Сборник трудов международной научной конференции «основные тенденции и особенности развития современной туристской индустрии в условиях цифровизации»

Source: Eurostat
The age pattern of online booking of rented accommodation and transport (Figure 2) was in line with the overall internet use by age group (see Internet use statistics – individuals). The share of online booking decreased slightly for older age groups. However, online booking of rented accommodation tended to be a bit less important for the youngest age group (15 to 24 years), possibly because youngsters may be more inclined to book their rented accommodation on arrival instead of making pre-booked arrangements. As regards air travel, the share of online booking exceeded 75 % for the younger age groups (15 to 34 years) [2].
Figure 2 Online booking for tourist accommodation

(% of all trips spent at rented accommodation) and for air travel by age, EU-28

Source: Eurostat

For just under 1 in 4 tourism trips (24 %), transport was booked online (Figure 3). However, for many trips where people travel with their own car no booking (whether online or offline) was needed. Figure 2 takes a closer look at the different means of transport. In 2014, air travel was predominantly booked online (67 %), but travel by train was also booked online for a majority of the trips where railways were the main means of transport (52 %). In six Member States (Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Spain, Romania and Slovakia), air travel was booked online for fewer than half of the trips [2].

Figure 3 Online booking for transport (% of all trips, EU-28)

Source: Eurostat

According to "Lazer and Payton 1999", the delivery of quality customer service is one of the major challenges facing hospitality managers and will be an essential condition in the emerging, keenly competitive global hospitality markets. For thru delivery of quality hospitality service, which involves people, management of people and interactions between staff and guest the building blocks of quality service in hospitality must have proper and effective management and maintenance.

When quality service is being delivered, hospitality businesses gain in profit rewards that will unimproved the quality of the service been provided, increase the guests’ perception of them, enhance the market and guest satisfaction and word of mouth advertising. Thus, it is important to continue improving quality service delivery systems and train and empower staff, develop procedures to deliver what guest want, evaluate and modify service delivery systems, consider the guest being served, determine what the guest desires and implement revised systems which should focus on exceeding the guest expectations [6].

And new technologies, such as internet, online booking and sales is the significant part of tourism industry, what makes the service obviously qualitative.

Other types of new technologies in tourism. Technology plays an important role in the hospitality and tourism industry. Both customers and businesses can benefit from advances in communication, reservations and guest services systems. Technology allows continuous communication and streamlines the guest experience, from reservation to checkout.

Internet. The Internet has a powerful impact on hospitality and tourism. For many businesses and locations, the experience starts long before a traveler arrives--it begins with the first visit to the website, when a person sees photos of the location and gets a sense of what to expect. In the hospitality and tourism business, effective use of Internet technologies can improve revenue. Websites, blogs, online advertising, social media, online ordering and information repositories all help convince customers to choose a location or business. What are the new technologies are used in tourism apart from internet?

Reservations Systems. Booking engines to allow easy access by consumers and travel professionals; the systems enable individuals to make reservations and compare prices. Many, like Expedia and Orbitz, are available through online interfaces. Booking engines cut costs for travel businesses by reducing call volume and give the traveler more control over their purchasing process.

Computer Systems. Because many tourism businesses are large and dispersed, they use computer systems to stay connected. Computer systems allow communication between branches and locations which makes it easier to streamline reservations and cross-company policies. They are also used internally to keep all of the staff on the same page and make it easier to access information that can improve the guest experience: guest preferences, housekeeping information and reservation details can all be kept on a single system.

Mobile Communication. Many travelers take some form of mobile communication device with them on the road, whether it is a tablet computer or a mobile phone. To keep customers advised of changes many tourism and hospitality businesses use mobile communication; they send delay notices, offer deals and sponsor location-based advertising. Depending on the type of business the communication might happen through emails, text messaging or GPS tagging, for example.

Mobile applications. They provide travel companies with an instant and intimate way to keep the conversation going with customers before, during, and after a trip. Whether it’s requesting feedback about an activity or excursion a customer booked, offering similar travel packages, or providing key information about trends in tourism and travel in the hopes of sparking interest in exploring new destinations or activities, mobile apps offer travel companies a direct channel with which to nurture current customer relations and potentially expand that customer-base via word of mouth on social media or travel review websites.

3D and Audio visualization. Virtual reality is becoming popular among tourists everyday more. They can be very useful for disable people and people, who are limited in traveling for far distances. We touched upon the potential for virtual reality in the travel industry relatively recently. On the face of it, the two don’t seem to go together at all, but after a dig below those initial impressions, there’s a lot more to this trend that you might expect.

Traveling tools and equipment. Whether you are travelling by plane, train, or automobile, accessibility and safety are considerations travelers may need some help or can have some limitations. More and more, people with disabilities are gaining access to new technologies and public transportation to help them travel safely. Examples of travels equipment for children, elder adults, sick or disables people or for tourists with safety and other demands are the following: safety seats, wheelchair, lifting gears and etc.

Conclusion. The obvious parallel between rapid growth of tourism industry and dramatically changes for technologies in recent years are undeniable. At the same time the ‘smart world’ in which we live whose landscape - although in a permanent process of evolution is becoming friendlier, offering clearer, solutions which serve to reduce time and money and opening new paths towards the personalization of products and services.

Technology in travelling proves its importance when mankind first travel into the moon. The place that once can only be seen at night at a far distance was being conquered by man. New technologies defy the law of gravity and improve the speed of travelling machines.it runs thousands of car and trains in the streets and railroads that can speed up into hundred miles per second. High classified airplanes were also offered by technologies to give travelling an efficient, safer and comfortable way of expedition through air. Ships and boat are travelling on seas with the sustenance of technological expertise that gives a smooth sailing.

The technology period introduced travelling as an art of relaxation too. With technology, it brings people to its destination while enjoying the elegant beauty of its surrounding which can only revealed through personal views. It also disrupts the repetitive routine of our daily lives and gives us energy for a new start. No one can negate the magnificence of the nature which only can be cherished deeply on seeing.

Today, tourism activity is increasingly being shaped by price comparison and combination technology; new applications for mobiles that offer a wide range of opportunities are being developed; social networks are consolidating themselves within a more transparent market in which citizens are able to provide services together; changes in the concept of the value chain are producing new business models. In short, change is becoming more obvious and constant, just like the opportunities that it is creating.

The importance of technology in travelling extends in educating people. Educational materials like books give everyone a basic account of knowledge but it’s only in travelling that contributes an enriching experience of our lives. Travelling articulates us the culture and tradition of different people at a different place.