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LECTURE 1.
BIT 317 GEOGRAPHIC TOURISM INFORMATION
SYSTEMS.
WHAT IS GIS?
A geographic information system (GIS) is a system that creates, manages, analyzes, and
maps all types of data. GIS connects data to a map, integrating location data (where
things are) with all types of descriptive information (what things are like there).
This provides a foundation for mapping and analysis that is used in science and even the
tourism industry.

WHAT ARE TOURISM SYSTEMS?

The tourism system is a complex network of human, geographical, and institutional
relationships. Besides the human focal point of the tourist, the destination is the main
driver within the industry and the raison d'être of tourism.

WHAT ARE THE GEOGRAPHICAL ELEMENTS OF TOURISM?

Geographical components provide suitable bases for tourism development. These
components are accessibility and location, space, scenery (landforms, water, and
vegetation), and climate

GIS SOFTWARE.
A GIS software program is a computer program to support the use of a geographic
information system.
Many GIS software applications are available–both commercial and open source. Two
popular applications are ArcGIS and QGIS.
Others include:
 Google Earth Pro.
 BatchGeo.
 Google Maps API.
 Maptitude.
 ArcGIS Pro.
 Citymapper

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So, Is Google maps a GIS system?

Google Maps is probably the most widely used of the GIS platforms. Although it is not
necessarily the best tool for complex data visualization, it is extremely robust and easy to
use on mobile devices, and is better for the demonstration of routes and journey times.

WHAT CAN WE DO WITH GIS?

GIS can be used as tool in both problem solving and decision making processes, as well as
for visualization of data in a spatial environment. Geospatial data can be analyzed to
determine:
• The location of features and relationships to other features.
• Where the most and/or least of some feature exists.
• The density of features in a given space.
• What is happening inside an area of interest?
• What is happening nearby some feature or phenomenon?
• How a specific area has changed over time and in what way.

DATA REPRESENTATION.
GIS data represents real world objects (e.g. roads, land use, elevation, trees, waterways,
etc.). There are 2 broad methods used to store data in GIS:
1. Vector data model.
2. Raster data model.

Vector Data Model.

A coordinate-based data model that represents geographic features as points, lines, and
polygons.
1. Points Location of Wells, Schools, or Points of Interest.
2. Lines / Polylines Road Centerlines, Rivers, Trails, or Streets.
3. Polygons Boundary of Cities, Lakes, or Forests.

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Watch this 15 minute video via the link to better understand how points, lines and
polygons are made.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSR4onNaSzU

Raster data model.

The raster data model is a widely used method of storing geographic data. The model
most commonly takes the form of a grid-like structure that holds values at regularly spaced
intervals over the extent of the raster.

How is GIS used in tourism?

In the tourism industry, GIS is used to provide:
▪ A digital map base for printed maps
▪ Digital files for Internet mapping
▪ Digital files for mobile mapping
▪ Attractions map
▪ Website with interactive mapping

GIS technology offers great opportunities for the development of modern tourism
applications using maps.

Mapping where things are. We can map the spatial location of real-world features and
visualize the spatial relationships among them.
Mapping quantities. People map quantities, such as where the most and least are, to find
places that meet their criteria or to see the relationships between places.
Mapping densities. Sometimes it is more important to map concentrations, or a quantity
normalized by area or total number.
Finding what is inside. We can use GIS to determine what is happening or what features
are located inside a specific area/region. We can determine the characteristics of "inside"
by creating specific criteria to define an area of interest (AOI).
Finding what is nearby. We can find out what is happening within a set distance of a
feature or event by mapping what is nearby using geo-processing tools like BUFFER.
Mapping change. We can map the change in a specific geographic area to anticipate
future conditions, decide on a course of action, or to evaluate the results of an action or
policy.

