The Role of Information and Communications Technology in Tourism - Coursework Example

THE ROLE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY IN TOURISM AND BUSINESS EVENTS By Business The of the School (University) The City and State Where It Is Located The Date Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 The Role of Information and Communications Technology in Tourism 3 Security, Mobile Payments and Communication 4 The Role of Information and Communications Technology in Business Events 8 Generation of Alternative Fuel 8 Discovery of Devices 9 Increased Awareness 9 Conclusion 10 List of References 11 THE ROLE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY IN TOURISM AND BUSINESS EVENTS Introduction Technology is a section of knowledge concerned with the innovation and use of ideas and their correlation to the environment and people. The advancement in technology is a creative endeavor over time. Information, communication and technology help in the initiation of value-chain analysis in the tourism sector. The ICT also helps in the integration of systems globally. This enables the tourists to have easy access in their operations. This technology enhances the competitiveness of the tourism participants especially in the aspect networking. Clustering is also enabled by the ICT sophistication. Information and communications is essential in diverse ways in tourism and business events. The Role of Information and Communications Technology in Tourism The diversity of tourist needs is satisfied through the alliance of various stakeholders. These alliances are effected through ICT. Information technology has also enhanced the integration the connectivity of communication system. This includes the use of technological devices like iPods, Facebook and mobiles. According to Rogers (2013, 75), visual presentations of tourism products are effected through ICT. This enhances information exchange between the customers, and the tourism service providers. The presentation of tourism through visual display units makes tourism appealing to potential tourist. This leads to absorption of many people in the tourism business across the globe. These systems help in the identification of new tourism location sites. This helps in the progression of tourism to wide and diverse areas across the globe. The tourism agencies’ competitive edge is improved through the use of ICT to customize the tourism products and services in the tourism industry. Information technology helps in the reduction of costs, especially in the areas of resource management. This is ensured within the internal environment. The performance of agencies, especially in the external environment is wholly dependent on the dissemination of information. Additionally, the placement of tourism products and services is enabled by information, communication and technology. The engagement of other stakeholders in the tourism is crucial in the development for the tourism industry. In this respect, it is important to apply ICT in the related sectors, especially in the micro-enterprises. These fields boost the development of the tourism industry. In this respect, ICT has enabled access to small entities, which help in the boosting of the tourism industry. Tourism is enhanced by globalization, which is a major factor in the development and advancement of tourism. Globalization helps in the spatial and temporal convergence in tourism. Security, Mobile Payments and Communication The installation of the state-of-the-art technology systems like the surveillance CCTV, cameras in strategic points in order to reduce instances of street mugging and robberies in tourist attractions. Virtual systems also enhance the tourism business across the globe. According to Holloway and Humphreys (2012, 49), the infrastructural development enhances communication. This is made easy all the time in order for the police to have an easier time in patrolling the tourist sites. Mobile payment processing technology enhances tourism and business events. This is a revolutionary measure in the tourism industry. Many of the tourists and business people involved in the business of transacting and processing of payments have had difficulties of a logistical nature for a long time. The advent of the mobile payment system has encouraged tourism because of the efficiency associated with it. This mode of payment will boost the payment processing hence enhancing quick and prompt transacting in business transactions. Mobile payment processing requires compliance to the payment card industry data security standards. These standards provide the tourists and other traders with a clear guidance on the payment process. Davidson and Cope (2003, 41) assert that this kind of payment is very complex, hence it is plausible for a tourism agency to indulge in it when this technology is inevitably required. In addition, there are risks associated with the interlinking of card payments through mobile devices. The Mobile payment processing entails the use of credit cards on the mobile devices to effect payments with regard to various business transactions. In this form of payment processing, a tourist handheld devices such as tablets and iPads can be used to effect payments. These devices can only serve as mobile payment processing devices when they have access to clear text data. In fact, the tourists have the choice of providing their own mobile devices to effect payment. This has created efficiency and effectiveness in the payment processing due to the fact that the consumer traffic is eliminated and there is personal responsibility in case of any hitch in the payment processing. However, the scenario of a tourist bringing his own device for payment processing at the merchant business location has got its challenges. For instance, the merchant cannot manage to take control of the configuration of the client device. This enhances the tourist’s service delivery and it can culminate in craftiness and fraud among clients. The payment card industry data security standards help in guiding the