THE IMPACT OF ICT APPLICATIONS ON THE HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM INDUSTRY (A CASE STUDY OF TINAPA RESORT CENTER)
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
The Nigeria tourist attraction center has improved significantly with the advancement in the level of technology. The tourism and hospitality industry plays a significant role in the socio-economic development processes in Nigeria and its effect is seen in various developmental processes in the area of incentives for employment and social prosperity by implementing and coordinating the activities and services. This also refers to those companies which have been indirectly related to tourism. Previously emphasized involvement of entities, such as entities that implement their mission in collaboration with the same type of enterprises or integrating with other subjects, seems very important, even crucial to the creation of value chain, regardless to geographic coverage and character of the business. This kind of stresses the need for knowledge of new technologies. According to (Braun, 2008) stated that ICT offers the ability to foster improved competitive performance through network, clustering and formation of alliances as well as providing the richness of content increasingly required by consumers. Beyond buying, the integration of buying experiences, for example connecting the presentation of physical facilities, delivery processes, finance etc., as well as presentation that reaches customer segments in various new media mobiles, for example iPods, Facebook, is increasingly required (Alvarez and Sugijoto, 2010). ICT can bring business change depending on attitudes related to IT awareness, i.e. competence related to the application of knowledge in new technologies. According to Berger et al. 2006) stated that appealing presentations of business products and travel destinations, sophisticated visualization of tourism products, the consulting role of travel agents, the social interaction and information exchange between travelers, as well as the information richness of the Internet are key features for successful tourism e – business. Competitive advantage of enterprises can be achieved by tourism managers who embrace new information technology and actively participate in the technology planning process to identify new users and manage their development (Moutinho, 2002). In the context of resource management within the internal environment of enterprises and the business activities of travel agencies, the importance of new technologies is emphasized in the area of cost reduction. In relation to changes of external environment, the competitiveness of travel agencies that use new technologies is based on performance such as information availability and transparency, facilitating the placement of products and services. The study wishes to examine the impact of ICT application on the hospitality and tourism industry using Tinapa resort center Cross River state as the case study.
1.2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF TINAPA RESORT CENTER
Situated by the Calabar River, Tinapa is a business and leisure resort conceptualized to be an integrated business resort. It is a four phased development promoted by the Government of Cross River State, under a Private Public Partnership (PPP), and very close to Calabar Free Trade Zone. It is the realization of an exciting dream – the first integrated business and leisure in resort in Nigeria. Tinapa Free Zone has world class facilities that enable visitors to engage in retail and wholesale activities as well as leisure and entertainment. Tinapa has let-table space for retail and wholesale, several line shops, warehouses etc. It also has an open exhibition area for trade exhibitions and other events, a movie production studio commonly referred to as “Studio Tinapa” or “Nollywood”, an entertainment strip that comprise a casino, an Eight-Screen Cinema, a children’s arcade, restaurants and a mini amphitheater, a night club and pubs.
1.3 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
What really instigated the study on the impact of ICT applications on the hospitality and tourism industry was due to some key reasons; one of the major reasons was the level of insecurities in Nigeria today and poor service rendering and management in the hospitality and tourism industry. Another issue discovered in the hospitality and tourism industry is the issue of timely delivery of goods and poor coordination of activities in the hospitality and tourism industry. Most the hospitality and tourism industries in Nigeria are very big, people might come to those places without having a good time; some might end up not being served.
1.4 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
The main aim of the research work is to examine the impact of ICT applications on the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria. Other specific objectives include: To examine the relationship between the applications of ICT and the growth and development of the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria To examine the effect of ICT applications on the level of security in Tinapa resort center To investigate on the factors affecting the effective utilization of ICT resources in the hospitality and tourism industry To discuss the roles of the hospitality and tourism industry in the provision of employment in Nigeria. To proffer solution to the above stated problems
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The study on the impact of ICT applications on the hospitality and tourism industry came up with research questions so as to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions are stated below as follows: Is there any relationship between the applications of ICT and the growth and development of the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria? What is the effect of ICT applications on the level of security in Tinapa resort center? What are the factors affecting the effective utilization of ICT resources in the hospitality and tourism industry? Does the hospitality and tourism industry play any significant role in the provision of employment in Nigeria?
1.6 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
H0: there is no significant relationship between applications of ICT and the growth and development of the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria H1: there is significant relationship between applications of ICT and the growth and development of the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria
1.7 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
The study on the impact of ICT applications on the hospitality and tourism industry will be of immense benefit to the hospitality and tourism industry, it will also to be relevant to both the state and the federal government as it will discuss the benefit of utilization of ICT applications in the hospitality and tourism industry, the study will also discuss the Current ICT applications in the Tourism & Hospitality industry. Finally the study will be of immense benefit to other researchers that wishes to carryout similar research on the above topic.
1.8 SCOPE OF STUDY
The study on the impact of ICT applications on the hospitality and tourism industry is limited to the Tinapa resort center Cross River State.
1.9 LIMITATION OF STUDY
Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview). Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.
1.10 DEFINITION OF TERMS
ICT: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an extended term for information technology (IT) which stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals), computers as well as necessary enterprise software, middle ware, storage, and audio-visual systems, which enable users to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information
TOURISM: Tourism means people traveling for fun. It includes such activities as sightseeing and camping. TOURIST: People who travel for fun are called “tourists.
RESORT: Places where many tourists stay are called “resorts.
TOURIST DESTINATION: Places that people go to for tourism are called tourist destinations HOSPITALITY: the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers
REFERENCES
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