Research Report: Influence of Technology on Travel & Tourism

This research project investigates the influence of technology on the travel and tourism sector, focusing on its role in enhancing business operations and customer satisfaction. The report is structured into four tasks, beginning with the formulation of research specifications, including aims, objectives, and research questions. It critically reviews existing literature, identifying key factors contributing to research project selection and outlining necessary resources. The research employs both qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection and analysis, utilizing primary sources like survey questionnaires and secondary sources such as articles and journals. The findings are evaluated, interpreted, and analyzed to provide recommendations for Thomas Cook, a UK-based tour operator, regarding technology implementation, with further areas for consideration justified and a final presentation of the research outcomes.

Research Project
“Influence of technology on travel and tourism
sector”
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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................................7
1.3. Undertake a critical review of key references...................................................................................8
1.4. Produce a research project specification.........................................................................................10
1.5. Provide an appropriate plan and procedures for the agreed research specification.........................11
Task 2........................................................................................................................................................13
2.1 Match resources efficiently to the research questions or hypothesis................................................13
2.2 Undertake the proposed research investigation in accordance with the agreed specification and
procedures.............................................................................................................................................14
Task 3........................................................................................................................................................17
3.1 Use appropriate research evaluation techniques..............................................................................17
3.2 Interpret and analyze the results in terms of the original research specification..............................19
3.3. Make recommendations and justify areas for further consideration................................................35
Task 4........................................................................................................................................................38
4.1 Use an agreed format and appropriate media to present the outcomes of research to an audience...38
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................39
References.................................................................................................................................................40
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Introduction
The objective of the research project is to establish the scope, context, and significance of the
research conducted with the summarization of the current understanding and information about
the topic supported by the set of questions and hypothesis. The topic for the research conducted
is “role of technology in the travel and tourism sector”. The research project is divided into four
tasks that disclose different activities of the research. The first task 1 is the formulation of the
research project specification that specifies the outline of the research specifications. Task 2 is
the implementation of the research where the research problem will be critically examined and
investigated for the completion of the research goals and objectives. Task 3 is the evaluation of
the research outcomes and summary of the conclusions and recommendations. The final task 4 is
the presentation of the findings to reflect the outcomes of the research project.
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Task 1
1.1. Formulate and record possible research project outline specifications
Background
There is no doubt in the fact that in the modern environment, the role of technology is widely
grown in the business environment where the business organizations are consistently adopting
the latest technologies for the maximum growth and development. For the maximisation of the
business goals and maximum satisfaction of the customers, Travel and tourism sector has been
continuously looking for the latest and new technologies that help in improving the business
operations, enhancing the standard of the products and services and to retain in the competitive
business environment. On this note, the objective of the study is to reflect on the role of
technology in the travel and tourism sector for Thomas Cook. It is one of the renowned tour
operators in UK that offers quality and value tourism services to the customers and enjoys the
sound and reputed image in the eyes of the customers. The organization is planning to invest in
latest and new technologies for the improvement of the business operations hence a research be
conducted that will disclose about the influence of technology on the tourism industry.
Aims and objectives
The aims and objectives of the research conducted have specified below. For the successful
completion of the research, the accomplishment of the following objectives is very essential.
 To analyse the existing literature and uncover the theories and models to gain maximum
information.
 To critically analyse the role of technology in the travel and tourism sector with the application
of reliable and relevant research methodologies.
 To develop sound conclusions and recommendations for Thomas cook so that the tour operator
can implement the decision regarding the implementation of technology.
Research question
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Question- What is the role of technology in influencing the operations of the travel and Tourism
sector?
Literature review
It is one of the most important sectors of the research project that constitutes the knowledge and
understanding from the existing literature about the subject matter with an objective to gain
maximum information about the research topic. With the collection of efficient and effective
literature, it would be easy to accomplish the research aims and objectives with greater ease and
flexibility. It is a part of secondary research which can be collected through a number of sources
like articles, journals, books, internet sources etc.
The research has uncovered the opinions and reviews presented by the authors and scholars in
their writings related to the subject matter which will help in reaching to the end conclusions in
the most effective manner.
Resources needed
For the completion of the research, there is a number of resources required by the researcher that
not only helps in drawing reliable findings but also accomplishes the research on time. Some of
the required resources in the research are financial, human, time etc. Along with these resources,
primary and secondary sources also plays important role in the execution of a successful
research. Primary sources include Survey Questionnaire and secondary sources comprise of
articles, books, periodicals, and internet sources.
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1.2. Identify the factors that contribute to the process of research project selection
Designing and planning of the research project selection is the initial part of the research which
should be carefully considered by the researcher so as to execute the research properly. Some of
the identified factors are discussed under:
 The research problem should be clear and known. A research problem is something which may
arise in practice and needs some solution by the way of exploration. Hence it should be
effectively determined by the research problem.
 The research aims and objectives of the research project should be specified as the entire
research revolves around the completion of these aims and objectives (Smith, 2015).