payment processes when the merchant has his own mobile device to serve customers. The standards ought to be complied with in order to avoid any inconvenience and probable fraud in the course of effecting of payment processing. This implies that the standards do not cover any eventuality pertaining to the mobile device ownership by the customers. In this regard, tourists must be very cautious and diligent while making payment processing. This entails analyzing the payment processes and verifying identity of various cards presented by the clients. The point of sale payment processing is the only scenario which applies with regard to the payment card industry data security standards. Sparck that squares mobile card reader technology is covered by the data security standards (28). The application of the mobile payment processing technology can only be successful when there is transaction security, application security and the mobile device security. There must be prevention of the customer account data from interception during the processing of payment. There must be prevention of data from interception while it is being transmitted from the mobile payment device. This is usually ensured through the use of strong encryption codes for effecting of payment transactions. The merchants usually protect the tourist’s account data through limitation of physical access to the device during transacting time. In fact, this is affected through the use of one-on-one service delivery at the point-of-sale. This technological application is protected from viruses, which destroy the tourist’s payment data. For instance, the creation of, malwares, spams, Trojan and recycler computer viruses have led to massive destruction of vital documents online. This has also resulted in a total breakdown of some systems where no backup of documents exists. This implies that the merchants must also ensure that the systems are free of viruses in order to ensure customer information is safe and can be retrieved on an ad hoc basis. The rate at which mobile payment processing technology method is being introduced into the market is higher than the response time for the subjects. The Mobile payment processing technology perfectly applies in the tourism industry, which use it from payment processing. This system fits in tourism agencies, which usually have many tourism customers who overwhelm the banking halls. This calls for the need for point of sale transacting. The point-of-sale entirely applies the mobile payment processing technology. In this regard, many tourists are able to access the payment processing service at their own convenience. This system is controlled from a central place in the head office of the various organizations that apply this system. This is done in order to boost security of the tourist’ account details and ease of operation. However, the main challenge for the point-of-sale vendors is the security of the various mobile devices used for customer service. This is a risk which must be prevented in advance given that the theft of the mobile device spells doom for the whole tourism industry and its customers. Therefore, the vendors will ensure the security of these devices by locking them inside steel-made cabinets when they are not being operated. In addition, closed circuit cameras can also be installed in order to ensure that this mobile payment processing technology is productive for the customers. The authentication of the mobile device for payment processing, must be strong in order to limit access to the customer details. This will ensure the security of the customer credit card details. According Kevin (2003, 37), authentication can also be applied to ensure that the tourism account information security is guaranteed. The mobile payment processing technology is usually a success given that a tourist’s ability to apply common-sense interpretation of the payment card industry data security standards. This enhances the compliance to the requirements of the standards, hence boosting of this technological application. According to Moutinho (2000, 73), this technological application will be enhanced through mutual cooperation of the point of sale vendors and the tourists. This will ensure that fraud rates with regard to the mobile payment processing, are minimized. The service providers also play a pivotal role in ensuring that the mobile payment processing technology is successful. These service providers avail strong encryption to ensure safety of tourist information. Sigala (2012, 1230), claims that the digitization of payment processes has made great strides in the payment processing industry. This has compelled many tourism firms to keep abreast with this technological development. Mobile payment processing technology incorporates the payment processing intermediaries, who enhance the payment processing through the use of online platform rather than the use of debit cards and credit cards. These intermediaries include PayPal and wire transfer methods of payment processing. However, the online platform has called for additional costs for the client like fraud protection fees. Virtual currency has become relevant in the advent of application of mobile payment processing technology through online payment processing. All developments manifest in the world today are because of the aspect technology. The origin of technology is based on the development of the human brain. The aspect of curiosity also contributed to the novelty of the development of technology. Technology has caused revolutions in the tourism industry. The Role of Information and Communications Technology in Business Events Technological advancements enhance tourism and other forms of business activities. Technology has led to many discoveries in various industries. This has enhanced the expansion of tourism projects given sufficient expertise on the accomplishment of the projects. According to Shanker (2010, 56), advancement in technology has led to the use of computers, which have helped in tourism customization. The computer helps tourist