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1 – 10 of over 16000Tuan‐Dung Cao and Quang‐Minh Nguyen
The growth of online data and services on the Web have have led to the Web become an indispensable tool for the tourist industry. It is not denied that various approaches bring…
Abstract
Purpose
The growth of online data and services on the Web have have led to the Web become an indispensable tool for the tourist industry. It is not denied that various approaches bring benefits for visitors, in supporting their searching for tourist attractions, such as interesting places for the visit, eating or staying. However, like a coin has two sides, too much information would present a difficulty for people when planning their journeys. Generally, tourists usually have problems when trying to find satisfactory accommodation if references to nearby restaurants, sights or event locations are lacking. In addition, travelers suffer from the information overload when they look for information about potential destinations, events and related services. Providing relevant and up‐to‐date information for the tourists with different personal interests is still a challenging task for the tourist guide information systems. The purpose of this paper is to propose a semantic approach for searching tourist information and generating travel itinerary.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper focus on introducing an ontological model for representation of tourist resources as well as traveler's profile. Based on this model, smart user interfaces facilitating the semantic search have been implemented in the mobile travel guide application. In addition, the authors propose an algorithm for generating travel itinerary which combines semantic matching with ant colony optimization technique.
Findings
The Semantic Tourist informAtion Access and Recommending (STAAR) system, which has been implemented to promote the travel activity in Hanoi, reveals the advantages of the semantic approach in the development of smart application with ontology‐based, user‐friendly interface and high precision information search features. An experiment was conducted to show that the proposed algorithm generates travel itinerary relevant to both criteria of itinerary length and user interest.
Originality/value
This paper presents a novel algorithm for planning a travel itinerary that is optimized on the length as well as semantically matching the user interests.
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Andréa Cacho, Luiz Mendes-Filho, Daniela Estaregue, Brunna Moura, Nélio Cacho, Frederico Lopes and Cristiano Alves
– The purpose of this paper is to describe a smart city initiative presenting a mobile tourist guide developed for Natal, Brazil.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe a smart city initiative presenting a mobile tourist guide developed for Natal, Brazil.
Design/methodology/approach
This study has employed an exploratory case study approach to gain more knowledge about a smart city initiative and a mobile tourist guide in Brazil. The city of Natal was selected for this case study since it was one of the host cities during the FIFA World Cup 2014. The collected data for this research came from government (e.g. Natal Smart City plan), academic sources (e.g. Metropole Digital Institute (IMD)), and tourists’ information from the mobile tourist guide application.
Findings
The smart city initiative of Natal, and the mobile tourist guide (named Find Natal) responsible for collecting, processing, sharing, storing and analysing the tourist behaviour were detailed in the paper. The Smart City Consortium in Natal is developing an interoperable and distributed infrastructure that is advancing the state-of-the-art in information and communication technologies (ICT) for planning and managing smart cities. The IMD implemented an application, which aims to enhance the traveller’s experience through software programs designed to leverage the infrastructure mechanisms behind the city. The data gathered by the application was analysed to show how it was used during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Originality/value
The results show a developed ICT initiative in a Latin American country. This study offers a starting point for destinations willing to implement and deploy a smart city initiative.
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M. Manente, V. Minghetti and E. Celotto
Tourism and transport represent two sides of the same management process, especially in tourism destinations characterised by a consistent or a rising volume of visitor flows.
Abstract
Tourism and transport represent two sides of the same management process, especially in tourism destinations characterised by a consistent or a rising volume of visitor flows.
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Vanja Vejzagić, Sandra Janković and Milena Peršić
A tourist destination represents a dynamically regulated system that evolves in space and time. Therefore, it is necessary to anticipate various system reactions to internal and…
Abstract
A tourist destination represents a dynamically regulated system that evolves in space and time. Therefore, it is necessary to anticipate various system reactions to internal and external influences, so that actions can be directed towards the specific goals of supply and demand for products of tourist destinations. A successful process in the life cycle of tourist destination product planning is based on the anticipation and awareness of all participants of supply and demand, as the sustainability values must be perceived within the framework of an integrated destination product. It is necessary to examine assumptions and features of the market valuation of destination business processes from an economic, social and environmental standpoint in line with the principles of sustainable development. This implies the creation of a methodological basis for the recognition, measurement and tracking of complex processes and synergic effects, important for the development of relevant management information-based structures and functions. Measuring the eco-efficiency of a tourist destination represents the basis for building a system of reporting on changes and impacts individual business subjects deployed in the environment. An integrative information system of tourist destinations should provide information on the eco-efficiency of individual business processes, activities, products or a Strategic Business Unit's (SBU's) entire life cycle. Obtained information allows for the preparation of an information basis for reporting on environmental aspects within the system of tourist destinations sustainable development reporting.
