Magnitude Of Computer In Tourism Industry By: Ramesh chandra padhy
21st century is known as a computer age. Computer plays a vital role in each and every sector of world. The computer technology has made its entry in the field of tourism in a big way. In fact, computers are in use in some way or other in various branches in tourism since the early sixties. Be it a travel agency, hotels, airlines or the railways, computers have played a key role in making the task of providers of travel services an easy affair. Not only this, through home terminals, computers are undertaking among other jobs the planning of vacations for an individual and his family. A computer is a managerial tool capable of processing large amounts of data. A computer can perform arithmetic functions and logical operations (sorting, ranking and assembling) in a fraction of a second. The computers are capable of repeating programmed instructions almost endlessly without error, and maintaining a vast data base of stored information. The computer can be put to a great number of uses in the day-to-day activities of human endeavour. In the tourism industry, computers are extensively used today and they perform innumerable functions. The principal users of computers are:-
I. Airlines
II. Hotels
III. Travel Agents
IV. Computer in Cargo
V. Railways Etc.
VI. Car Rental
Computer in Airlines: The sudden growth about thirty years ago in the global travel meant a huge pressure on the existing handling of air traffic for the airlines. It was then that a need was felt to computerize passenger reservation systems in major airlines. Growth patterns in passenger traffic had begun to indicate that handling reservations manually could not be sustained long without affecting the efficiency in the customer service. It was in the early 1960, that IBM (Integrated Business Machine) took the initiative and developed a computerized reservation system known as “Programmed Airlines Reservation System”, PARS. Continental Airlines was the first United States Airlines to use the PARS system in the year 1967. It was an achievement for the IBM that most major US Airlines used that system. After that it was developed more and more. IPARS (International Programmed Airlines Reservation System) was introduced by a joint venture between IBM and BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation). In 1970 onwards many smaller international airlines developed their own IBM oriented reservation systems like CPARS, (C for Compact), Univac Standard Airline System (USAS), Amadeus, Galileo etc.
Followings are the main role of computer in Airlines.
I. Applications in reservations.
II. Application in departure, control and cargo
III. Accounting, budgeting, forecasting and planning
IV. Engineering Management
V. Revenue Accounting
VI. Fare Construction and Quotations
VII. Ticket Printing
VIII. Crew Scheduling
IX. Crew Management
X. Yield Optimization etc.
Role of Computer in Hotels:
The computer technology has entered the hotel industry in a big way. A hotel’s most crucial internal resources are information and with the use of computers the information is available in a way that saves labour and ultimately increases the profits. Today hotel industry is a major market for the computer manufacturers and the software vendors. Like in the airlines, the computer offer substantial advantages for reservation systems in terms of speed and accuracy. Hotel systems all over the world have been divided in to the two main divisions.
A. Front Office Application Areas.
B. Back Office Areas.
Front Office Application Areas Incorporate the Following:
I. To Make the Reservation
II. Registration
III. Guest Accounting
IV. Night Auditing
V. Communication Operations Like (telephones, telex, fax etc.)
Back Office Application Areas Incorporate the Following:
I. Financial Management.
II. Inventory Control
III. Profit / Loss Accounts
IV. General Ledger
V. Credit Card Verifications
Besides these Computers are used to provide better food and beverage services and billing
In Hotel industries the room reservation system of star hotels has been computerised almost all over India.
Internet: key to future Tourism
Internet is the latest and fastest way to gain information and also conduct business. The direct booking on the various places is possible over the internet. It is a mine of information because it has a vast scope of business. Internet is not only easy to access but it is also very easy to use since it is graphic oriented and uses very few than key board command. There are many information posted on the internet by the various departments of tourism all over the world,
Many tour operators, airlines, railways, travel agency. Sitting on your office or home you can book your- self a ticket or tour over the net. The information sites of tourism also provide destination guidance, booking facilities along with the costing and pricing. The tour operators display their brochures on internet as it gives a wider scope of publicity and for reaching people. A client can check out the trip of choice and make enquiries of booking Via e-mail and business is promoted very fast and easily. Every enquiry dose not means a client but it does give an opportunity and hope of making a client.
