ICT's Role in Modern Travel Agency Business: A 2018 Perspective

This assignment explores the significant impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the operations of travel agencies. It highlights how ICT has revolutionized the travel industry, enabling agencies to expand their markets globally and enhance customer satisfaction. The paper delves into specific technologies like computer reservation systems and global distribution systems, emphasizing their role in streamlining day-to-day operations and improving flexibility. It also addresses the challenges faced by travel agencies in adapting to customers' increased access to information and price comparison tools through the internet. The author substantiates the claims with references to similar cases, underscoring the importance of innovation and advanced service provision to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving technological landscape. The conclusion emphasizes the positive effects of ICT on travel agencies, making their operations more efficient and customer-centric.

Running head: Travel Agency-ICT Management Issues
Travel Agency-ICT Management Issues

Travel Agency-ICT Management Issues 1
In recent times the world has gone through some drastic changes in the world. These
changes had a huge impact on social and economic structure. ICT opens a lot of opportunities
in the market. Lot of developments has come in Travel & Tourism. Many travel agencies that
are limited to local markets developed their businesses globally. The technology changed the
day-to-day business of the travel agencies. Travel Agencies competiveness level has been
increased due to ICT. New technologies benefitted in the way that it made easy to transform
information.
Travel agencies are currently fastest growing industries around the world. ICT has a
huge impact on travel industry as it given a platform to the travel agencies to make its market
globally. Due to fast internet, the information can easily send from one place to another.
Through internet, the booking of a trip for travel agencies became easier. It helped companies
to improve its customer satisfaction. ICT has gradually changed the tourism industry from
traditional tourism industry to new tourism industry. This gradual change is the challenge for
the travel agency as now customer is well informed through internet. Customer these days
has the knowledge of prices as the access to internet is open to all (Avgerou, 2010). They
compare prices on the internet and even they book the trip itself. To face this challenge and to
deal with modern world customers it is necessary to know the customer knowledge and
requirements. Travel agencies in this changing technology have to change them accordingly
and to provide better services. The services provided should be more advanced than the
customer knowledge.
The progress in the world of technology due to that it has made travel agencies more
innovative as before. There are things, which has generated in an organisational structure that
are computer reserve system, global distribution system and the internet. Through this
system, the day-to-day working of travel agencies has changed. It has given more flexibility
to the travel agencies to work. In this dynamic world, it is necessary to innovative to maintain
its stability in the market. The usage of technology can be positive or negative (Bethapudi,
2013). If it is used in an effective way than it can change the companies and it can greatly
effect to a company market share.
In conclusion, it is clear that information and communication technology has changed
social and economic market. The transformation of information from one place to another
became very easy. Customers becomes very smart with this new technology has access to all.
This transformation also made necessary for the travel agencies to get more advanced than

Travel Agency-ICT Management Issues 2
before. There are things that has generated in an organisational structure, which are internet,
global distribution and the computer reserve system. The day to day operations of travel
agencies became more flexible. In last it can be concluded that the ICT implication has the
positive effect on the travel agencies compare to negative implications.

Travel Agency-ICT Management Issues 3
References
Bethapudi, A. (2013). The role of ICT in tourism industry. Journal of Applied Economics and
Business, 1(4), 67-79.
Avgerou, C. (2010). Discourses on ICT and development. Information Technologies &
International Development, 6(3), pp-1.