– Online Travel Agencies:
– Booking engines enable easy access for consumers and travel professionals.
– Online agencies like expedia.com have transformed the travel industry through technology.
– These agencies assist users in planning and booking trips, comparing hotels, flights, and vacation packages.
– They provide a centralized platform for price comparisons and reservations.
– The shift to online agencies empowers customers in trip planning.
– Customer Reviews:
– Review websites, such as tripadvisor.com, significantly impact the tourism industry.
– Users can read, post, and engage with reviews on travel experiences and attractions.
– Electronic Word of Mouth (eWOM) influences consumer attitudes and decisions.
– Reviews play a key role in product choices and travel planning.
– User-generated content shapes consumer perceptions and behaviors.
– Social Media and Mobile Technologies:
– Smartphones and mobile apps have revolutionized the tourism sector.
– Social media offers unbiased information for users.
– GPS and social media apps allow location tagging and sharing.
– Map apps have replaced printed directions for navigation.
– Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft simplify transportation planning.
– Mobile Communication:
– Modern tour guides are GPS-based, and guidebooks are audio guides.
– Trip planning can be done entirely online.
– The Internet’s widespread use has reshaped the travel industry.
– Technology evolution necessitates continuous adaptation in the travel sector.
– Information technology impacts various business aspects in the industry.
– See Also:
– Global Distribution Systems list.
– Online hotel reservations.
– References for further reading on tourism information technology.
– Notable publications on travel technology and its impact.
– Resources on eTourism and strategic tourism management.
This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2007) |
Travel technology (also called tourism technology, and hospitality automation) is the application of Information Technology (IT) or Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. Some forms of travel technology are flight tracking, pre-travel planning through online travel agencies, and systems that allow tourists to review their experiences.
Travel technology was originally associated with the computer reservations system (CRS) of the airlines industry, but is now used more inclusively, incorporating the broader tourism sector as well as its subset the hospitality industry.