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COMPONENTS OF A GIS
A working GIS integrates five key components: hardware, software, data, people, and
methods. Hardware.
Hardware is the computer on which a GIS operates. Today, GIS software runs on a wide
range of hardware types, from centralized computer servers to desktop computers used
in stand-alone or networked configurations.
Software
GIS software provides the functions and tools needed to store, analyze, and display
geographic information. Key software components are:
· Tools for the input and manipulation of geographic information
· A database management system (DBMS)
· Tools that support geographic query, analysis, and visualization.
· A graphical user interface (GUI) for easy access to tools.
Data
Possibly the most important component of a GIS is the data. Geographic data and
related tabular data can be collected in-house or purchased from a commercial data
provider. A GIS will integrate spatial data with other data resources and can even use a
DBMS, used by most organizations to organize and maintain their data, to manage
spatial data.
People
GIS technology is of limited value without the people who manage the system and
develop plans for applying it to real world problems. GIS users range from technical
specialists who design and maintain the system to those who use it to help them perform
their everyday work.
Methods
A successful GIS operates according to a well-designed plan and business rules, which are
the models and operating practices unique to each organization.

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GPS= The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a utility that provides users with
positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services. This system consists of three segments:
the space segment, the control segment, and the user segment.

Glossary Basic GIS Terms

Attribute - A characteristic of a geographic feature, typically stored in tabular format and

linked to the feature in a relational database. The attributes of a well-represented point
might include an identification number, address, and type.
Base Layer - A primary layer for spatial reference, upon which other layers are built.
Examples of a base layer typically used are either the parcels, or street centerlines.
Buffer - A zone of a specified distance around a feature.
Computer Aided Design (CAD) - An automated system for the design, drafting and
display of graphically oriented information.
Coordinate - An x,y location in a Cartesian coordinate system or an x,y,z coordinate in a
three dimensional system. Coordinates represent locations on the Earth’s surface relative
to other locations. Database - A logical collection of interrelated information, managed
and stored as a unit. A GIS database includes data about the spatial location and shape of
geographic features recorded as points, lines, and polygons as well as their attributes.
Digital Elevation Model (DEM) - Terrain elevation data provided in digital form.
Digitize - To encode map features as x,y coordinates in digital form. Lines are traced to
define their shapes. This can be accomplished either manually or by use of a scanner.

Geocode - The process of identifying a location by one or more attributes from a base
layer.
Geographic Information System (GIS) - An organized collection of computer hardware,
software, geographic data, and personnel designed to efficiently capture, store, update,
manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of geographically referenced information.
Global Positioning System (GPS) - A satellite based device that records x,y,z coordinates
and other data. Ground locations are calculated by signals from satellites orbiting the
Earth. GPS devices can be taken into the field to record data while walking, driving, or
flying.
Layer - A logical set of thematic data described and stored in a map library. Layers act as
digital transparencies that can be laid atop one another for viewing or spatial analysis.
Line – Lines represent geographic features too narrow to be displayed as an area at a
given scale, such as contours, street centerlines, or streams.
Metadata – Information about a data set. It may include the source of the data; its
creation date and format; its projection, scale, resolution, and accuracy; and its reliability
with regard to some standard. Ortho Imagery - Aerial photographs that have been
rectified to produce an accurate image of the Earth by removing tilt and relief
displacements, which occurred when the photo was taken.
Point – A single x,y coordinate that represents a geographic feature too small to be
displayed as a line or area at that scale.
Polygon - A multisided figure that represents area on a map. Polygons have attributes
that describe the geographic feature they represent.
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Scale – The ratio or relationship between a distance or area on a map and the
corresponding distance or area on the ground.
Spatial Analysis - The process of modeling, examining, and interpreting model results.
Spatial analysis is useful for evaluating suitability and capability, for estimating and
predicting, and for interpreting and understanding.
Structured Query Language (SQL) - A syntax for defining and manipulating data from a
relational database. Developed by IBM in the 1970s, it has become an industry standard
for query languages in most relational database management systems.
Theme – An ArcView theme stores map features as primary features (such as arcs, nodes,
polygons, and points) and secondary features such as tics, map extent, links, and
annotation. A theme usually represents a single geographic layer, such as soils, roads, or
land use.

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