 Development of hypothesis is also an important factor for the research project. With the critical
development of the hypothesis, it is easy to compare the research findings and outcomes.
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1.3. Undertake a critical review of key references
In the words of Koo, et. al. (2015), over the ages, there has been significant growth experienced
in the industry of travel and tourism with the expansion and development of the technologies. On
a global perspective, technology has transformed the structure of tourism industry in a highly
effective manner. For an instance, booking a trip today and booking a trip 10 years ago was
totally different. The main objective of the travel and tourism sector is to provide quality and
valuable services to the customers for the satisfaction of their tourism needs and expectations. In
the modern competitive environment where customers are getting day by day more conscious
and rational about the values, they are spending on services hence operating in a service industry
it is essential to adopt new and latest technology that can efficiently cope with the needs and
expectations of the customers.
With the development of technology, the business operations and functions of the industry has
changed where from booking a trip to accommodation services can be offered to the customers at
a single click. Technology can be applied in a number of business operations of the tourism
organizations such as online booking, customised services, accommodation facilities,
transportation, customer tracking, customer relationship management, GPS tours, social
networking etc. (Koo, et. al., 2015).
As per the thoughts of Mihajlović (2012), there is no doubt in the fact that tourism industry is a
major contributor to the growth and development of the economy as the demand of the tourism is
continuously growing in the world. To deliver the quality satisfaction to the customers, it is not
only essential for the tourism organization to supply best and superior quality products and
services but also valuable experiences. It can be possible with the application of modern and
latest technologies that deliver value experience to the customers in a very attractive manner.
In the words of Mihajlović (2012), communication technology in the travel and tourism sector
has become very popular for attracting the attention of the visitors towards the instant
reservations and payment collections. Through the application of the communication technology,
it is easy to improve the business operations in an effective way. The organizations in the
industry can avail maximum competitive advantage over the competitors if they invest in latest
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and new technologies as customers will for those services which are embraced in efficient
technologies.
According to Le (2014), technology has effective implications on the business operations of the
travel and tourism industry where it is not only efficient in improving the satisfaction of the
customers but also modernise the way of doing business. It allows the communication between
the tour operators and the customers so easy from the check-in process to the checkout.
Technologies like Websites, online booking, blogs, social media are grabbing the attention of the
customers and widely used by them before planning for a trip or tour.
As per it is also seen that with the expansion of technology in the tourism industry the
expectations of the customers have also raised which should be fulfilled by the tourism
organization in order to retain customers for a longer time. Also, technology has improved the
profitability and revenues of the organizations. For an instance investing in social media
marketing is cost-effective than using the traditional methods of marketing where a large number
of customers can be easily attracted in a very period of time. Hence it is also found that
technology plays a great role in the marketing operations of the tourism industry. It is clear that
technology plays a pivotal role in the progress and advancement of the tourism industry.
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1.4. Produce a research project specification
Research project specifications are the description of the tools and techniques which are used in
the research. The below discussion will outline the specifications of the research project for this
research.
Research scope
The scope of the present research is wide as there has been plenty of debates and discussion done
on the research problem; the role of technology in the travel and tourism sector. Hence it can be
effectively said that the findings of the research will be useful for the business organizations in
the tourism industry. Also, the findings can be used by the future researchers and scholars for
further analysis on the research topic.
Research methods: Research methods are the methods which are used for the proper and
systematic evaluation of the research in an effective way with an objective to accomplish the
research aims and objectives. In this research project, both qualitative and quantitative methods
are used for the execution of the research. The qualitative method is used for the collection,
analysis, and interpretation of the secondary data while on the other hand quantitative method is
used for the collection, analysis, and evaluation of the primary data and information.
Data collection methods: It is the process of collection of reliable and relevant data for the
research in order to reach the end conclusion effectively and efficiently. The data collection
sources in this research are primary and secondary sources. Primary sources of data collection
include survey questionnaire while the secondary sources of data collection involve articles,
journals, books, and internet sources (Brannen, 2017).
Data analysis techniques: Data analysis is the techniques which are used for the evaluation and
interpretation of the collected data and information. For the analysis of the primary data, the
quantitative data analysis techniques will be used while for the evaluation of the secondary data
and information (Varanasi, 2015).
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1.5. Provide an appropriate plan and procedures for the agreed research specification.
The below action plan and Gantt chart will disclose the schedule of the research project. By
following the action plan, it would be easy to complete the research on desired time.
Action Plan
S.NO Activities Starting date Ending date Time
duration
1 Research plan June 1, 2018 June 3, 2018 3
days
2 Data collection June 4, 2018 June 7, 2018 4
days
3 Data analysis June 8, 2018 June 10, 2018 3
days
4 Findings and discussion June 12, 2018 June 14, 2018 3
days
5 Conclusion and
recommendations
June 15, 2018 June 16, 2018 1 day 1
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Gantt chart
Activities 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Research plan
Data collection
Data analysis
Findings and outcomes
Conclusions and
Recommendations
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