Role of Computer in Travel Agency:
As compared to the Airlines and hotels, travel agents have been slow to computerize their operations. It was in the year 1983 that Thomson Holidays first used computers with the success of Thomson’s Top (Thomson Open-line Programme) in introducing reservations via Prestel several travel agencies and tour operators introduced similar systems to sell their 1948 summer programmes. Prestel is being used for the basics required in the travel industry- finding out airlines schedules and fares, making reservations and getting information on a tour operator’s holiday packages. The advantage of the system over travel books and brochures is that, the information is automatically updated and only flights and packages that are available are shown. Today many new systems have been developed, which are being used by the travel agents and tour operators the world over. Computer provides the following services to the travel agents.
1. Fast and efficient means of obtaining accurate, up-to-date information on every aspect of the travel industry with excellent visual capacity.
2. Direct access to the information supplied by industry principals, speeding up transactions and increasing both the efficiency of selling and the quality of customer service.
3. Information on new product developments, fare changes, special offers and any other important information put in the system.
4. Display of tour itineraries, graphic illustrations of hotels, resorts and tourist attractions etc. By selling staff.
The various systems in operation in travel agencies and tour operating companies have made world of difference in their operations. In addition to the supply of immediate information the systems are also designed to supply the itineraries, ticket vouchers, a flight manifests, confirmations and a hosts of other relevant documents for both the customers, as well as principals.
Computer in Cargo:
Most of the airlines are now using computer for cargo handling operations as well. The handling of cargo shipments on ground is a costly affair and the cost has been increasing over the years .Almost 50% of the handling of cargo shipment reflect the cost of manual information processing. Freight rate increase have not kept pace with cost increases, so airlines had either to accept reduced margins to reduce overhead. Computerisation of cargo has helped reduce costs as this speeds up the handling information related to consignments and also reduce the time the cargo spends on the ground. The pioneer in cargo computerisation was Alitalia, whose PO4- cargo system was adopted and modified by many major airlines such as Swissair, British Airways. Almost all the major airlines in the world have now adopted one or another system of cargo computerisations.
SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES
• Ticket printing
• Revenue accounting
• Budgeting
• High profile applications like reservation etc.
Computers in Railways:
Railway system in Europe and some other countries have now been using computers extensively. In countries like France, Germany, & Belgium computer have been in use for over a decade. The most important use of computers in railways is ticket reservation. The information regarding availability of seats is now available instantly in various networks; the most remarkable use of computer in railways has been made by France. The metro system in Paris is one of the best in the world. France has been making great advances in the technology in its metro system. The latest technological marvel has been achieved beneath, the surface of earth through a concrete cylinders. A moving at 100 kms an hour the train suddenly stops as soon as bright light appear ahead.
In India, Railways is the most favourable from the travel. The computerised system broadly centres around the PNR [Passenger Name Report] number provided on each ticket of the customers. Each one of these PNR number is unique and identifies not only the person travelling on the ticket along with the passengers’ details but also the train and destination of travel. Now a person can book tickets well in advance of the date of travel and get reservation on the spot. The computerised ticketing system has also shown way to computerised customer service facilities, in most of the cities of India. The computerisation of railway services has made travelling in India not only easier, but also stress free in terms of reservations.
Car Rental:
Car rental is a big business in world and in the metropolis and big cities of India. The main clients of car rental are the business travellers along with the tourists wanting better service and comforts while travelling. The car rental business is fully computerised abroad, especially in America and Europe, and information and reservation such as that of Amadeus, sabre etc. are being used for car rental and information. In India, a very few companies have computerised their car rental services. Couple of these companies are solely dealing with the rental of vehicles, such as wheels .The travel and tour operating agencies such as Thomas cook, Garha tour and travels.
