Write a detailed essay on significance of e‐business in tourism.?

In the digital age, e-business has become an integral part of the tourism
industry, transforming the way travel businesses operate and
revolutionizing the way tourists plan, book and experience their trips.
E-business, which refers to the use of electronic technologies to
conduct business activities, has opened up new avenues for tourism
businesses to reach out to their customers and has provided a platform
for tourists to access information and services related to their travel
plans.

E-business has made it easier for tourists to plan their trips by providing
them with a wealth of information about destinations, attractions,
accommodations, and transportation options. One of the important
benefit of e-business is the transparency it provides in terms of pricing
and availability. Travelers can compare prices across multiple
platforms and make informed decisions based on their budgets and
preferences. Tourists can now access this information through a variety
of online channels, such as travel websites, social media platforms, and
mobile applications. This has not only made it easier for tourists to plan
their trips, but it has also enabled them to make more informed
decisions about their travel plans, resulting in a better overall travel
experience.
The emergence of e-commerce has created a new business model
particularly important aspect of this is the new business paradigm which
impact on marketing channels. E-commerce business is particularly
powerful in the service industry, including tourism where internet has
steadily gained popularity during the past two decades. E-business has
provided tourism businesses with new ways to reach out to their
customers and market their products and services. Through online
advertising, social media marketing, and search engine optimization,
tourism businesses can target their desired audiences more effectively
and generate higher levels of traffic and sales. This has enabled tourism
businesses to expand their reach and increase their revenues, while at
the same time providing tourists with more options and better prices.

Furthermore, e-business has facilitated the booking process for tourists

by providing them with online booking platforms that allow them to
make reservations for flights, accommodations, tours, and other travel-
related services. This has eliminated the need for tourists to visit
physical offices or call travel agencies to make bookings, which has
resulted in significant time savings and convenience. For tourism
businesses, online booking platforms have provided a way to automate
their booking processes and streamline their operations, resulting in
increased efficiency and cost savings.
One significant aspect of e-business in tourism is the ability to offer
personalized experiences to customers. E-business has enabled tourism
businesses to collect and analyse data about their customers, which has
helped them to better understand their customers’ preferences and
behaviours. This has enabled tourism businesses to tailor their products
and services to meet the needs of individual travellers. This not only
enhances customer satisfaction but also increases loyalty and repeat
business. Data analytics has also helped tourism businesses to identify
trends and opportunities in the market, which has enabled them to stay
competitive and adapt to changing market conditions.

E-business has opened up new opportunities for tourism businesses to

innovate and differentiate themselves from their competitors. By
leveraging new technologies, such as virtual reality, augmented reality,
and artificial intelligence, tourism businesses can create unique and
immersive travel experiences that appeal to a new generation of
travellers. This has not only created new revenue streams for tourism
businesses but has also contributed to the growth and evolution of the
tourism industry as a whole.
In conclusion, e-business has had a profound impact on the tourism
industry by improving efficiency, personalization, `transparency, and
accessibility. E-business transforming the way travel businesses
operate and revolutionizing the way tourists plan, book and experience
their trips. By providing a wealth of information, facilitating bookings,
enabling data analytics, and opening up new opportunities for
innovation, e-business has helped tourism businesses to reach new
heights and has provided tourists with more options and better
experiences. As the tourism industry continues to evolve and grow, e-
business will undoubtedly play an even greater role in shaping its
future.
Explain use of computer technology in hotels .

Computer technology has become an integral part of the hospitality

industry, particularly in hotels, where it is used to enhance guest
experience, streamline operations, and increase efficiency. Some
common uses of computer technology in hotels include:

1) Computers are used extensively by lodging managers and their

assistants to keep track of guests’ bills, reservations, room
assignments, meetings, and special events. In addition, computers
are used to order food, beverages, and supplies, as well as to
prepare reports for hotel owners and top-level managers. Many
hotels also provide extensive information technology services for their
guests. Managers work with computer specialists and other information
technology specialists to ensure that the hotel’s computer systems,
Internet, and communications networks function properly.

I. Reservation and booking systems: Hotels use computerized

reservation and booking systems to manage their inventory, room
rates, and guest information. This allows guests to easily book
their rooms online, and hotel staff to efficiently manage room
availability, reservations, and payment processing.
 II. Property management systems: Property management systems
(PMS) are computerized systems used by hotels to manage front-
office operations, including guest check-in and check-out, room
assignments, and billing. PMS systems can also track guest
preferences and history to personalize the guest experience.
III. Point of sale systems: Hotels use point of sale (POS) systems to
manage their restaurant, bar, and gift shop sales. These systems
help track inventory, manage pricing and discounts, and generate
sales reports.
IV. Guest communication: Hotels use computer technology to
communicate with guests through various channels, including
email, text messaging, and mobile apps. This allows hotels to
send automated messages to guests about their stay, offer
promotions, and solicit feedback.
V. Energy management systems: Hotels use energy management
systems to control lighting, temperature, and other energy-
consuming devices in guest rooms and common areas. This helps
reduce energy costs and environmental impact.
VI. Security systems: Hotels use computerized security systems,
including surveillance cameras and access control systems, to
ensure the safety and security of their guests and staff.
2) There are many different uses for computers in hotels. The first
would be at the front desk. These computers have an intricate software
called the Property Management System (PMS) to do all the check ins,
guest accounting, and etc. The most famous being Opera or Sabre.
Second in the restaurant, lounge, or bar is a new computer entirely
called a Point of Sale System (POS). This will collaborate with a PMS
to bill guests for a meal and etc, but can also be used as a cash register.
Third is the computer in the sales office, which software is most likely
Delphi which is a booking terminal.
Nowadays hotel without a computer is like a bank without a vault. Each
automated hotel has its own PMS like, IDS, CLS, HMS, Fidelio etc.
These PMS are used by the each departments from beginning till end
of a guest cycle. The PMS is also used to prepare different reports,
maintaining guest’s a/c , keeping records, F.O., Back Office, point of
sale, door locking, H.K., Optimization, Pay-Tv, energy management,
payment card authorization and channel management systems. Each
hotel personnel has their own log in ID to open their respective PMS
window. The PMS may interface with central reservation system(CRS)
and revenue or yield management system.

Overall, the use of computer technology in hotels has improved guest

experience, increased operational efficiency, and reduced costs. As
technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more innovative
uses of computer technology in the hospitality industry.