Final answer:
The emergence of online booking platforms has revolutionized the hospitality and tourism industry by making travel planning more accessible and convenient, vastly expanding the industry's potential customer base.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Internet has had a profound impact on the hospitality and tourism industry, primarily through the emergence of online booking platforms. This innovation has revolutionized how people plan and book travel, allowing for greater ease, speed, and convenience. The option of online bookings has enabled travelers to compare prices, find deals, and customize their travel packages from the comfort of their homes, which has significantly expanded the potential customer base for businesses in this industry. In contrast, while the use of telegrams, growth of railroad networks, and introduction of luxury cruises have all impacted travel and commerce historically, they do not have the transformative, modern-day impact that the Internet's ability to facilitate online bookings has had on the tourism sector.