Mr. Ramesh Chandra Padhy
Lecturer in Tourism Management
VIHTM, RAJKOT, GUJARAT
E-mail: ramesh.padhy@rediffmail.com
Reference:
1 Study material of IGNOU
2 Human Resources Development & Mgt in Hotel Industry
By Dr. Jogmohan Negi
3 International Tourism (Fundamental& Practices)
By A.K. Bhatia
I. Airlines
II. Hotels
III. Travel Agents
IV. Computer in Cargo
V. Railways Etc.
VI. Car Rental
Computer in Airlines: The sudden growth about thirty years ago in the global travel meant a huge pressure on the existing handling of air traffic for the airlines. It was then that a need was felt to computerize passenger reservation systems in major airlines. Growth patterns in passenger traffic had begun to indicate that handling reservations manually could not be sustained long without affecting the efficiency in the customer service. It was in the early 1960, that IBM (Integrated Business Machine) took the initiative and developed a computerized reservation system known as “Programmed Airlines Reservation System”, PARS. Continental Airlines was the first United States Airlines to use the PARS system in the year 1967. It was an achievement for the IBM that most major US Airlines used that system. After that it was developed more and more. IPARS (International Programmed Airlines Reservation System) was introduced by a joint venture between IBM and BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation). In 1970 onwards many smaller international airlines developed their own IBM oriented reservation systems like CPARS, (C for Compact), Univac Standard Airline System (USAS), Amadeus, Galileo etc.
Followings are the main role of computer in Airlines.
I. Applications in reservations.
II. Application in departure, control and cargo
III. Accounting, budgeting, forecasting and planning
IV. Engineering Management
V. Revenue Accounting
VI. Fare Construction and Quotations
VII. Ticket Printing
VIII. Crew Scheduling
IX. Crew Management
X. Yield Optimization etc.
Role of Computer in Hotels:
The computer technology has entered the hotel industry in a big way. A hotel’s most crucial internal resources are information and with the use of computers the information is available in a way that saves labour and ultimately increases the profits. Today hotel industry is a major market for the computer manufacturers and the software vendors. Like in the airlines, the computer offer substantial advantages for reservation systems in terms of speed and accuracy. Hotel systems all over the world have been divided in to the two main divisions.
A. Front Office Application Areas.
B. Back Office Areas.
Front Office Application Areas Incorporate the Following:
I. To Make the Reservation
II. Registration
III. Guest Accounting
IV. Night Auditing
V. Communication Operations Like (telephones, telex, fax etc.)
Back Office Application Areas Incorporate the Following:
I. Financial Management.
II. Inventory Control
III. Profit / Loss Accounts
IV. General Ledger
V. Credit Card Verifications
Besides these Computers are used to provide better food and beverage services and billing
In Hotel industries the room reservation system of star hotels has been computerised almost all over India.
Internet: key to future Tourism
Internet is the latest and fastest way to gain information and also conduct business. The direct booking on the various places is possible over the internet. It is a mine of information because it has a vast scope of business. Internet is not only easy to access but it is also very easy to use since it is graphic oriented and uses very few than key board command. There are many information posted on the internet by the various departments of tourism all over the world,
Many tour operators, airlines, railways, travel agency. Sitting on your office or home you can book your- self a ticket or tour over the net. The information sites of tourism also provide destination guidance, booking facilities along with the costing and pricing. The tour operators display their brochures on internet as it gives a wider scope of publicity and for reaching people. A client can check out the trip of choice and make enquiries of booking Via e-mail and business is promoted very fast and easily. Every enquiry dose not means a client but it does give an opportunity and hope of making a client.