agencies to meet clients online because of virtual systems. The introduction of CCTV cameras has led to declining in crime rates and anarchy in the tourism industry. The closed- circuit systems control the rate of crime in many tourism sites. According to Tsiotsou and Goldsmith (2012, 59), human knowledge is enhanced by technological exploration. This helps in an appropriate response to the information discovered in the course of carrying out tourism explorations. Technological advancement enhances human power within the tourism industry. Knowledge helps in accomplishment of tasks. Knowledge power can propel a society to great heights. Generation of Alternative Fuel Technology has also helped in the generation of cheap sources of fuel in the tourism industry. For instance, the wind energy is a novel idea, which has revolutionized the energy sector. The creation of nuclear energy has also helped in provision of fuel to millions of people especially the residents of the Arab countries. According to Wang and Pizam (2011, 71), technology has also led to the use of bio-fuel instead of the common sources of fuel within the tourism industry. This has resulted in recycling of waste, which is a form of preserving the environment. The development of software is a great step towards achieving the technological objectives in society. For instance, the development of anti-virus software helps many cyber users to recover vital documents in cases of virus infection. Discovery of Devices Additionally, technological explorations have led to the discovery of sophisticated devices to monitor the advancement of tourism. This has helped in the detection of variances. Animal husbandry is also a contribution of technology. Hall (2011, 53) asserts that technology has led to the advent of the use of customized phones and iPod’s. The games in computers also serve as therapy for exhaustion. Additionally, technology has helped in the safeguarding of tourism agency confidential documents through the installation of sophisticated software. The agencies are also able to safeguard insider information, which is vital for competition in the market. Enlightening of the public through the use of iPods is eventful than the use of chalkboards. This makes the children embrace technology at a tender age. In this respect, the public is able to learn about many products of tourism. This fosters novelty in accomplishments of different forms of tasks. Increased Awareness According to Das Gupta (2011, 60), technology enhances proper awareness of tourism products. This is because of the introduction of word documenting in schools, which has phased out the use of notebooks. This method is important because it is lively and exciting because of the use of computer machines. Technology has also boosted the tourism industry. YouTube has enabled the sale of many tourism adverts. YouTube is also a major source of tourism documentaries and crucial programs. These programs are inspiring and enlightening to people. This is an indication of the extent technology has positively impacted on the tourism industry. Virtual systems have reduced the world to a small village because people can virtually interact freely with each other. Technology has changed many things in the tourism industry. This includes learning, medication, arsenals, music, agriculture, information technology and security. According to Bladen (2012, 45), virtual systems and word documenting have improved the advertisement of tourism products and services. Application of immune-prophylaxis and immune-diagnosis has helped in treating many diseases. The application of nuclear energy in production processes is a technological feat. Musicians have benefited from YouTube in the advertising their tracks. Agriculturalists also have benefitted from husbandry methods. The advent of CCTV cameras has also resulted in reduction of crime rates. Software creation is another technological feat, which has protected sensitive information of many enterprises. Conclusion Information, communication and technology enhance reduction in the dissemination of information and the movement of people. Tourism is also anchored on internet connectivity. This implies that a sophisticated infrastructure of internet connectivity is crucial given that it helps in the harnessing of resources in the advancement of tourism. This is done through the advertisement of tourism products and services. Additionally, tourism agents utilize this platform to obtain many tourists across the world because of the comprehensiveness of the internet. List of References Bladen, C., et al, (2012), Events Management – An Introduction, Routledge, Oxon. Das Gupta, D., (2011), Tourism marketing. New Delhi: Pearson. Davidson, R. and Cope, B., (2003), Business Travel: Conferences, Incentive Travel, Exhibitions, Corporate Hospitality and Corporate Travel. New York: Pearson Education. Hall, D. R., Kirkpatrick, I., & Mitchell, M., (2011), Rural tourism and sustainable business. London: Channel View Publications. Holloway J. C and Humphreys, C., (2012), The Business of Tourism, 9th edition. New York: Pearson Education. Kevin J. Stiroh, (2003), Economic Impacts of Information Technology. New York: SAGE. Moutinho, L., (2000), Strategic Management in Tourism. London: CABI Publishing. Rogers, T., (2013), Conferences and Conventions: a global industry. Butterworth Heinemann. Shanker, D., (2010), ICT and Tourism: Challenges and Opportunities, Proceedings of the International Conference on Tourism in India–Challenges Ahead”. Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode; pp. 50-58. Sigala, M., (2012), The information and communication technologies productivity impact on the UK hotel sector. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 23. No.10; pp. 1224 – 1245. Tsiotsou, R. H., & Goldsmith, R. E., (2012), Strategic marketing in tourism services, Bingley, Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Wang, Y., & Pizam, A., (2011), Destination marketing and Management Theories And Applications. Wallingford: Oxfordshire, CABI. Read More