Introduction
Information system and communication (ICT) is now used all around the world. ICT plays a role in communication used in modern technology includes any communication device or application, including radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, as well as the various services and applications associated with technologies, such as video call, online shopping and e-learning. ICTs are often spoken of in a particular context, such as ICTs in education, healthcare and travel and tourism. We are going to discuss further about ICT in travel and tourism, especially hotel room reservation services.
Hotel Room Reservation before ICT was introduced
The hotel had no computerised systems for financial management or property management. All bookings and billing of guests’ activities was being completed manually resulting in problems throughout the business. There was no facility to easily capture details of guest activity for reporting and marketing purposes and this was regarded as a major problem in the business growth.
In the olden days, when somebody wanted to take a business trip or a leisure trip, he would go to a travel agency or by phone, in order to buy a plane ticket, rent a car or book a room in the hotel best suited to his needs. These approach cost higher expenses and take times.
Hotel Room Reservations after ICT was introduced
The benefits discussed included improved day to day management of the hotel, improved financial management and access to valuable marketing information.
Nowadays, instead of going to the hotel or travel agent himself, he would just surf the internet to fulfill his needs. He can gain not just for information about the trip destination but also for getting the various tourist products and the comparison of different kinds of hotels or even the various tourist products.
Advantages of ICT in room reservation
Advantages of ICT in room reservation
- Immediate availability update - The availability of rooms are updated frequently, so we can immediately book the room(s).
- Complete and detail reservations screen - We can gain information about the hotel.
- Guest information enquiry - We can just simply submit our enquiries regarding the hotels.
- individual and group reservation - To book the rooms, we can just fill our particulars in the website itself, even for individuals or groups.
- Feedback form - If ayou have any feedbacks for the hotels, there are feedback forms provided in the website.
- Cancellation - When you wish to change something you can just simply cancel it or make those necessary changes.
Disadvantages of ICT in rooms reservation
- Customization - Many travel websites can't handle complicated itineraries, like a trip that combines train, bus and plane travel.
- Hidden Fees - Many online travel sites advertise low rates to attract your attention, and then add fees and surcharges for a much less competitive deal.
- Special Needs - You usually can't confirm any special requests at the time of your online reservation, such as requesting a wheelchair or adding an infant to your plane ticket.
- Limited Validity - The bargain rates that make booking online appear so attractive often mean giving up flexibility in your dates of travel or other such constraints.
- Limited Options - Some small inns and tour guides may not have an online presence. If you only look for businesses that have websites and online booking capability, you could miss out on some local color.
Example of ICT used in Hotel Reservation
There are some websites that provide hotels all around the world. For example, www.accomline.com
Accomline website provide us information about hotel all around the world. You can just simply choose which country you are going and which hotel. They also provide information about holiday destination and some promotions. Air tickets are also shown in the website.
We choose Holiday Inn Hotel as the example. Holiday Inn Hotel provide online room reservations.
As you can see in the picture, you can just simply check the availability of rooms and the room rates. You can choose which type of room is your preference too. There are feedback form provided.
Conclusion
ICT gives us a lot of benefits. As in this case, we focus on hotel reservations. ICT helps a lot in hotel reservation system. It increases the efficiency for people to make room reservation, to check for the availability of the room and to check the room rate as well. Eventhough ICT is very helpful and useful these days, there are still some of the disadvantages that we should be alert.
