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E-Tourism Nicos Rodosthenous PhD 25/04/2013 11 25/4/20131Dr Nicos Rodosthenous
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E-travel agencies 1.Introduction Travel agencies are the main distributors of the tourism product. This chapter examines the various types of travel agencies and explores their ICT utilization. ICTs provide a wide range of tools for travel agencies, by providing the mechanism for information exchange and tourism product distribution. 25/4/20132Dr Nicos Rodosthenous
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E-travel agencies ICTs enable travel agencies to build complicated travel itineraries in minutes, while providing up- to-date schedules, prices and availability data. 2. Strategic and tactical roles of ICTs for travel agencies Different types of travel agencies have different ICT requirements. As business travellers often book their trips a short period before travelling, change 25/4/20133Dr Nicos Rodosthenous
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E-travel agencies their itineraries very often and issue tickets efficiently is becoming very critical for the competitiveness of agencies. Leisure travel agencies need to have access to very wide range of information in order to support/help consumers to choose their destination, timing or budget of their holidays. In both cases, integration of the entire business is critical for the profitability of the ogranization. 25/4/20134Dr Nicos Rodosthenous
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E-travel agencies 3. Internal systems and intranets Internal systems and intranets are instrumental in maximizing the efficiency of travel agency administration. For example, back office: accounting, commission monitoring, personnel and front office: customers’ history, itinerary development, ticketing and communication with suppliers. Travel agencies have achieved significant 25/4/20135Dr Nicos Rodosthenous
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E-travel agencies synergies, efficiencies and cost savings. 4. Interconnecting partner systems and extranets Agencies can have access to on-line availability and reservation functions for all products and services and to manage financial transactions such as invoices, payments and contracts. Using extranets, travel agencies can reduce the cost of bookings, improve communications and efficiency, increase the speed of booking procedures and enhance customer service. 25/4/20136Dr Nicos Rodosthenous
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E-travel agencies Travel agencies can develop extranets for their corporate clients. Integration between front and back office systems improves travel agencies efficiency, their operations and control and increase their competitiveness. 5. Connecting with stakeholders through the Internet The internet introduced major opportunities and challenges for travel agencies. 25/4/20137Dr Nicos Rodosthenous
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E-travel agencies Can develop their internet presence and interact with their clientele, partners and other stakeholders through their website, email and other ways of communication. Providing opportunities for eCommerce on- line allows consumers to purchase travel products. i.e. www.ebay.com, www.thomascook.com 25/4/20138Dr Nicos Rodosthenous
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E-travel agencies 25/4/20139Dr Nicos Rodosthenous
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E-travel agencies Travel agencies need to compete with several ICT- based newcomers, such as Expedia, Travelocity and lastmimute.com which make on-line bookings. 6. Developments and trends in the marketplace affecting travel agencies The internet has changed the role of tourism intermediaries and travel agencies. Internet promotes tourism products on-line and enables consumers to develop and purchase 25/4/201310Dr Nicos Rodosthenous
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E-travel agencies their own itineraries and tickets on-line. The competitiveness of travel agencies will depend on their ability to re-engineer their product and decide which market segment they will concentrate on. 7. The future of travel agencies Agencies often ignore the opportunities emerging through the internet as well as extranets and intranets. The launch of dynamic internet sites by airlines, hotels and other suppliers provide lower prices. 25/4/201311Dr Nicos Rodosthenous
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E-travel agencies Successful travel agencies will need to become travel managers and advisers (not booking offices) by adding value to the experience. Taking full advantage of ICTs they will identify specific products that satisfy the tourism demand, partnership marketing and adding value to tourism products. Integrating their entire operation within the internet /intranet/extranet framework will be critical for their effectiveness, profitability and competitiveness. 25/4/201312Dr Nicos Rodosthenous
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