The Impact Of Ict Applications On Hospitality Indsutry

ABSTRACT

This work is to analyze the implementation of ICT applications as a field in Tourism and Hospitality alongside the effect of ICT application on the Tourism and Hospitality Industries in Nigeria. Using different kinds of literatures from research papers, articles, books this study high-lights and scrutinises the significance of ICT and how these actions contribute towards Tourism and Hospitality sector. Tourism and Hospitality industries should be commended for its use of ICT and adoption of modern technologies such as social networks for engaging with customers. The application of ICT has been cleverly managed and implemented with very minimal cost, requiring little technical resource from the staff. This paper aims to create consciousness among the academicians, researchers, politicians, tourism businesses and gov-ernment authorities the effectiveness of ICT application on the tourism and hospitality Industries in Nigeria. The paper is constrained in inside Nigeria and the consequence is attained based on the past studies. The study is conducted in ICT application only as independent variable. Therefore, there may be some other variables which may influence on tourism and hospitality industries in Nigerian society.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1      Background Of The Study

As with almost every industry, ICT applications have an enormous impact on the Tourism and Hospitality industry. From social media to smart phones and automatic check-ins, Information and Communication Technology effects even the smallest areas of the industry. ICT applications are evolving at an ever quicker pace and industries have to adapt quickly to keep ahead of the curve, or else risk falling behind the competition. In particular, social media has become a big player in a variety of industries in recent years. With the growth of Facebook and Twitter, many companies have found it an ideal way to promote and sell their wares. As it stands, it is difficult for travel related companies to utilise the likes of Facebook to its full potential. Unlike other, more physical technological advances, social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter cannot yet keep up to date with live changes in flight prices and schedules etc. Products such as iPhones and tablet computers have quickly been adapted for flight and hotel bookings, as well as getting up-to-the-minute information on many different locations.

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are necessary components of business culture. In today’s world using ICT is no more distinctive characteristic by itself, only an effective and efficient usage can help in obtaining a competitive advantage. When the right technology is available and it is correctly applied, a manager can obtain visible organizational benefits and is able to stimulate the growth of the company, in line with the market evolution.

The travel and tourism sector is known to be one of the world’s largest and enduring industries. Its revenues support a significant proportion of the economies of many nations and it is one of the largest employers worldwide. Its contribution to gross national product, employment and regional development are well documented and, unlike many other sectors, it is forecast to grow in importance in the coming decades as leisure time increases. Tourism is acknowledged to be very information intensive. This sector is also open to the elements of the fragmentary developments in the information and communication technologies (ICT) field. The exchange of information is very important at every stage in the sales cycle of the tourism product or service. Information must be able to flow quickly and accurately between the client, intermediaries and each of the tourism suppliers involved in servicing the client’s needs. As a result, ICT (Information Communication Technology) has become an almost universal feature of the tourism industry. Its power allows information to be managed more effectively, and transported worldwide almost instantly. As a result, it has had (and continues to have) a major effect on the methods of operation of the hospitality industry (Nwakanma, 2014).

1.2      Statement Of The Problem

The vast majority of hospitality industry in Rivers State is small– large size firms. For many of them, the problem is to able to have a clear frame work for applications (adopting) of ICTs and features which are related to management and economic issues. Management issues include strategic importance, level of integration in present environment, assessed on available software and hardware, products and packages and ease of implementation and use. However, economic issues include cost and benefits.

1.3      Objectives Of The Study

The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of ICT application on the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria. The specific objectives include the following:

1. To examine the effect of ICT applications in the tourism and  hospitality in Nigeria.
2. To identify existing ICT infrastructure in travel sector in Nigeria.
3. To determine the factors affecting the adoption of ICT among travel agencies in Nigeria.

1.5      Significance Of The Study

This study shows the extent of ICT infrastructure utilization in hospitality industry in order to get a grip of the relationship existing between technological advancement and economical development trend.

This study will benefit the hotel industry by providing critical information to management in deciding on the areas which ICT should be adopted, such as room division or food & beverage division, as well as the specific technologies that would improve hotel performance. It also contributes valuable information to ICT marketing personnel.

1.6      Scope Of The Study

The study concerns about the impact of ICT application on the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria with a particular reference to travel agencies in Nigeria

Pages:  30

Category: Seminar

Format:  Word & PDF                

Chapters: 1-5                                                      

Material contains Table of Content, Abstract and References.