eTourism, Web, Open Data

Prakash Neupanewww.prakashneupane.com.np

Local AmbassadorOpen Knowledge Foundation-

Nepal

Introduction

The revolution in ICTs has profound implications for economic and social

development. It has pervaded every aspect of human life whether it is

health, education, economics, governance, entertainment, tourism etc.

ICT

ICT is a broad terminology referring to multiple communication

technologies which range from simple and complex namely Cell Phone

applications (SMS), Digital Cameras, Internet, Wireless (WiFi and

WiMAN), VOIP,GPS, GIS, Convergence (data, voice, media), Digital radio.

Why ICT

Information is shared and disseminated to larger audience

Knowledge is produced, transmitted, accessed and shared at the

minimum cost

it has overcome the constraints of distance and geography

It has led to more transparency

Tourism

Tourism is currently one of the fastest gowning industries across the

world. It is primarily a service industry as it does not produce goods but

renders services to various classes of people. It is an combination of

various interrelated industries and trade like food industry, transport

industry etc. It is an complicated business because it involves multiple

socio-economic activities like attracting people to a destination,

transporting them, housing, feeding and entertaining etc.

Role of ICT in Tourism

ICT is crucial driving force in the current information driven society for

tourism

It has provided new tools and enabled new distribution channels, thus

creating a new business environment

The use of Geospatial Information Technologies in the recent years

across the globe for varied purposes is popularly known and Tourism

industry has not been an exception in availing its advantages

The role of ICT tools in the industry for marketing, operation, and

management of customer is widely known

What Tools used?

Mobile

Laptop

Desktop Websites are gateway for getting information

static websites designed by professionals

easy to edit, dynamic, participativeWeb 2.0

Web 1.0

What technology are we talking

Travel2.0

What not working here Not compatible for all device

Not informative

difficult to find prices, availability and tour times, not showing currency

conversions or a link to do it

Not updated : out of date prices, discounts

Not accurate mapping : stick a pin in a map of their location, but GPS

taking us far from it.

Not good in search engine.

Not recommended on social networks and travel networks.

no instant contact method.That’s why your website fails

Mobile: Great potential

77% of people in this world own mobile devices

85% mobile have a browser

1.3 billion already use mobile internet

62% people have mobile in Nepal.

one of the interesting estimates is that there are about 35billion devices

connected to the Internet. Soon, there will be so many that we’ll stop

counting.-Eric Schmidt, Google

Think about these data while developing sites

Mobile: Great Potential-Tourism

Mobile use is growing rapidly among travellers

Over the past 6 months mobile web traffic to travel sites has increased

by 72%

47% expects to use their mobile device for their travel need at their

destination

37% will use mobile device for restaurant research

26% will use a mobile device for attraction and accommodation

research

That’s why you need to make mobile compatibility sites and applications

Limitation

Unavailability of Internet and Education

Reliability

Fragmented Information

Chances of misusing and misunderstanding of data/information

Time Consuming

Search engines for tourism

Cost

Solution

Awareness of scope and importance of digital way

Participation

User readability

Open source

Way?

Lets make Open

Open Definition The Open Definition sets out principles to that define “openness” in

relation to data and content.

“A piece of data or content is open if anyone is free to use, reuse, and redistribute it — subject only, at most, to the requirement to attribute and/or share-alike.”

Thank youPrakash Neupane

9849083301www.prakashneupane.com.np

Local Ambassador | OKFN-Nepal|www.np.okfn.orgResearch and Development |Smart Samaj|

www.smartsamaj.com

References Headshift.com The power of mobile web for tourism ICT and Tourism: Challenges and Opportunities Deepthi

Shanker* Blog.freebase.com