Role of Computer in Travel Agency:
As compared to the Airlines and hotels, travel agents have been slow to computerize their operations. It was in the year 1983 that Thomson Holidays first used computers with the success of Thomson’s Top (Thomson Open-line Programme) in introducing reservations via Prestel several travel agencies and tour operators introduced similar systems to sell their 1948 summer programmes. Prestel is being used for the basics required in the travel industry- finding out airlines schedules and fares, making reservations and getting information on a tour operator’s holiday packages. The advantage of the system over travel books and brochures is that, the information is automatically updated and only flights and packages that are available are shown. Today many new systems have been developed, which are being used by the travel agents and tour operators the world over. Computer provides the following services to the travel agents.
1. Fast and efficient means of obtaining accurate, up-to-date information on every aspect of the travel industry with excellent visual capacity.
2. Direct access to the information supplied by industry principals, speeding up transactions and increasing both the efficiency of selling and the quality of customer service.
3. Information on new product developments, fare changes, special offers and any other important information put in the system.
4. Display of tour itineraries, graphic illustrations of hotels, resorts and tourist attractions etc. By selling staff.
The various systems in operation in travel agencies and tour operating companies have made world of difference in their operations. In addition to the supply of immediate information the systems are also designed to supply the itineraries, ticket vouchers, a flight manifests, confirmations and a hosts of other relevant documents for both the customers, as well as principals.
Computer in Cargo:
Most of the airlines are now using computer for cargo handling operations as well. The handling of cargo shipments on ground is a costly affair and the cost has been increasing over the years .Almost 50% of the handling of cargo shipment reflect the cost of manual information processing. Freight rate increase have not kept pace with cost increases, so airlines had either to accept reduced margins to reduce overhead. Computerisation of cargo has helped reduce costs as this speeds up the handling information related to consignments and also reduce the time the cargo spends on the ground. The pioneer in cargo computerisation was Alitalia, whose PO4- cargo system was adopted and modified by many major airlines such as Swissair, British Airways. Almost all the major airlines in the world have now adopted one or another system of cargo computerisations.
SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES
• Ticket printing
• Revenue accounting
• Budgeting
• High profile applications like reservation etc.
Computers in Railways:
Railway system in Europe and some other countries have now been using computers extensively. In countries like France, Germany, & Belgium computer have been in use for over a decade. The most important use of computers in railways is ticket reservation. The information regarding availability of seats is now available instantly in various networks; the most remarkable use of computer in railways has been made by France. The metro system in Paris is one of the best in the world. France has been making great advances in the technology in its metro system. The latest technological marvel has been achieved beneath, the surface of earth through a concrete cylinders. A moving at 100 kms an hour the train suddenly stops as soon as bright light appear ahead.
In India, Railways is the most favourable from the travel. The computerised system broadly centres around the PNR [Passenger Name Report] number provided on each ticket of the customers. Each one of these PNR number is unique and identifies not only the person travelling on the ticket along with the passengers’ details but also the train and destination of travel. Now a person can book tickets well in advance of the date of travel and get reservation on the spot. The computerised ticketing system has also shown way to computerised customer service facilities, in most of the cities of India. The computerisation of railway services has made travelling in India not only easier, but also stress free in terms of reservations.
Car Rental:
Car rental is a big business in world and in the metropolis and big cities of India. The main clients of car rental are the business travellers along with the tourists wanting better service and comforts while travelling. The car rental business is fully computerised abroad, especially in America and Europe, and information and reservation such as that of Amadeus, sabre etc. are being used for car rental and information. In India, a very few companies have computerised their car rental services. Couple of these companies are solely dealing with the rental of vehicles, such as wheels .The travel and tour operating agencies such as Thomas cook, Garha tour and travels.
Mr. Ramesh Chandra Padhy
Lecturer in Tourism Management
VIHTM, RAJKOT, GUJARAT
E-mail: ramesh.padhy@rediffmail.com
Reference:
1 Study material of IGNOU
2 Human Resources Development & Mgt in Hotel Industry
By Dr. Jogmohan Negi
3 International Tourism (Fundamental& Practices)
By A.K. Bhatia
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