The Future Impact of Media Technologies in Tourism - Essay Example

Thank you for the report I have read through it and most of it seems fine. However, a little bit more information needs to be added on the way tourism will be affected in the next 5 - 10 years, the political, social, economic and human impacts likely to arise from these changes. How a power point is a good way to advertise.... I had included this in the question. I would appreciate it if you could please look into this please. Regards Karen   Running Head: THE FUTURE IMPACT OF MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES IN TOURISM The Future Impact Of Media Technologies In Tourism [Writer’s Name] [Name of Institute] Abstract All through the globe, tourism continues to build up as a noteworthy social and economic commotion. World Tourism Organization figures indicate that receipts from international tourism more than doubled in the decade 1988-97, increasing from US$204 billion to US$444 billion (WTO 1998). International arrivals rise at a slower rate but in complete terms rose from 394 million in 1988 to 613 million in 1997. Less inclusive figures are obtainable for domestic tourism. In some, such as France, domestic holidays continued to increase; elsewhere (for example, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and New Zealand), signs of stagnation or decline were appearing, in part as a consequence of increased outbound tourism. In disparity, domestic tourism was fetching more important in some developing countries as varying values of living destined domestic tour was becoming more reachable to a wider example of society (Chris Cooper, 2001). Countries in Europe and North America are still major sources and others have joined destinations for international tourism but in recent years, especially in Asia and the Pacific. Varying rates of growth have been recorded in these and in other regions of the world, such as Africa and South America. Resorts in some of the latter regions have a relatively long tradition of tourism, such as Bariloche in Argentina. In further places, for instance parts of Africa or a few Pacific islands, tourism is still budding as a figure of expansion. While numbers there may as yet be relatively insignificant on a global scale, they may be of increasing significance locally. As an outcome of these models and procedures, tourism is moreover before now extensively recognized as a key segment of nationwide, regional and local economies in a lot of parts of the world or being aggressively measured or cultivated as an expansion alternative in many others (Jarice Hanson, 1990). The expansion of tourism has been accompanied by a noteworthy increase in media technology and research activities in this field. Tourism programmes connected to media, centres and subdivisions have developed on sites universal, and tourism conferences have propagated and fresh publication on tourism grow rapidly. The Future Impact Of Media Technologies In Tourism Media And Tourism - Introduction Tourism expansion and media expertise correctly scrutinizes, is an expression that includes destinations, beginnings, motivations and contacts, but also the multifaceted connections that survive among the entire people and institutions of that intertwining, global deliverance and requirement system. Tourism progress and media are a cross term, that research in the ground consists of two fundamentally disconnected literatures and that there are only some cases of good research that administer to merge the two domains productively. One cause why scholars may be disillusioned with the union is that both tourism and media be short of personal ideological neutrality, certainly they can on instances turn out to be extremely sensitive political issues and when measured together, either as situation or procedure, they may turn into evenly or even more precious. Such an excellence is probable to draw tourists in the rigors of neutrality and impartiality. An additional, and debatably more considerable, motive is that tourism and media, like the sphere of tourism itself, may still be at a premature stage of theoretical progression (Cooper, 2001). The regions of curiosity of the current discussion, tourism society relationships, is commonly cited in such media technology arrangement and is regularly given precedence standing on the record of global, national and local tourism study agendas. For instance, the World Tourism influential assembling on the Social Impacts of Tourism proposes that countries should, as a foremost main concern, sustain greater participation of communities in the setting up of accomplishment, monitoring and assessment procedures of tourism policies programs and projects with the assistance of hottest media technologies. As the study of tourism develops, it is clear that setting tourism media research agenda is an engaging and frequently repeated activity. Issues such as sustainability and quality are common themes underlying these agenda. One of the challenges for researchers examining these research agenda is how to proceed from these generic directions to the development of insightful and incisive media research. It is proposed that some careful attention to the topic of how to plan agendas and what kinds of agendas to put in question represents a fruitful pathway from the numerous research agenda to actual studies. Third World Countries – Tourism And Media The Third World countries are participating in a media revolution of new, primarily electronic technologies. These technologies may help fight illiteracy, disease, poverty, and other development problems, but they have also created different priorities and issues for these nations. A major issue for developing countries concerns what the media revolution will do to, and for them. Will they foster media abundance, strengthen existing technologies, or enhance neocolonial (dependency) forces? What are their technology options for suitable technopolicies, preparation, and building an incorporated media infrastructure particularly in tourism? Tourism studies span a wide range of issues, but the use of media in tourism has focused much attention on the tools, methods, and impact of messages that create change within a country. For many nations the adoption of Internet, Multimedia, film, soaps, theatres and even to some extent, built in computer programmes such as power point presentations, are considered to open the possible channels of tourism among varied segments of the nation. Countries of the Third World have wrestled with the problems of technology transfer, indigenous production of hardware and software, and bilateral or multilateral negotiations with other nations (developed or developing) to make these technologies operational. The variety of technologies however, has changed for the development of tourism of nations. Technologies that were such easy facilitators of entertainment content (i.e., radio, film, and television) are being added to by either large-scale technologies such as the computer or