Antiquity

Back in ancient times, traveling was risky. People hit the road for trade, politics, or quests. Сultural journeys were part of life, too: Greeks traveled for the Olympics or to see other famous landmarks.

Manuscript

Back in ancient times, traveling was risky. People hit the road for trade, politics, or quests, and travel often depended on one’s status. Сultural journeys were part of life, too: Greeks traveled for the Olympics or to see other famous landmarks.

Map

Back then, travelers had a few options. They could rent a room in a converted private home, stay with their animals in a stable-like inn called a stabula, or use a mansio — a kind of state-run hotel along the road.

Wagon (Raeda)

The raeda was a four-wheeled Roman carriage used for long trips and carrying cargo. It sometimes had padded seats inside, and the roof could be removed.

Bowl

Roman hotels weren’t just for sleeping — you could get a meal or something to drink. Taverns and takeaway food were common in ancient Rome.

Harnessed horse

Whether you are planning your own grand journey like an ancient traveler or arranging epic quests for your customers, Emerging Travel Group got you covered! Our brands, RateHawk, Roundtrip, and ZenHotels, cater to a wide range of travelers — from independent adventurers to travel agents and corporate clients.

Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, traveling was still dangerous and expensive. But there was a new reason to hit the road — pilgrimage. Alongside trade and politics, people now traveled for faith.

Bible

Monasteries, temples, and other sacred accommodations supported travelers on their way to holy places, offering them shelter and food. They also ran hospitals — getting hurt or sick on the road was common.

Flask

The pilgrim’s flask is one of the most iconic artifacts of medieval travel. These small containers, made of metal, clay, or glass, carried holy water, oil, or incense. People brought them back from sacred places. Similarly, in Islam and Buddhism, pilgrims often carried symbolic items and tokens from their journeys, serving as meaningful reminders.

Shell

The shell is a key symbol of pilgrimage. It was first linked to Saint James, whose relics are kept at the famous pilgrimage site Santiago de Compostela. Pilgrims bought souvenirs with shell symbols — proof that they had reached the holy place.

Picture

Lucky for you, travel nowadays has become much more accessible with Emerging Travel Group. Users of our platforms, RateHawk, Roundtrip, and ZenHotels, can easily find the perfect stay for yourself or your clientsfrom millions of accommodations. Modern stays offer local souvenirs, letting travelers take home a piece of their adventure, just like pilgrims who brought back keepsakes to remember their journeys!

18th–19th centuries

As road networks improved, people started traveling for fun — to visit friends and family, or just to see the world!

Picture of Venice

Young nobility began taking long trips across Europe — the Grand Tour — to complete their education. Venice was the top destination. Travelers often brought back souvenirs and paintings of its iconic views.

Plate

Not everyone could afford the fancy new hotels. For decent folks on a budget, inns above taverns were a good option. You could eat and listen to music downstairs, then head upstairs to rest.

Vase

Old inns and monasteries didn’t cut it for this new wave of travelers. Wealthy guests wanted comfort. Hotels became more elegant, with refined food and welcoming service.

Retro train photo

The modern-style hotels appeared as travel became easier — first with stagecoaches, then with trains. People could move faster, making travel more comfortable and safe. Modern train travel set a new standard for speed and convenience, boasting amenities like Wi-Fi, meal catering, and spacious cabins. ETG’s brands, RateHawk and Roundtrip, capitalize on these advancements by offering competitive rates for train tickets sourced from the extensive network of our suppliers.

20th сentury

Travel became not just more comfortable but also more affordable. People started staying in hotels for short trips — like vacations.

Telephone

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, hotels started adding new tech to improve comfort. Premium accommodations across Europe had electric lightning, elevators, private bathrooms, and telephones.

Cloche

Room service, as we know it today, started in the 1930s. Luxury hotels in Europe were the first to introduce it — a fresh, modern take on hospitality at the time.

Retro hotel ad

The 20th century saw the rise of large. In 1940s, hotel chains began to expand, spanning the U.S. coast to coast.

Car

Car rentals have been around since 1916, then booming after WWII when rental desks appeared at airports and train stations. Travelers could land, grab a car, and head straight to their hotel. With ETG’s brands, you can do the same — book car rentals in advance, skip the hassle, and drive off right after arrival.

Modern days

Today, there are more hotels than ever — so everyone can find their perfect fit.

Booklets

ETG’s brands, RateHawk, Roundtrip, and ZenHotels, provide access to 2.9 million accommodations worldwide. Whether you are booking your own vacation, planning a business trip, or organizing a journey for your clients, our advanced filters will help you find the best match! Or, if you have a great property to rent, you can become a host via ETG’s Extranet and start welcoming travelers from around the world!

Smartphone

Nowadays, all you need to book travel is your smartphone. ETG’s brands provide a mobile app to help you organize trips with just a few clicks. If you are a property owner, managing your accommodation has never been easier too: you can chat with guests, set up availability, and check bookings on the go through ETG’s Extranet mobile app.

Suitcase

By collaborating with numerous suppliers, ETG’s brands offer access to a wide range of travel services with competitive rates and seamless ticketing. Coupled with our end-to-end support, intuitive booking tools, and advanced filters, we ensure an efficient travel planning experience for every client.

Smart home

AI and smart gadgets are becoming essential in our lives — and the hotel industry is no exception. From virtual concierges to fully robotic hotels, technology is transforming hospitality experience.
As AI evolves, Emerging Travel Group is paving the way for the future of travel: our machine learning model identifies the best hotel rates, the smart recommendation service offers quick alternatives, while AI-powered voice chat robots streamline the pre-check process.