The first decade of the 21st century was tumultuous for the travel industry. Terrorist attacks at the beginning of the decade and internet technology that has evolved throughout the decade are undeniably the biggest factors in the changes of the travel industry worldwide.

Terrorist plots have radically changed airport security measures. Now, every checked bag is examined, liquids are not allowed on planes, and passengers must remove their shoes to pass security check points. This was not the case just ten years ago. Over the course of the decade though, travelers have just gotten used to these measures. It would be nearly unthinkable for any traveler to show up at the airport ten minutes before departure with a bottle of water in hand.

The internet has played just as significant a role in the evolution of the travel industry as the terror attacks did, but in a different way. Travel booking sites such as Orbitz.com and Travelocity allow travelers to book flights, hotels, and rental cars online. Travel review sites such as TripAdvisor.com allow travelers to read reviews of hotels to make sure they don’t get stuck somewhere they don’t want to be. The internet has truly empowered travelers in great ways over the last ten years.

Travel has changed in many other significant ways as well. To get a more in depth take on this topic, read the AP story at yahoo news.