Gebouwen van Hotel Viktoria, Pension Jungfrau en Thomas Cook & Son in Interlaken c. 1880 - 1910

Photoglob & Co. created this photograph of the Hotel Viktoria, Pension Jungfrau, and Thomas Cook & Son in Interlaken. This image encapsulates the rise of tourism in Switzerland, transforming its landscape and economy. We see the grand architecture of hotels catering to affluent travelers, symbols of a burgeoning industry that reshaped local culture. The presence of Thomas Cook & Son, a pioneering travel agency, highlights the institutional structures facilitating this movement. Switzerland's picturesque scenery, coupled with advancements in transportation, made it a prime destination for leisure and health tourism. These hotels provided luxurious accommodations and access to scenic vistas, reflecting the values of the upper classes. To fully grasp its significance, we can delve into archival records, travel guides, and historical accounts to understand the social dynamics of tourism. Art, like this photograph, is always contingent on the social and institutional context in which it was made.