satellite, and the addition of peripheral media such as videocassette recorders or compact discs have supplemented the functions of the traditional media in tourism. Todays technology often fosters an even more fundamental change within traditional societies, and the verdict whether to accept specific information technology may have instant suggestions for the economy, political construction, or social configuration of a nation. To be a fraction of the "Information Revolution" put forth time, space, and infrastructural forces further than those imagined by established media in tourism. Many scholars and researchers have considered an emerging "intellectual technological tourism society" whose components are information and knowledge. The new theories of the value of products and services based on information and knowledge would be different than the conventional economic values, experiences, and judgments, but although technology has been blamed for many of todays ills, it has also been an important factor in humanizing people, and therefore, indispensable for their survival. In some countries the notion of power in tourism (who has it, who uses it, and who wants it) plays a greater role than in others, but we advocate the position that the availability of technology does not equal social change. It is the patterns of use that concern us, and therefore, we address these problems within cultural contexts, and determine what cultural challenges each nation must face to enhance the impact of media technologies in tourism sector. Media Technologies To Enhance Tourism Media Technologies Conventionally, the expression media technology referred to telephony, radio, and television--all technologies that at single time recommended partial principle and efficacy. These technologies, though old, are still used widely all over the globe to enhance tourism. There is a dire need to make innovations in these media technologies to improve tourism within nations and internationally. Nations can run regular tourist program guides on television to enhance their tourist spots. Toll free telephone numbers must be installed or at cheap costs where tourist can take immediate information including the cost and tourist facilities which they can attain. These days because of long traveling hours from workplace to home or vise versa, people usually switch on their car radios. Here media can run a variety of programs, which are both interesting and create lust for traveling. In these shows people can also talk about various food outlets or a nation’s most famous cuisines so that people can get to know what kind of eating habits other nations have. These programs should be run locally and every nation should adopt such interesting media programs. Information Technology - Telematics Information technology however, is a freely defined term and is identified with a wider variety of communication technologies such as computers, satellites, and "add-ons" to older media forms by means of video- and audio-cassette recorders, video and audio disc machines, and the broader variety of telecommunication technologies that put together larger, more complicated connections such as computer and telephone, telephone and video, and satellite and computer. Telematics, meaning "big media," and are identified with such technologies as computers, telephone, satellites, television, radio, video, and those that rely on large-scale infrastructures. Computers play a vital role in bringing Information Technology and Tourism closer. As we know that every country whether developed or developing have their respective cultural centres where people can have greater access to the information of that particular nation. These nations can easily send information via Internet to any particular person around the globe. This takes lesser time and most convenient way by which every person who has little knowledge of computer and have high intensions to travel can take advantage of. Moreover, nations can build websites where they can give as much information for tourist through Internet. As there are cultural centres for every nation, Multimedia CD’s (compact discs) can be made and can distributed free of cost to any visitor who is willing to travel in that particular nation. Not only this, but also these CD’s can be made available to neighboring countries cultural centres so that neighboring tourist can have easy access to the first information needed. Information Technology – Ethnotronic The second type of technology has been termed ethnotronic, or "small media," such as typewriters, audiocassette recorders, facsimile (FAX) machines, paper copiers, calculators, digital watches, and other more personal types of technologies. These days less innovation can be seen in such kind of technology though audiocassettes are reasonable way to enhance tourism for blind people and who wish to travel. Infact this can be much cheaper way to amplify a nation’s tourism to the globe by distributing these cassettes in various tourist conferences held annually and a lot of countries participate in these. The cassettes can be exchanged and so tourism can be expanded. Print Media Newspapers, magazines, tourist brochures, are cheap and people can be updated with new information. Pamphlets for the proper guide are easily available in every country so approaching to tour a country is not a difficult task at all. These are not only easy to read but for any country there are the cheapest source of letting others know about their own country. Political, Social, Economical and Cultural Impact on Tourism Through Media There has to be a positive relationship between technology and cultural development enriching the cultural resources and respect for cultural diversity. The cultural identity and values of the particular society has much greater impact on tourism. Media technologies become culture specific. They are not universally applicable and must be adapted to the needs of different cultures, and they must be acquired and introduced with a concern for levels and regions with different variations. The most obvious problem with regard to using technology for any purpose is the cost. Large infrastructures require financial commitment for maintenance, yet many of the Third World nations lack the ability to invest in the size and quality of components necessary for global communication (Media & Tourism, Online). This constraint places a heavy burden on development--one that has a significant impact on any and all policies initiated by a government. In some countries, most noticeably in Latin America, the economic constraints have led to some rather unusual financing arrangements among private and public, national and international interests. Another obvious impact is political; the current situation of any country related to their domestic and international affairs doe’s effect the tourism largely. For example, recently we have seen positive ties between two countries Pakistan and India in which media has played a vital role and still it is