group Holding GmbH
1955
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedFour Seasons Hotels Inc.
1961
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedSea Containers Ltd.
1965
FoundedTUI Group GmbH
1968
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedHard Rock Cafe International, Inc.
1977
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedAmerihost Properties, Inc.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
FoundedCandlewood Hotel Company, Inc.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Shepherd Neame Limited →
Active · founded 1698 · United Kingdom
Shepherd Neame Limited has the distinction of being among the oldest British brewers as well as the 15th oldest…
Manchester United Football Club plc →
Active · founded 1878 · United Kingdom
Manchester United Football Club plc has earned a reputation as England's most financially successful football team.
The Broadmoor Hotel →
Active · founded 1918
The Broadmoor Hotel provides luxury accommodations for its guest with 700 rooms and suites, as well as fine dining and…
Gaylord Entertainment Company →
Active · founded 1925
Gaylord Entertainment Company is a diversified entertainment and communications company whose holdings include the…
Westin Hotels and Resorts Worldwide →
Active · founded 1930
Westin Hotels and Resorts Worldwide is the oldest hotel management company in North America and one of the most admired.
Scottish & Newcastle plc →
Active · founded 1931 · United Kingdom
Scottish & Newcastle plc is the United Kingdom's largest brewer.
Helmsley Enterprises, Inc. →
Active · founded 1938
Beleaguered as it has been since Leona Helmsley's 1989 indictment and eventual conviction and imprisonment on charges…
Sonesta International Hotels Corporation →
Active · founded 1946
Sonesta International Hotels Corporation owns or operates 25 hotel, resort, and cruise properties in Bermuda, the…
The SAS Group →
Active · founded 1946 · Sweden
The SAS Group is made up of the Scandinavian Airlines System and SAS International Hotels d.b.a.
All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1952 · Japan
All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.
LTU Group Holding GmbH →
Active · founded 1955 · Germany
LTU Group Holding GmbH is Germany's third-largest leisure travel tour operator and one of Europe's leading charter…
Four Seasons Hotels Inc. →
Active · founded 1961 · Canada
Four Seasons Hotels Inc.
Sea Containers Ltd. →
Active · founded 1965 · United Kingdom
Sea Containers Ltd.
TUI Group GmbH →
Active · founded 1968 · Germany
TUI Group GmbH, based in Germany, is Europe's largest tourism conglomerate.
Hard Rock Cafe International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1977
Without rival for years, themed restaurant phenomenon Hard Rock Cafe International, Inc.
Amerihost Properties, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
Amerihost Properties, Inc.--known for its fast-growing flagship chain AmeriHost Inns--owns and operates more than 90…
Candlewood Hotel Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1995
Candlewood Hotel Company, Inc.
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