Definition of ICT
Information and communications technology or information and communication technology, usually called ICT, is often used as a synonym for information technology (IT) but is usually a more general term that stresses the role of communications (telephone lines and wireless signals) in modern information technology. ICT consists of all technical means used to handle information and aid communication, including both computer and network hardware as well as necessary software. In other words, ICT consists of IT as well as telephony, broadcast media, and all types of audio and video processing and transmission.
The term ICT is now also used to refer to the merging (convergence) of telephone networks with computer networks through a single cabling or link system. There are large economic incentives (huge cost savings due to elimination of the telephone network) to merge the telephone network with the computer network system. This in turn has spurred the growth of organizations with the term ICT in their names to indicate their specialization in the process of merging the two network systems.How ways of hotel reservations have progressed over the years
Before ICT came about, hotel reservations have to be made by making phone calls, heading to the hotel itself or to a travel agency. These ways of making hotel reservations are still available but with the progress of technology, we can now do this comfortably sitting in front of our computers. Needless to say, the number of medias (i.e radios, newspapers, magazines) used to advertise hotels were also limited. Therefore, we are unable to get full information of hotels for our destinations and only the more well to do ones have the ability to advertise. The reviews given will also have a high possibility that it is biased as the writers may be given the incentive to do so. With internet, it acts as a new platform for advertisements and the amount of information shared are mostly in full (i.e pictures of hotel facilities, price, location and etc.). Reviews of hotels found online are usually non bias because it is written out voluntarily by customers who have enjoyed the services themselves.
According to a research, 29% of hotel bookings made online were generated in 2006 and one-third in 2007. It was also predicted by Merrill Lynch that at the end of 2010, 45% of all hotel bookings will be completed online. Judging from the numbers, we can tell the successfulness of ICT in helping hotels secure transactions online.
Pros and cons of ICT
1) Limited choices
When we walk in a travel agency, it is impossible that we can have access to information of all the hotels at our destination. The travel agency will only hold information of hotels which they have alliance with whereby they are paid a fee, usually know as commission fee, for each successful transaction.
Also, due to the lack of medias available, we cannot enjoy the varsity of choices and usually make our decisions by word of mouth or articles in newspapers.
2) Lower or no discounts
Hotels with their own personal website may sometimes offer online discounts for customers who make room reservations with them directly instead of through a third party. ICT allows easy access for customers to compare prices offered online by the hotel’s website or through a third party website such as zuji.com.
3) Easy cancellation/ transfer of hotels
Cancellation or transfer of hotel reservations can be made easily online through third party websites with no cost or a minimal fee within a stipulated period. It is conveniently done and we do not need to encounter attitude problems by staffs at travel agencies when we do it face-to-face or in phone calls.
4) Google map support
Hotels which are located in strategic tourist attractions can use this plus point to promote their hotels. With the help of Google map, customers can have a better idea of the location of the hotels and the places of attraction around it. This allows first time travellers to plan ahead for their trip without causing much uncertainties upon reaching their destination.
Conclusion
Hotel reservations made after ICT was introduced has enabled greater efficiency. The improvement aids day-to-day management of hotels. Not only did ICT improved the hotel reservation process, it has also improved on the hotel’s capability and services. Improved services such as self-checking in of rooms has greatly reduced the time wasted on queueing. Online bookings are almost immediate upon confirmation which requires lesser paper work. With the aid of ICT in this reservation process, more resources can be focused in important areas such as marketing, management and advertising.
