The Influence of Technology in the Travel and Tourism Sector: A Comprehensive Analysis

TASK 1
1.1 FORMULATE AND RECORD POSSIBLE RESEARCH PROJECT OUTLINE
SPECIFICATIONS
RESEARCH TITLE
‘The influence of technology in the travel and tourism sector’
INTRODUCTION
The introduction of digital technologies has completely changed the traditional way of
functioning of tour operating companies. With a large number of people using online facilities
to gather information regarding tourist destinations and using online facilities to book the
tickets online, the companies are developing online portals and dedicated mobile apps so this
growing demand of using digital mediums for booking holidays can be satisfied. The digital
technology also plays an important role in the decision-making process of the customers while
choosing a holiday destination. The first step to plan a holiday is to Google the details of the
tourist place and gather all the useful information about a particular tourist destination. The
websites of tour operator companies are also used for this purpose, attractive discount offers
and the beautiful pictures of the tourist destination on the website and e-brochures of the
company attract the tourist to purchase the holiday package. Travel blogs are also getting
popular these days where tourist shares their experiences regarding good and bad experiences
at the tourist destination. These travel blogs are read by millions of people daily and they
influence the decision making of the customers. The booking of tickets has also become
convenient and customers can book the holiday packages on their mobile phones. At social
media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and my space people post beautiful pictures of their
holidays which encourage people to visit those beautiful places with their friends and family.
This unit is prepared with an aim to study the influence of technology in travel and tourism
sector. The tourism sector is growing at a fast pace and at present; it is providing 1 out of 10
jobs on the planet. This growth is accelerated with the help of digital technologies. New
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applications on the mobile and the extensive use of social media are producing new business
models for the tourism industry. Before taking the buying decision the customers like to search
the complete details of the tourist destination on different travel websites and independent
blogs. The influence of these digital technologies is so strong that the tour operating companies
have to design new digital technology enabled systems to tap this huge market. The primary
purpose of this report is to identify different tools used by customers to gather information
regarding a holiday package and devise ways in which these tools can be used to increase the
profitability of the tour operating companies by providing easy and reliable access to
information and facilities to book the tickets online.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
To conduct the research for assessing the use of technology in travel and tourism sector, some
questions are asked with the customers and the professionals related with travel and tourism
industry, these questions are related with the use of technology by the users to plan and book a
holiday. Below given are some questions which are asked during the research.
 Which social media platform do you use to gather information regarding tourist
destination?
 Do you use online booking facilities for booking a holiday?
 Advantages and disadvantages of booking a holiday online?
AIM OF THE RESEARCH
The primary aim of this research project is to examine the influence of technology on the travel
and tourism sector. The research will be conducted by studying different journal and online
articles regarding the use of digital technology in travel and tourism. The travel and tourism
sector has registered high growth in the recent years due to the use of digital technologies
related to booking tickets online and modern mediums of transportation due to which
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travelling to distant places has become convenient. Social media platforms are helping tourists
to explore new places and share their experiences with a large number of people. Pictures of
beautiful landscape and fun activities motivate people to explore new places.
OBJECTIVES
 Analysing the buying behaviour of the customers and finding out the factors which
influence their decision making
 Examining the impact of digital communication tools on the growth of travel and
tourism industry.
 To determine the level up to which the use of social media, blogs and online reviews
influence the decision making of the customers.
 To evaluate the impact of websites, e-brochures and digital marketing efforts of the tour
operating companies on the buying behaviour of customers.
1.2 IDENTIFY THE FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROCESS OF
RESEARCH PROJECT SELECTION
SELECTION OF THE PROJECT
The topic selected for the present research in the role of digital technologies in the tourism
industry and how it is contributing to the growth of the industry. Tourism is one of the main
sources of revenue in various economies of the world and the use of technological innovations
related to the internet has revolutionized this industry and has created new employment
opportunities for the population. The project will analyse the influence of these technologies on
the buying behaviour of the customer.
DATA COLLECTION
Data collection methods provide reliable data regarding the opinion of the customers and the
current trend in the market. Two types of datacollection methods are going to be used in this
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