Showing papers in "Information Technology & Tourism in 2001"

Predicting usage of the Internet for travel bookings: an exploratory study.

Abstract: The marketing of travel on the Internet is growing rapidly and with this so is travel e-commerce. Unfortunately, the research information to date on people searching for travel information online and booking travel through the Internet has lacked depth and sophistication. Therefore, this study developed and tested predictive models for the likelihood of booking travel online and for being a repeat booker of travel online. Using an interactive survey method, the respondents were asked to provide information on their sociodemographic characteristics, travel-related behaviors, Internet usage patterns, perceptions of the Internet, and last trips booked online. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was then applied to develop the two predictive models. A conceptual model was suggested depicting the process through which people become Internet travel bookers.

Case base querying for travel planning recommendation.

Abstract: This paper describes the general architecture and function of an intelligent recommendation system aimed at supporting a leisure traveller in the task of selecting a tourist destination, bundling a set of products and composing a plan for the travel. The system enables the user to identify his own destination and to personalize the travel by aggregating elementary items (additional locations to visit, services and activities). Case-Based Reasoning techniques enable the user to browse a repository of past travels and make possible the ranking of the elementary items included in a recommendation when these are selected from a catalogue. The system integrates data and information originating from external, already existent, tourist portals exploiting an XML-based mediator architecture, data mapping techniques, similarity-based retrieval and online analytical processing.

Self-booking of high- and low-complexity travel products: exploratory findings

Abstract: With electronic markets emerging on the Internet, the travel agency has been characterized as the most endangered organization in the travel industry as potential travelers now have the opportunity to bypass intermediaries in the distribution chain Customers are offered good opportunities for convenient and inexpensive travel bookings on the Internet, but at the same time they face many problems and limitations in this regard This research empirically examines the issue of self-bookings in travel It reports on a series of exploratory studies conducted in order to investigate the opportunities offered as well as the problems facing any consumer trying to make his own travel reservations over the Internet today, and especially the differences between high- and low-complexity bookings in this regard Four hypotheses were uncovered that relate to the issue of the complexity of the booking task, all emanating from the intuitively realistic supposition that low-complexity travel arrangements are better suited for direct distribution over the Internet than high-complexity arrangements Using reservation and survey data from samples of students, nearly all of which were experienced Internet users, little support was found for the hypothesized relationships

The expansion of technology in small and medium hospitality enterprises with a focus on net technology.

Abstract: In several earlier studies it was revealed that small/independent hotels are being marginalized from the mainstream tourism industry due to their inability to participate in the transformation of best practices due to their reluctance to utilize information technologies. Wales is a good illustration of a peripheral region with predominately small independent hotels and as such is reflective of the profile of the independent hotel sector in Europe. This article is based on research undertaken in collaboration with the Wales Tourist Board (WTB) via postal surveys in 1994, 2000, and 2001 into the use of technology and, specifically the latter surveys, focused on the penetration of the Internet in hospitality organizations in Wales. The responses to the surveys were sufficient to reach some comparisons over a period of time about the growth of technology and the Internet in this sector, the factors that influence the use of technology, and additionally some insight into the opinions of hotel managers who are nonusers of technology and the Internet. This article concludes that penetration is high in 2001 and the WTB has acted neither as a facilitator nor an influence in its adoption by its members.

Reengineering the museum's role in the tourism value chain: towards an IT business model.

Abstract: At the beginning of the 21st century, museums find themselves struggling to maintain audience in competition with an increasing number of leisure and cultural attractions. Their traditional mission is leaving room to a strategic approach in which conservation and marketing harmonize to create new cultural experiences that appeal to leisure consumers and attract sponsors. The electronic management of contents, reference communities, and distribution channels offers valuable insights and solutions to these institutions. This article outlines the competitive responses that can be adopted by online museums, discusses the reengineering of their role in the tourism market, and proposes a prototype of a multimedia portal aimed at creating valuable synergies between cultural and tourist services.

Information technology in the hospitality industry: the Israeli scene and beyond.

Abstract: IP: 188.72.126.40 On: Sun, 27 Nov 2016 16:46:29 Article(s) and/or figure(s) cannot be used for resale. Please use proper citation format when citing this article including the DOI, publisher reference, volume number and page location. Information Technology & Tourism, Vol. 4 pp. 41–64 1098-3058/01 $20.00 + .00 Printed in the USA. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2001 Cognizant Comm. Corp. www.cognizantcommunication.com

Online opportunities and challenges for indigenous cultural tourism in Australia

Abstract: Tourism is seen as an industry that has the potential to provide sustainable economic foundations for indigenous communities in Australia. This article identifies online technology as contributing to the capacity for indigenous communities to access the benefits of tourism. Indigenous communities engaged in tourism can utilize the Internet to supply the tourism product as well as deliver much needed cultural support messages around the product in both domestic and international markets. However, limited skills, costs, and physical access barriers have made it difficult for indigenous communities to effectively use online technologies to benefit from the opportunities. This article examines the context of indigenous tourism in Australia as a prelude to a discussion of the issues relating to Australian indigenous tourism going online; it also provides an overview of how the Tourism dotcom initiative has approached the task of developing capacity among indigenous cultural tourism suppliers.

Acceptance of technology by texas museums: an application of learning curve

Abstract: There are over 3100 museums in the United States. Of these, around 320 are in Texas. These museums represent a cross section of American cultural values and contribute a great deal to attract visitors internationally and domestically. They are also used as a tool of educating the public through various activities. Since 1994 an increasing number of Texas museums have been connected to the Internet and are becoming members of the global marketplace. However, there are many museums that lack the tools and expertise to participate in the digital revolution. The objective of this exploratory research is to investigate the speed of acceptance of new technology, specifically the Internet, by Texas museums. The theoretical framework is related to the application of a learning curve. As in many industrial and service organizations, learning facilitates the acceptance of new techniques. According to the proponents of a learning curve, learning rapidly increases in the first periods but the later periods typically show a leveling of the speed of acceptance. In order to achieve the objective of this research a random stratified sample of Texas museums was taken and a questionnaire was sent to test several hypotheses related to the acceptance of new technology, including barriers to enter the global market. The results indicate that acceptance of new technology by Texas museums is in line with a typical learning curve. However, many obstacles, including resource availability and lack of a niche in the marketplace, hinder further development. There are also two important factors that affect the acceptance. One of them is the unparalleled population growth in or around the large metropolitan areas like Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. The second is related to the dramatic change in the cultural fabric of Texas due to immigration, mainly from Mexico. Future research on technological acceptance should take into account these structural changes and wider use of the Spanish language in Texas.