A Seperate Peace- Genes Growing Discontent with Finny
The exciting relationship between Information Technology and Tourism, information and communication systems embedded in a global net have profound influence on the travel and tourism industry. Reservation systems, distributed multi-media systems, highly mobile working places, electronic markets, and the dominant position of tourism applications in the Internet as well as the use of these in scholarly tourism research are noticeable results of this development (http://search390. ... According to Inkpen (1998) two factors characterise tourism, information and marketing. ... It can store information extremely efficiently which means that information management is easier and less costly. Marketing relies on information in the first instance to identify potential consumers, establish the need for new products and project future income streams (Inkpen, 1998, p30). ITs revolution, has profound implications for the tourism industry management, mainly by enabling efficient co-operation and offering tools for a real globalization. ITs have undoubtedly become one of the most important elements of the tourism industry as in few other economic activities, the generation, gathering, processing, application and communication of information as important for day-to-day operations (Poon, 1993). IT (information technology) is a term that encompasses all forms of technology used to create, store, exchange, and use information in its various forms (business data, voice conversations, still images, motion pictures, multimedia presentations, and other forms, including those not yet conceived). Its a convenient term for including both telephony and computer technology in the same word. It is the technology that is driving what has often been called “the information revolution” (http://search390. ... Poon (1993) defines ITs as “the collective term given to the most recent developments in the mode (electronic) and the mechanisms (computers and communications technologies) used for the acquisition, processing, analysis, storage, retrieval, dissemination, and application of information” (Cooper et al, 1998, p424). Tourism Management is not simply confined to supervision within the tourism and hospitality setting, but is closely involved with all the major functions, processes and procedures that are practiced and performed by the various areas associated within the tourism industry as a whole. The tourism destination is the main focus of tourism management. The future of tourism management will depend on how well the National Tourism Offices (NTO) or Destination Management Organisation (DMO) utilises the ITs more efficiently to aid in their many functions. This is very important in managing tourism supply and demand. As the tourism industry market matures, heightened competition will force enterprises both to identify and to utilize modern methods of management. Information is a major facilitator in this aspect. ... Information technology is pivotal for tourism demand. As the volume of tourism demand has grown worldwide and the demands of tourists have become increasingly sophisticated, a new reliance on electronic media by consumers, suppliers and intermediaries has emerged. In an ever-more competitive marketplace, success for tourism enterprises will depend upon their ability to identify customer needs and to offer tailor-made products to satisfy those requirements instantly (Cooper et al, p346). Information technology enables travelers to access reliable and accurate information and undertake reservations in a fraction of the time, cost and inconvenience required by conventional methods. Information technology in tourism supply looks at the production, marketing, operational and distribution functions of both the private and public sectors (Cooper et al, 1998, p346). The development of computerized systems has provided the ability to handle inventory more efficiently and to perform business functions more effectively and productively The ability of tourism enterprises to communicate efficiently with remote branches, destinations, principals and agencies has also resulted in more effective operational control.