• Introduction
• Understanding use of ICT in Organizations
• Consumer Behavior in Tourism
• email and social media marketing
• Development in IT and IT in tourism
• Creating Database in MS Access
• Customer Persona, Digital Technologies, Google Analytics
• Market Segmentation
• MakingAds
• HTML-Basics
• Links For Readings
• SEO
• 8 Ps of Marketing Mix
• AIDA-Copywriting
• Ps of Marketing Mix and Information technology
• Q and A
• E-Tourism Introduction New
• E - definitions
• Tourism Business Processes and IT
• IoT Bus Proce OTA Big Data GDS
• Database and Tourism
• E-Tourism Benefits Challenges Sustainable Tourism
• E-Supply Chain

E-Tourism

IoT Bus Proce OTA Big Data GDS

Business Process

Definition: A business process is a structured set of linked activities or tasks that transform inputs into outputs to achieve a specific organizational goal. It represents how work flows through an organization to deliver products/services to customers.

Key Characteristics:

1. Repeatable: Can be performed multiple times in the same way
2. Creates Value: Produces something of value to customers or the organization
3. Has Defined Inputs and Outputs: Clear starting points and deliverables
4. Cross-functional: Often involves multiple departments or roles

Example in Tourism: The "guest check-in process" at a hotel involves reception, housekeeping, and billing departments working together through specific steps (verification, room assignment, key issuance, payment authorization).

Big Data Analytics

Definition: The process of examining large, diverse datasets ("big data") to uncover hidden patterns, correlations, market trends, customer preferences, and other insights that support decision-making.

The 3Vs (or 5Vs) of Big Data:

1. Volume: Extremely large datasets (terabytes/petabytes)
2. Velocity: High-speed generation and processing of data
3. Variety: Different data types (structured, unstructured, semi-structured)
4. Veracity: Data quality and reliability
5. Value: Deriving business value from data

Tourism Example:

Vienna Tourism Board analyzes millions of social media posts, mobile location data, and booking patterns to understand tourist movement flows, optimize attraction opening hours, and predict peak congestion times.

Airlines use analytics on historical booking data to optimize pricing and overbooking strategies.

Global Distribution System (GDS)

Definition: A computerized network system that enables transactions between travel service providers (mainly airlines, hotels, car rentals) and travel agencies/agents, providing real-time inventory, pricing, and booking capabilities.

Key Features:

1. Real-time access to travel inventory worldwide
2. Standardized communication protocol
3. Commission-based model
4. Used primarily by travel professionals (not directly by consumers)

Major GDS Players: Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport (which includes Apollo, Galileo, and Worldspan)

How It Works:

Airline Inventory --> GDS --> Travel Agent --> Customer
Hotel Inventory --> GDS --> Corporate Booking Tool --> Business Traveler

Example: When a travel agent searches for flights from Kathmandu to Brussels, the GDS queries multiple airlines' databases simultaneously and displays available options with fares in a standardized format for comparison and booking.

Online Travel Agency (OTA)

Definition: A web-based marketplace that allows consumers to research, compare, and book travel services (flights, hotels, rental cars, packages) directly, typically aggregating inventory from multiple suppliers.

Characteristics:

1. Consumer-facing (B2C) platforms
2. Often offer competitive pricing and user reviews
3. Generate revenue through commissions from suppliers
4. Provide comprehensive search and comparison tools
5. Major OTAs: Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, MakeMyTrip, Ctrip

Business Model Example:

1. Booking.com doesn't own hotels but lists them, taking 15-25% commission on each booking
2. Expedia offers "Expedia Rewards" loyalty program to encourage repeat bookings
3. Trip.com provides 24/7 customer support in multiple languages for global travelers

Internet of Things (IoT)

Definition: A network of physical objects ("things") embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity that enables them to collect and exchange data over the internet, creating smart, automated systems.

Key Components:

1. Sensors/Devices: Collect data from environment
2. Connectivity: Transmit data (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID, etc.)
3. Data Processing: Analyze collected information
4. User Interface: Present insights or enable control

Tourism Applications:

Area	IoT Application	Example
Smart Hotels	Connected room controls	Hilton's "Connected Room" allows guests to control lights, temperature, and TV via app
Airports	Baggage tracking	RFID tags on luggage provide real-time location updates to passengers' phones
Attractions	Crowd management	Disney's MagicBand+ tracks visitor flow to optimize queue times and staff deployment
Transportation	Smart parking	Sensors in parking spaces guide tourists to available spots via mobile app
Cruise Ships	Passenger experience	Wearable devices for cashless payments, cabin access, and activity booking

Benefits in Tourism:

1. Enhanced guest personalization
2. Operational efficiency and cost reduction
3. Improved safety and security
4. Data-driven decision making
5. Sustainability through resource optimization (smart energy/water management)

Interconnection in Modern Tourism

These technologies increasingly converge:

1. IoT sensors in hotels generate big data about guest preferences
2. GDS systems feed inventory to OTAs
3. Big data analytics optimize pricing on OTA platforms
4. All support streamlined business processes for tourism operators

This technological ecosystem enables the modern, seamless travel experience where a tourist can research trips on an OTA, book via GDS-connected systems, enjoy IoT-enhanced services, and generate data that further improves future offerings.