INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) IN TOURISM

There has been a drastic change in the management of tourism because of the emergence of Information Technology. There was a time when tourists required the assistance of travel agents, books, phone calls, and other documentation to arrange for their travel plans. With the arrival of digital technologies, tourists can do research about places, book hotels and other services, get information and make payments with the aid of computers and smartphones. Information Technology has had an immense impact on the tourism industry because it has become an integral part of the tourism ecosystem. Not only has Information Technology affected the way tourists travel but also the working procedure and mode of communication of tourism businesses.

Information Technology is defined as the use of technologies for the creation, storage, management and sharing of information.

In the tourism industry, Information Technology includes

• Websites

• Mobile apps

• Online booking systems

• Digital payment methods

• GPS

• Digital maps

• Social media

• Online reviews

These technologies help in the exchange of information between tourists, hotels, airlines, travel agents and other tourism organizations. The person who wishes to go on a holiday can search and book for the best deals of his/her choice, select the most suitable hotel and gather information from his comfort zone, instead of making a visit to a travel counter. Likewise, the tourism business organizations can connect with tourists from all around the world and manage their information effectively.

Information Technology can be also used in managing the tourism activities. For instance, the Tourism Information Management System (TIMS) that is being operated by the Maldives Ministry of Tourism and developed by the National Centre for Information Technology. TIMS connects the Maldives Ministry of Tourism with tourism businesses. Allows sharing and management of tourism data in electronic format.

Another aspect of the role of the Information Technologies in the development of tourism is marketing. People often find out about the Maldives through media platforms, such as

•          Instagram

•          YouTube

•          TikTok

•          Travel blogs and online reviews.

Scenic views of the white-sand beaches, water and marine life are easily marketable and can be shared through photos and videos. Tourism companies can use these media platforms to reach people from different countries and show them what their vacation might look like. According to the Maldives Visitor Survey, 83% of tourists were sharing their experiences on media showing the importance of media in promoting the Maldives as a vacation spot.

Behind the scenes, Information Technology is necessary in managing the tourism industry. Maldives Ministry of Tourism has created Tourism Information Management System (TIMS) together with National Centre for Information Technology. This system enables communication between tourism companies and the government. It helps to transfer and manage all of the tourism-related information electronically. It facilitates updating the government about the current state of the tourism industry and using an electronic way instead of a paper-based and manual one.

Those are some examples showing how Information Technology is integrated into tourism in the Maldives. Tourists can search for their desired vacation destination online, compare it with others, book the resort, pay for it, organize transportation and share the experience on different online platforms. In addition to that, systems such as TIMS enable tourism companies to manage information and communicate better. Technology has become an integral part of tourism experience both for tourists and tourism companies.

Conclusion

Online booking systems, mobile apps, digital payments and navigation by means of GPS have made travelling easier and more accessible. At the same time, tourism companies are able to use digital tools for better management of reservations and communication with tourists. Nevertheless, the increase in the use of Information Technology raises several problems. Firstly, the booking and payment details are in the possession of tourism businesses and can cause problems regarding cybersecurity and privacy. I am also worried about the possible impact of technological malfunction and problems with connectivity on the work of tourism services.

These problems can be solved through proper planning and using of Information Technology in the right way. The tourism organizations should be prepared in terms of cybersecurity, regular updating of their systems and following the data protection regulations. It is important to provide backup systems or offline systems in case of a malfunction of the technology.

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