Roberto Pierdicca, Marina Paolanti and Emanuele Frontoni
This paper aims to present innovative information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure specifically designed and optimized for the tourism sector. The case presented…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present innovative information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure specifically designed and optimized for the tourism sector. The case presented, “La Valle del Pensare lungo il corso del Potenza”, has been conceived with the aim of providing a digital infrastructure to ten municipalities in the Marche Region (Italy), nestled among the valley of the Potenza River. This research project is aimed at developing an important communication system that facilitates the tourist routes of mining attractions and specific thematic routes across the territory, promoting historical centers, cultural heritage, green areas and interesting places.
Design/methodology/approach
“La Valle del Pensare” information system has the main feature of being scalable and multi-purpose, as the contents can be managed and conveyed through the website, app mobile, totem touch screen and standard tourist signage. It is integrated and modular and allows to manage multiple information, ensuring an interoperable and multi-channel approach. It is designed for small municipalities in the province of Macerata to connect the territory’s resources and activities through a network.
Findings
This work represents an important communication system, i.e. innovative ICT infrastructure that facilitates the tourist routes of mining attractions and specific thematic routes across the territory. Thanks to the collection of user-generated data, the platform allows monitoring of usage statistics and performances. In this way, the municipalities can infer useful information about user’s preferences and needs. The paper also discusses how “La Valle del Pensare” gives identity to the territory, which is not identified as a simple summation of the Common, but as a recognizable system that intends to implement the level of competitiveness through the creation of a real territorial logo able to identify vocations and specificity of the Valley of the Potenza.
Originality/value
The value of the project lies in the ICT system, able to convey information at different scales, providing the users with updated contents; at the same time, administrations can constantly monitor its performances, being able to infer useful information about tourists’ needs, habits and preferences. The main contributions are the creation of a single cloud-based architecture for the management of multiple multi- media contents, to be exploited in various platforms; the design of a unique content management system used by several small municipalities of a same territory; the monitoring user’s preferences and needs by collecting users’ generated data; and the analysis of meaningful statistics about the tourists, tested and verified in real scenario with real users.
研究目的
本论文旨在介绍针对旅游行业而设计和优化的创新型ICT架构。本论文讨论案例题为“La Valle del Pensare lung oil corso del Potenza”, 主要为马尔凯大区(意大利)的10个直辖市, 位于Potenza河域山谷中, 提供数码基础架构。此研究项目主要是为了构建一条重要通信体系来帮助开发矿场景点的旅游线路和整个地区的特殊专题线路, 以宣传历史中心、文化遗产、绿色区域、和各种景点。
研究设计/方法/途径
“La Valle del Pensare”信息系统具有规模化和多样性的特点, 其系统内容可以通过网站、移动app、图腾触摸屏、和标准旅游标牌等方式进行管理和传播。此系统采用一体化设计、以模块为单位, 这样使得多种信息方便管理, 确保交互链接可操作性和多渠道性。此外, 这个系统还专门为了马尔凯大区的小城市设计, 使得该区域的资源通过网络得到整合链接。
研究结果
本论文介绍了重要通信系统, 即创新型ICT架构, 来帮助开发矿场景点的旅游线路和整个地区的特殊专题线路。 得益于用户生成数据(user-generated data), 该平台还能监控使用情况和效果, 从而使用该系统的城市可以推测出用户偏好和需求等有用数据。本论文还讨论了“La Valle del Pensare”如何标识地区身份代名词, 这个代名词不等同于共和(the Common)的简单总和, 而是一个醒目的系统, 使得其通过树立真正的区域商标而具有竞争力, 在Potenza谷中占有旅行度假的一席之地。
研究原创性/价值
本论文的重大价值在于其ICT系统, 能够在不同领域传播信息, 向用户提供更新信息:与此同时, 管理当局能够实时监控其系统性能以及推测旅游需求、习惯、偏好等有用信息。本论文重要贡献在于:i)搭建单个云平台基础的多媒体内容管理架构, 能够在多个渠道上运行;ii)设计特殊内容管理系统, 服务于同一区域的多个小城市;iii)通过搜集用户生成数据来监控用户偏好和需求;iv)分析有关游客的数据, 使用真实游客数据来实地测试和验证。
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This paper describes the provision of a feasibility study for the development of a county leisure information service for a shire county in England, and discusses how the…
Abstract
This paper describes the provision of a feasibility study for the development of a county leisure information service for a shire county in England, and discusses how the structural and political issues that arise are likely to be generic to any service of this type. Analysis is given of the current provision of leisure and tourist information systems, both on traditional forms of media and on the World Wide Web. A solution is proposed that enables the Local Authority and other information providers to avoid unnecessary duplication of existing databases. The argument is developed that existing leisure services must become integrated with Web developments if they are to reach potential customers, who are defined as belonging to two separate categories — county residents and visitors. Recommendations are made that would enable the target audience to be reached by establishing a Leisure Information Web System to reach audiences who maybe anywhere on the Net; and to develop Web kiosks, for use in public places, which may operate offline. The paper also discusses the possible managerial and financial implications of running this service.