playing a grave role in bringing closer ties between the two countries. Nevertheless, these two countries were rivals for each other. Now, both countries have come closer due to satellite channels, which are aired in both countries simultaneously. What matters is not abstract potentiality of media technologies but the value that is attributed to them locally. Technology is not "constant" but a political, economic, and cultural acquisition, with short-term and long-term effects and consequences (Cooper, 2001). Tourism And Media – Future Aspects Most important future aspect, which we can foresee, is satellite channels and further innovation through satellite to increase tourism for any nation. The requirements for support of telematic and enthnotronic technologies are not the same for any nation, but they are related. Although many developing nations have placed emphasis on the large-scale infrastructural needs of telematic technologies, the ethnotronic technologies have often introduced change at a greater rate of speed, due to their personal nature, and the lack of infrastructural organization needed to make them work (Tarlow, 2002). Technology itself is important, but without the first three factors; social, economical, political, it would be impossible to situate the technology in its proper context. Along with technological hardware we must include software, which suggests a sometimes very important low-cost alternative to cultural domination and the enhancement of using technology within a cultural context to enhance tourism in future. Tourism In Next Five To Ten Years The world’s economy is now mounting powerfully, with good projection for the next 5 years and further than for tourism. Employment augmented by some 4 million last year, and job-creating monetary growth of 6% or more per year is obviously underway. Media will play a very important role in next coming years for tourism and bringing social, economical and cultural ties between various nations. In my opinion, satellite channels and telecommunication will be the greater area for subjection in future. Information Technology will also play a strong role as nations can take advantages of various Internet links. People can even load power point presentation on Internet for free so that more tourism can get subjection of one’s nation. Few important aspects, which media can bring in tourism in the next five years, are: Socio-economic advancement of areas; Ever-increasing employment prospects; Rising domestic tourism for the budget group; Protecting national heritage and surroundings; Expansion of international tourism; Diversification of the tourism invention; And, boost in total share in world tourism all through next 5 years. Conclusion The profound role of technology on the competitiveness of organizations in the tourism economy, as they claim that globalisation and technology are mutually reinforcing drivers of tourism. In addition asserts that the tourism information revolution obliges enterprises to act local and think global, while transforming dramatically both production and consumption patterns for any nation. The technological revolution since the 1970s has facilitated tourism activity and has enabled consumers to travel further afield at a fraction of the cost and time required earlier on. The proliferation of jet engines, the ubiquitous motor car and new technology vessels and trains have not only reduced money and time required but has also provided the infrastructure for more people to travel (Hanson, 1990). The emerging Internet tools enable tourists to search on-line for information and to undertake reservations. Increasingly, IT and the Internet in particular, enable travellers to access reliable and accurate information as well as to undertake reservations in a fraction of the time, cost and inconvenience required by conventional methods. IT can also improve the service quality and contribute to higher guest/traveller satisfaction. The availability of information on everything conceivable enables consumers to personalise their tourism bundles and to purchase only the most suitable products. The usage of IT on the one hand is driven by both the development of the volume and complexity of tourism demand, and on the other hand it alters their characteristics and enables individuals to select a much more personalised bundle of tourism products (Media & Tourism, Online). Nobody really knows how many consumers are currently connected to the Internet and how many of him or her buy products electronically. It was estimated that 150 million people or 2 per cent of the tourism population used the Internet in the late 1990s. Most Internet users match the profile of the most desirable market segments: they are well-educated professionals who travel frequently and have a higher disposable income, as well as a higher propensity to spend on tourism products. The Internet has revolutionised flexibility in both tourist choice and service delivery processes. Every tourist is different, carrying a unique blend of experiences, motivations and desires often as a result of previous experience, background and social status. Increasingly customers become much more sophisticated and discerning. Tourists become demanding, requesting high quality products and value for both their money and - perhaps more importantly - time. Having experienced several products the new/ experienced/sophisticated/demanding travellers rely heavily on electronic media to seek information about destinations and experiences, as well as to be able to communicate their needs and wishes to suppliers rapidly. Tourists are increasingly frequent travellers, linguistically and technologically skilled and can function in multicultural and demanding environments overseas. The Internet authorized the novel kind of tourist to turn out to be better informed and to look for outstanding worth for money and time (Tarlow, 2002). New tourists are more culturally and environmentally aware and they often would like a greater involvement with the local society. Bibliography Chris Cooper, Salah Wahab; Tourism in the Age of Globalisation, Routledge, London, (2001). Page Number: 293-331. Jarice Hanson, Uma Narula; New Communication Technologies in Developing Countries, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, NJ, (1990). Page Number: 6-154. Media and Tourism: http://www.technologyreview.com/InfoTech/wtr_12603,258,p2.html Media and Tourism: http://www.traveldailynews.com/makeof.asp?central_id=38&permanent_id=12 Media and Tourism: http://www.traveldailynews.com/makeof.asp?central_id=53&permanent_id=12 Media and Tourism: http://www.wttc.org/news110.htm Peter E. Tarlow; Tourism in the Twenty-First Century: Global Terrorism Is Changing the Nature of Travel, but Its Not the Only Factor. An Aging Population, New Technology, and Other Key Trends Will Also Affect the Future of Tourism, The Futurist. Volume: 36. Issue: 5, (September-October 2002). Page Number: 48. Copyright 2002 World Future Society; Copyright 2003 Gale Group. Read More