Booking system - Lab Report Example

Introduction Information technology has prevailed most of the functions of operational and strategic management. Researchers have proved information to be the lifeblood of tourism. Advancement in technology has come up with both challenges and opportunities for the industry. There is a need to introduce new booking system in the industry to ensure that customers receive the various services they request in time. The system will also ease the work that many workers do, and hence making their work easier. For the tourism industry to improve its competitiveness in the market, it must come up with new management methods and adopt emerging information technology. The managers should adopt a strategic perspective to utilise technology in tourism (Morton 32). There should be excellent communication between tourist boards, agencies and convention bureaux. The managers should ensure that they improve facilities, legitimate distribution channels, and transport access to meet the needs of the growing global trade in the industry. Conferences are extremely vital since the organization need to continue generating revenue. The conference will provide valuable information regarding the management and implementation of a new booking system for the industry and, therefore, very vital for managers to attend. The buyer This refers to one of the main stakeholders who operate in the MICE industry. They are the planners, and may refer to the organization that holds the event, which is a non-routine occasion. With the help of the intermediaries, the buyer organizes an event meant to educate people. Buyers include corporate who are profit oriented, associate who are not interested in profit, the government, and others who include entrepreneurial and academic buyers (Maranna, Murphy, and Martin 19). Characteristics of the buyer The buyers identify the emerging issue in the market that existing organizations should adopt. They then create an event to communicate the information to the people. They sell places to the people who have an interest in attending. The buyers have an orientation to provide services to members (Morton 56). The buyers can be either international or national provided they possess the necessary experience. They should select destinations in rotation and have a long decision making process. The delegate Refer to the people who attend an event and may include presenters. An event is a non-routine occasion that people set apart from daily life activities. The Delegates are the consumers of the information that the buyers present. Characteristics of the delegates They should expect the buyers to charge them a fee to meet the costs of the event. The buyers should consider the delegates when deciding the venue to hold the event so that it takes place in a favourable place where the delegate wishes. This will increase the probability of the attendance of the venue. They expect the buyers to charge them a sensible price, and hence the buyers have to sensitive when deciding the price to charge them. They also expect quality delivery of information regarding the benefits of the new booking system in the industry. The buyers have a duty to ensure that they analyze and explain various areas of concern. Suppliers These comprise destinations, venues, and support suppliers who include audio-visuals contractors. These are tremendously influential and actively involve by providing the conference facilities. Transport operators and telecommunication companies play a vital function in ensuring that the event is successful (Buhalis 18). Additional suppliers The suppliers are supremely beneficial in facilitating the performance of the conference. They play a crucial role in providing transport facilities to the delegates, venues, accommodation, local businesses and food and beverage. They will ensure that the delegates acquire all the necessary materials that they require during the two days of the event. For the tourism industry to perform efficiently, they have to ensure that the state develops railway links and venues of trade routes (Maranna, Murphy, and Martin 29). Road and air transport is also another area of consideration with respect to tourism. Intermediaries This refers to the people who stage crucial events, conferences or meetings with the cooperation of organizers of the conference and their clients. These professionals offer sufficient guidance during the process of organizing the conference. Appropriate intermediary involved in organising the event The main intermediaries who will assist the performance of the event include tourist boards, professional conference organizers and agencies. The tourist boards represent location and the community in its place. The boards gain income from membership fees, advertising space in their publications and local authorities. They are a significant source of support in the preparation of the event (Buhalis 55). Conference organizers can offer services, which include completing conference administration, accounting and budgeting for the conference, printing and designing of conference materials, mailing and distributing delegate information, and sponsorship advice. They also offer marketing and publicity, accommodation, catering, and booking arrangements for the delegates. Agencies include business travel and venue finding agencies, companies involved in destination management, tourism organizations, and trade associations. These would be particularly vital during the process of deciding the appropriate venue to hold the event and the various methods of travel that the delegates will use (Maranna, Murphy, and Martin 47). Venue for the event The event will take place in Europe since many delegates are from the region. This will help minimize the costs and increase the attendance. Europe has recorded the highest number of people attending conferences in the world. The place has developed for holding conferences for a long period and, therefore, the necessary materials for the event to take place will be easy to acquire (Buhalis 48). Organizers consider various factors when deciding the venue of holding the event. These include the level of service required and in-depth knowledge of the available facilities. A professional organizer is a key factor considered in the process. In Europe, most of these factors are available and hence it is an ideal place to hold the conference. Conclusion Adoption of the new strategy will result in substantial performance of firms in the tourism industry. The event will have significant economic and social impact through involving the various stakeholders. Conferences are extremely crucial in the tourism industry. They enable the traditional destinations to increase in demand. The managers should ensure that they adopt appropriate structures of management and keep in touch with the advancing technology. They should ensure that they give priority to staff development, and research. Every year, Information Technology keeps on changing marked by advancement in technology. To maximize the profits realised in the tourism industry, proper implementation of technological advancements is necessary to earn competitive advantage in the market. As an information technology manager, one has an obligation to ensure that their organization implements the emerging technologies in the market. This will help improve the competitiveness of the company in the industry. The creative and innovative suppliers are the one who will cope with competition in this millennium. Work cited Morton, Gernsbacher. Psychology and the Real World. Worth Publishers, 2009. Worth Publishers. Print. Tassiopoulos, Dimitri. New tourism ventures: an entrepreneurial and managerial approach, 2009. Juta and Company Ltd. Print. Buhalis, Dimitrios. eTourism: information technology for strategic tourism management, 2003. Financial Times Prentice Hall. Print. Maranna, S., Murphy, J., Martin H. Information and communication technologies in tourism, 2006: proceedings of the international conference in Lausanne, Switzerland, 2006. Birkhauser. Print. Read More