Rapid development of IT and communication technologies resulted in the “Smart” concept, which of late has become quite popular. The smart concept signifies the integration of…
Abstract
Rapid development of IT and communication technologies resulted in the “Smart” concept, which of late has become quite popular. The smart concept signifies the integration of organizational networks and smart features that enrich the ecosystem, facilitate daily activities for all stakeholders, and for automatization. Smart concept was discussed as a complicated technological infrastructure in urban areas intended to promote economic, social and environmental welfare. The latest technological developments gave rise to the concepts of smart planet, smart city and smart destination that have become important in recent years. Technological innovations have had a big influence on the development of the tourism industry. Smart concept is conceptualized as smart tourism for tourism sector. Smart Tourism generally has a positive effect on the rapid change of information and technology and on the tourism sector, tourism activities and increase in customer satisfaction. In this chapter, the concept of Smart and its smart technologies are explained and information about its reflections on the tourism sector and smart tourism destinations are discussed.
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Rita Peres, Antónia Correia and Miguel Moital
The purpose of this paper is to understand tourists' acceptance of innovative information technologies by examining the factors influencing the intention to use mobile electronic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand tourists' acceptance of innovative information technologies by examining the factors influencing the intention to use mobile electronic tourist guides (METG).
Design/methodology/approach
This paper developed and tested a model for examining tourists' acceptance of METG based upon Davis' technology acceptance model (TAM). The model considered three antecedents of intention: knowledge, usefulness and attitude. The relationships between them and between these and intention were explored using structural equation modeling.
Findings
The findings revealed that tourists' behavioural intentions towards using METG could be raised through attitude by ensuring greater levels of perceived usefulness. Usefulness, in turn, is highly influenced by the tourists' level of knowledge regarding METG. In addition, there was also a direct significant path between knowledge and behavioural intention, suggesting that good levels of knowledge of the technology are a pre‐condition for greater usage of METG.
Research limitations/implications
This paper suggests that the predictive ability of the TAM in the context of innovations at their early stages of diffusion, that is, when potential adopters know little about them, can be enhanced by incorporating knowledge as an explanatory variable. Future studies could use the full version of the TAM by including other measures of knowledge beyond awareness knowledge, such as how‐to knowledge, as suggested by Rogers.
Originality/value
This paper adapts the TAM to study the acceptance of technology‐based information technologies at their early stages of development. The findings of this study contribute to enhancing our understanding of what influences tourists' acceptance of METG. They can be used to inform local and national strategies aimed at developing Portugal's (and other countries') credentials as digital destinations.
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Ronny Kramer, Marko Modsching and Klaus ten Hagen
The behavior of tourists strongly depends on the availability and quality of information. Too little information as well as too much can be disorienting and forces many tourists…
Abstract
Purpose
The behavior of tourists strongly depends on the availability and quality of information. Too little information as well as too much can be disorienting and forces many tourists to join the majority visiting major sights. This causes a few crowded places in contrast to many which are under‐utilized. A Destination Management Organization has the goal to spread tourists more evenly, whereas the tourists would like to enjoy the destination to its full potential according to their personal interests. The paper aims to focus on the issues surrounding the creation of a mobile tourist guide.
Design/methodology/approach
A field trial was conducted in the summer of 2005 to study the following questions as a precondition for the development: Is it possible to seed generic interest profiles in the mobile context that allow the accurate prediction of actual rankings? Are the interest profiles sufficiently diverse to base personalized tours on individual interest profiles instead of interest prototypes? How do personalized tours affect the spatial behavior of tourist? Three methods to elicit the generic preferences of tourist in the mobile context are compared with actual rankings using Spearman's rank order coefficient.
Findings
The diversity of the interest profiles is analyzed in various ways leading to the conclusion that personalized interest profiles are necessary. For the gathered profiles tours are computed and simulated in order to gain a first insight into the effect on the spatial behavior of tourists.
Originality/value
The dynamic tour guide is supporting both goals by means of pervasive computing based on the actual context which is defined by personal interests, location and schedule of a tourist. It enables a personalized, spontaneous and guided tour.
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Michela Le Pira, Andrea Gemma, Valerio Gatta, Stefano Carrese and Edoardo Marcucci
This chapter proposes a methodology to develop a tool aimed at helping tourists moving sustainably in Rome, focusing on the “last mile” of their transport experience, that is…
Abstract
This chapter proposes a methodology to develop a tool aimed at helping tourists moving sustainably in Rome, focusing on the “last mile” of their transport experience, that is, walking trips. The methodology consists of the development of a stated preference survey, where tourists’ preferences are elicited with respect to alternative configurations of walking paths. This is performed by taking into consideration path accessibility, interference with other modes of transport, and thermal comfort aspects. Besides, georeferenced data are collected and systematized with the overall aim to create a geographical information system of the first municipality of Rome with useful information to evaluate the status of the walking network. The results of the analysis help to understand the relevant factors affecting tourists’ walking behavior. Additionally, the chapter provides the preliminary considerations needed for the definition of a “tourist walking satisfaction indicator” related to their walking experience with two aims: first, it provides useful information for policy-makers on how to design and manage walking networks; second, it provides a framework for a tourist traveler information system (a “StreetsAdvisor”) that can guide them in the city on the base of their heterogeneous preferences.
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