Influence of Technology in Future Tourism Development: A Case Study

Desklib provides past papers and solved assignments for students. This research project explores technology's impact on tourism.

Research Project
“Influence of technology in future tourism development- A case study of tourism industry”
1

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................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...............6
1.3 Undertake a critical review of key references.......................................................................7
1.4. Produce a research project specification.............................................................................10
1.5 Provide an appropriate plan and procedures for the agreed research specification.............11
Task 2.............................................................................................................................................12
Introduction................................................................................................................................12
2.1. Match resources efficiently to the research question or hypothesis primary and secondary
...................................................................................................................................................12
2.2. Undertake the proposed research investigation in accordance with the agreed specification
and procedures...........................................................................................................................13
2.3. Record and collate relevant data where appropriate...........................................................16
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................19
Task 3.............................................................................................................................................20
Introduction................................................................................................................................20
3.1. Use appropriate ‘research evaluation techniques’. Which types of evaluation (formative or
summative) is more appropriate for your research? Why?........................................................21
3.2. Interpret and analyse the results regarding the original research specification..................22
3.3. Make recommendations and justify areas for further consideration..................................32
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................33
Task 4.............................................................................................................................................34
2

4.1. Use an agreed format and appropriate media to present the outcomes of the research to an
audience.....................................................................................................................................34
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................37
Reference List................................................................................................................................38
Appendix........................................................................................................................................41
3

Introduction
There has been constant progress in technology due to the advancement of knowledge and
practice. Technology is used in various ways in the travel and tourism sector to ensure the better
experience is provided to the customers. The use of technology in travel and tourism has
facilitated the process and lead to the development of the industry. The assignment helps in
understanding the influence of technology on the tourism industry through a sustained research
analysis that will help in gathering new information and knowledge about the topic. It outlines
the research specifications to evaluate the outcomes of the project effectively.
4

Task 1
1.1 Formulate and record possible research project outline specifications
Background of the project
Technology has helped in improving the business operations of the tourism industry. The use of
different and latest technology allows business organisations to conduct their operations quickly
and accurately resulting in the development of the tourism industry. However, many
organisations are still far from incorporating technology into their everyday operations. Tourism
service providers to get better access to potential customers and make them loyal to the company
have used different technologies. The advent of the internet, Smartphone, laptops, computers
have already improved the customer experience, but it can be further enhanced when tourism
service providers incorporate further new technologies such as augmented reality, geo-based
technology etc. in performing different business operations (Xiang et al., 2015).
Research aim
The research project helps in understanding the influence of technology on the future
development of the tourism industry.
Research objectives
The objectives of the study are listed below:
 To understand the current trends of the tourism industry
 To identify the technologies used by the tourism industry
 To analyse the impact of technology on the tourism industry
 To identify the influence of technology on the future development of the tourism sector
Research Questions
The questions of the research are listed below:
 What is the current trend in the tourism industry?
 What technologies are used by the tourism industry?
 How does technology impact the tourism industry/
 How can technology influence the future development of the tourism industry?
5

1.2 Identify the factors that contribute to the process of research project selection
It is essential to develop the rationale of the research as it helps in understanding the factors that
contribute to the selection of the topic for the research project.
Research Rationale
What is the issue?
There are continuous innovation and development in technologies that are used by various
sectors to improve their business prospects leading to the expansion of the industry. The tourism
industry has also started using technology, but there is still much scope for the development of
the tourism industry by increased use of technology (Harris et al., 2012).
Why is the issue?
It is essential to understand the positive as well as the negative influence of technology and
accordingly take measures to reduce the negative impact (Pesonen and Horster, 2012).
Technology is not used by all the business organisations operating in the tourism sector due to
various factors such as high cost, continuous development etc.
What is the issue now?
Tourism industry should understand that the use of various technologies such as augmented
reality, geo-based technology internet, etc. would act as a boon for the development and progress
of the sector (Bizirgianni and Dionysopoulou, 2013).
How will the research contribute to the issue?
The research project will enable to understand the manner in which technology will influence the
tourism industry and lead to the progress and development of the industry. It will discuss the
various technologies that can be used by business organisations operating in the tourism sector
for the ensure development of the business.
6

