Introduction in Tourism

and Information
Technology
Chapter 1
 LEARNING OBJECTIVE
At the end of the chapter, the student should be able to:

1. identify key terms and concepts in information technology;

2. describe the evolution of information technology;
3. recognize the types of information technologies relevant to
tourism;
4. explain the synergies between the travel industry and information
technology; and
5. evaluate the strategic applications of information technology in
tourism organizations and destinations.
 What is Tourism and Information
Technology?

• Information technology
can be defined as “the
application of computers
and telecommunications
equipment to store,
retrieve, transmit and
manipulate data”
• In a business context, information
technologies are often referred to
as
• Information systems.
“Information systems are
combinations of hardware,
software and telecommunications
networks that people build and use
to collect, create, and distribute
useful data, typically in organization
settings”
Characteristics of Tourism Services

Heterogeneit
y

Global Perishability
Tourism

Inseparability Intangibility
 Applications of Information
Technologies in Tourism
The following are the different sectors of the tourism industry
that have adopted IT at different rates.
Aviation Sector
Airline Sector
Travel Intermediaries
Hospitality Sector
Attractions, Entertainment, Casinos and
Conventions
Tourism Destinations
Travelers
 TYPOLOGIES OF INFORMATION

1.Information is not
used up or depleted
as it is consumed.
Instead, it expands
as it is used.
TYPOLOGIES OF INFORMATION
2. Information and
information technology
can actually be used
as substitute for the
other three resources
of land, labor and
capital.
 TYPOLOGIES OF
INFORMATION

3. Information has
tendency to leak.
 Different Types of Travel
Information
STATIC TOURISM
INFORMATION
• Tourism information
does not change very
frequently and
therefore is relatively
static. Static tourism
information may
change in the long
term but not in the
short term.
Different Types of Travel
Information
DYNAMIC TOURISM
INFORMATION
• information changes
frequently. A large volume of
tourism information,
however is dynamic and
requires digital format for
frequent updates and rapid
transmission. Dynamic
information changes daily,
weekly, monthly and
seasonally.
THE EVOLUTION OF INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGIES
 COMPUTER
• The first commercially available computer (UNIVAC 1)
was unveiled in 1951.
• IBM soon followed with the world's first mass-produced
computer, the IBM650.
• The invention of the transistor by Bell Laboratories eventually
led to the development of a second generation of computers,
which were smaller, faster and more powerful

• In 1970, Intel Corporation invented the microprocessor for use

of microcomputers. Major commercial microcomputers included
the Apple II and the IBM PC.

• In 1965, Intel co-founder Gordon Moore observed that the

number of transistor and integrated circuits in computers
doubled roughly every two years. this prediction known as
Moore's Law, has proved to be accurate for over 50 years and
can be applied to processor speed, memory, sensors, data
storage capacity, data transmission and the number and size
of pixels in digital cameras.
NETWORKING AND THE INTERNET
• IBM, Apple and Microsoft laying the foundation
of Digital Revolution, some organizations were
already thinking about the potential of linking
computers together using networks.

• In 1970, the science fiction writer Arthur C.

Clarke made the following prediction in the
magazine Popular science

• Arthur C. Clarke's prediction became a reality 12

years later when network at the Advanced
Research Project Agency (ARPA) and several
universities in USA were connected to create
Internet - a network of networks.

• The internet expanded rapidly in Europe and

Australia in the mid-1980s and to Asia in the
late 1980s and early 1990s.
UBIQUITOUS TECHNOLOGY
• In the early 1990s the miniaturization of
electronics and batteries made pocket-size
portable devices possible triggering the new
product category of PDAs.

• The development of mobile phones and PDAs

is significant because the convergence of
these two technologies in 1994 resulted in the
first smartphone, the IBM 'Simon'

• This was followed by a period of intense

competition between mobile phone
manufacturers, computer makers and
electronics companies, eventually leading to
the release of the first successful mass-
marker smartphone, the Apple iPhone.

• . In 2007, the proliferation of mobile devices

and apps has created many new benefits for
both travel industry and for travelers
Strategic Thinking and Information
Technology
 Ways that Enterprises can use
IT Strategically
1. Managing Value Chains 2. Managing Knowledge
• value chains are activity, or series of
• the expert management of information
activities, that create and build
value for destination, intermediaries, and data resources is essential for
suppliers or travelers. This can be success. Knowledge management
done through the design of product system in tourism involved the
and services or through supply chain sophisticated use of computers to
management. IT application can generate information that can be used
affect value chains by changing in decision-making. Computer
information and distribution technology offers huge potential in
channels, and making them more this area. Database management
accessible and transparent, thereby system can store and process millions
generating more profit. of costumer records, accounts,
product reviews and etc. to generate
knowledge that will guide strategic
decision making.
 Ways that Enterprises can use
IT Strategically
3. Marketing and Competitive 4. Service Delivery and Customer
Advantages Relationship Management
• the application of IT provides
a strong competitive • Customer relationship
advantage in the areas of management (CRM) is a
sales and marketing. The use business philosophy that
of electronic distribution focuses on the consumer and
channels, social media attempts to create a meaningful
platform and other relationship with them
innovation connect the
supplier with new and
different market
 Ways that Enterprises can use
IT Strategically

5. Strategic Listening
part of an organization’s
success is based on listening to
employees, customers,
suppliers and competitors, and
this provides deeper
understanding of how the
organization can strategically
change and move forward. It
can provide more shared
meaning and direction. IT as an
excellent tool to assist in the
listening process.
Any Questions?
 Why is tourism
such an
information
intensive
industry? Explain
and give some
examples.
THANK YOU