Influence of Technology and Social Media on the Tourism Sector

Research Project

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
LO 1. Understanding on how to formulate a research specification...............................................5
1.1. Formulate and record possible research project outline specifications................................5
1.2. Identify the factors that contribute to the process of research project selection...................7
1.3. Undertake a critical review of key references......................................................................9
1.4. Produce a research project specification.............................................................................10
1.5. Provide an appropriate plan and procedures for the agreed research specification............12
LO 2. Be able to implement the research project within agreed procedures and to specification.14
2.1. Match resources efficiently to the research question or hypothesis...................................14
2.2. Undertake the proposed research investigation in accordance with the agreed specification
and procedures...........................................................................................................................15
2.3. Record and collate relevant data where appropriate...........................................................18
LO 3. Be able to evaluate the research outcomes..........................................................................19
3.1. Use appropriate ‘research evaluation techniques’. Which types of evaluation (formative or
summative) is more appropriate for your research? Why?........................................................19
3.2. Interpret and analyse the results in terms of the original research specification................21
3.3. Make recommendations and justify areas for further consideration..................................31
LO 4. Be able to present the research outcomes............................................................................32
4.1. Use an agreed format and appropriate media to present the outcomes of the research to an
audience.....................................................................................................................................32

Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................34
References......................................................................................................................................35

Introduction
In today’s time, social media play a very important role in the tourism sector for influencing the
mind of people towards any particular destination. People like to go different places with their
friends, family,and others for relaxation and to make good moments. By using high technology
tourism sector can easily change decision-making process of tourist. With the help of technology
tourism sector can improve their operations and function which influencedecision makingthe
process of tourist. It is highly important for the tourism sector to adopt high technology for
satisfying needs of customers and market in an effective way. This main aim of this study is to
analyse the influence of technology and social media on the behaviour of tourist. Tourism sector
providesgreat holiday packages, hotel, flights and coupons to customers at reasonable prices. The
research study is conducted in the proper way by collecting relevant data and information for the
selected topic of study. This research helps in analysing the importance of social media and
influence of technology onthe tourism sector. In this research, investigator uses various
techniques and methods to carry out a study in a most effective way. To understand research in
appropriate manner researcher take into consideration server facts and aspects that help in
attaining better outcomes.

LO 1. Understanding on how to formulate a research specification
1.1. Formulate and record possible research project outline specifications
Research aim and objective
Aim
The main aim of the study is to examine the influence of technology on tourist behaviour. Also,
to understands the impact of social media to achievehigh growth and success.
Objective
 To analyse the importance of technology in the tourism sector
 To examine the influence of social media on the decision-making process of tourist
 To understand the requirement of social media for promoting a tourist destination
Literature review
According to Ramey (2012) tourismis a most fast growing sector in all over the world which
generates high income by satisfying needs and demand of customers. To enhance profitability it
is essential for tourism companiessuch as Thomas Cook to take help of social media like Twitter,
Facebook,LinkedIn etc through which people get to know lots of new facts and information
about different tourist destination that influence their decision-making process positively and
negatively. Basically social media provide new information to people regarding different tourist
destination through video, audio, images,and text. It is an effective source of communication
through which tourist sectorcan influencedecision process of tourist positively. Every people
have different thoughts and viewpoints towards the place,environment, services etc which can
affect the profitability of the tourism sector. By attracting a huge number of visitors tourism
sector can enhance profitability as well as growth margin in the largecompetitive marketplace.
In the view ofAdhikariand Bhattacharya(2016),Tourism sectorcan build strong strategies and
plan for targeting new customers. With the help of social media,tourismorganisation can spread

right information to tourist which attracts them towards the attractive tour packages,
flights,andcoupons. For example, ifcompany provide 5% discounton flight and hotel booking
then it will influencethe behaviour of touristand they easilyget attracted towardsit. Fortourism
sector,social media is great information as well as a communication platform that help to people
in searchingright tourist destination.
In the Wordsof Carnegie Mellon University (2016),a hugenumber of people areconnected on
social media who get the rightinformation about tourist destination which helps in taking the
rightdecision for selecting one according to their expectation and requirement. Tourism sectorcan
spread information about its holiday packages, flights, hotel coupons and discount services
through the onlinesourceto people which attract them.
Resource implication
Research is the best way which help investigator to understand the selected topic of study. There
are various methods and techniques used by the researcherto attain good outcomes and result. It
is necessary for the investigator to control time as well as cost to analysethe current market
condition and expectation of people in Market. For conducting research in proper way
investigator take help of different methods and resources that provideeffective information about
influences of social media on the decision-making process of tourist. People can select right
tourist destination according to their budget and expectationwith the help of online source. In
today’senvironment,peoplehavea wideoption for the holidaybut it is important for them to select
best tourist destination which fulfills their desire and wants. By taking help of socialmedia they
get to know viewpointsand thoughts of people towards the location who already visit that place.
It will help in taking the rightdecision for selecting best tourist destination.

1.2. Identify the factors that contribute to the process of research project selection
To conduct research in most appropriate and proper manner investigator need various resources.
With the help of this research,the investigator can attain better outcomes and results effectively.
Several factors and elements are needed for the research to attain effective information and data
related tothe selected topic. Investigator can achieve a better result with the help of resources
which are examined as under:
Human resources factors: For collecting right information and data for selected research topic
human resource is the main element that playsa very important role in achieving set goals and
objectives of the study in specific time. Human resources have the various knowledge, skills,and
traits that will help to carry research study in a proper way. It is important for the researcher to
analyse the need of human resource for conducting researchin suitable way to achieveset aims
and objectives of the research. By controlling and managing human resource investigator can
easily attain better outcomes in set time.
Financial factors: This factor also contributes so much in accomplishing set aims and objectives
of the selected study of research. To achieve better result and outcomes it is very much important
for the researcher to set a proper budget so that accordingly they perform the task. In the
research, various activities will be performed for attaining better outcomes which aremanaged by
the investigator to complete research ona set budget (Altinay, et. al., 2015).
Time factors: It is necessary for the investigator to focus on time element for achieving set result
and outcomes effectively for the selected study. For completing selected study it is essential for
the investigator to control time and complete every task ata certain time. It helps in reducing the
unwanted activities so that investigator can complete the important task in right time to attain the
better result. Without controlling the timeit is impossible for the investigator to complete
researchin an effective way and well-plannedmanner. To achievebetter outcomes researcher set
time for overall project work according to which task performed that help in attainingbetter result
as well as outcomes.

Hence, it is the responsibility of the researcher to manage all these resources in a proper way to
achieving better outcomes. It must be planned and organised by the investigator before starting
the selected research study (Hewsonand Stewart, 2016).