1.3 Undertake a critical review of key references
Article Name Journal Name Author Published
year
Key Findings
Web 2.0 and its
influence in the
tourism sector
European
Scientific
Journal
Noti, E 2013  The Internet has
increased access to
information
related to travel
and tourism
 Different
technologies such
as RSS,
podcasting, social
networks are used
by consumers to
get information
about different
companies and
destinations
 It has made
interaction with
tourism service
providers faster
and easier
 It has influenced
the supply and
demand for
tourism services
through
inexpensive
7

technologies.
Future research
issues in IT and
tourism
Information
Technology &
Tourism
Werthner, H.,
Alzua-
Sorzabal, A.,
Cantoni, L.,
Dickinger, A.,
Gretzel, U.,
Jannach, D.,
Neidhardt, J.,
Pröll, B., Ricci,
F., Scaglione,
M. and Stangl,
B.
2015  Use of mobile
applications on
various devices
 Permanent
connectivity
through the
Internet of Things
 Crowdsourcing
process for
gathering
information to
understand
customer
behaviour and
requirements
ICT Impact on
the tourism
industry
International
Journal of
Management
Cases
Aramendia-
Muneta, M.E.
and Ollo-
Lopez, A.
2013  Use of ICT to
enhance
competition
between
organisations
 Increased
productivity,
innovation and
share in the market
through ICT
The role of
geo-based
technology in
place
experiences
Annals of
Tourism
Research
Tussyadiah,
I.P. and Zach,
F.J.
2012  Technologies will
help customers in
gathering
geographic
information about
8

various tourist
destinations.
 Use of geo-based
technology to
provide a
meaningful
experience to the
customers
A theoretical
model of
mobile
augmented
reality
acceptance in
urban heritage
tourism
Current Issues
in Tourism
tom Dieck,
M.C. and Jung,
T
2018  The use of
augmented reality
to improve the
experience of the
customers
 Augmented reality
will boost the
business of
tourism industry as
it will make the
customers more
curious about the
destinations.
9

1.4. Produce a research project specification
The research will help in understanding the different measures that have been adopted until now
by the tourism industry to enhance the experience of their customers as well as to ensure the
development of the business. A range of technologies such as ICT, internet, Smartphone, laptop,
the computer is used by business organisations to ensure the distance between the customers and
the company is reduced, and there is better accessibility to their services (Law et al., 2014).
Further development of technology will help in taking the tourism experience to a completely
new level for the customers and provide the tourism service providers with an opportunity to
develop their business and ensure the growth of the industry as a whole. Innovative technologies
such as augmented reality, e booking, etc. will help in enhancing customer experience and lead
to an increase in demand for tourism services. Geo-based technologies are another aspect that
will help customers in acquiring geographic information about the various destinations and
accordingly decide about the destinations that they would like to visit. The use of technologies
will help the tourism service providers to reduce the cost of the services making it cheaper for
the customers (Neuhofer et al., 2014). This will boost the tourism industry, as more customers
will travel to various destinations.
10

1.5 Provide an appropriate plan and procedures for the agreed research specification
The timescale provides below helps in understanding the process and plan that will be used by
the researcher to undertake and accomplish the research project effectively to contribute to future
research.
Plan for research specifications
1st
Wee
k
2nd
Wee
k
3rd
Wee
k
4th
Wee
k
5th
Wee
k
6th
Wee
k
Selection of the topic for the research project
Gathering relevant information from secondary
sources
Selection of the layout for the research
Literature review
Development of the research plan
Selection of correct techniques for the process
involved in the research
Collection of data from primary sources
Interpretations of the data and findings
Conclusion
Developing a draft
Ultimate submission of the research study
Table 1: Timescale
(Source: Created by the Learner)
11

Task 2
Introduction
The advent of technology has changed the face of the world and has affected every sector of the
world. It has changed the way people used to lead their lives before by making their lives simpler
and easier. It has aided the tourism industry to earn more profit by reducing the cost of operation
and other ways.
2.1. Match resources efficiently to the research question or hypothesis primary and
secondary
Research resources can be defined as the sources from where the data or information regarding a
thesis is collected or gathered. It provides all the necessary details required in order to complete a
research project. There are three kinds of resources that are used to gather data and provide the
relevant data on the topic of research, namely:
Primary Resources: The sources that are originally written by the witnesses are termed as
primary resources. The primary resources are highly detailed and time needed to publish them is
less. The examples of primary resources are reports, theses, emails, conferences, reports of
organization or companies, manuscript sources that are not published, government publications,
etc. These are original materials and are published by original writers (Research-
Methodology.net, 2019).
Secondary Resources: The sources of knowledge that describes the primary resources and
analyze them are termed as secondary resources. These sources are not originally written by the
witnesses but are deduced by writers from the primary resources (Umuc.edu, 2019). The
examples of secondary resources are journals, books, newspapers, as well as government
publications. These sources of information consist of mid level details and time needed to
publish is medium.
Tertiary Resources: The sources of information that locates both primary as well as secondary
resources are termed as tertiary resources. These resources are not so detailed and the time
needed to publish these resources is quite long. The examples of tertiary resources are indexes,
databases, catalogues, encyclopedia, dictionaries, bibliographies, and citation indexes
(Libguides.merrimack.edu).
12