Asta Adukaite

Hotel Mobile Apps. The Case of 4 and 5 Star Hotels in European German-Speaking Countries

The importance of mobile internet for travel and tourism has been widely acknowledged, nonetheless the different typologies of mobile applications, their design and usefulness are still under researched. In order to contribute to such analysis, this paper studies the “supply side” of hotel mobile applications adopting two research approaches, which complement each other. First, it draws a comprehensive map of contents and services offered by 80 iOS mobile apps of 4 and 5 star individual hotels as well as hotel chains in European German-speaking countries. Second, beside such objective analysis, the point of view of hotel managers is considered, studying both those whose hotel/chain features an app, and those who are not or not yet offering one. The main drivers for publishing an app are: increasing the loyalty and promoting special offers as well as enhancing the interaction with the guests and providing information about the destination. The main reasons for not publishing an app are: perceived irrelevance for the business, absence of added value to the guests’ satisfaction, difficulty to estimate the return on investment as well as lack of economic resources.

Mobile Apps Devoted to UNESCO World Heritage Sites: A Map

As of July 2013, 981 properties in 160 States were enlisted by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites (WHSs), according to its “Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage”, signed in 1972. While the main emphasis of the Convention is on protection and conservation of cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value, also its presentation is included among UNESCO’s goals. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) may help in fulfilling the goal of presentation, on the one hand opening up such properties and their meaning also to people who are not able to visit them, on the other hand supporting responsible and sustainable tourism by those who can access them, so that visitors can better understand and enjoy WHSs, becoming aware of their importance and of their fragility, hence behaving in a way that does not hinder their transmission to future generations. To better understand the role of ICTs for WHSs’ presentation, this paper provides an analysis of mobile apps concerning WHSs, mapping them according to several factors, including covered sites and areas, main contents and functionalities, intended publics, costs, and presence of UNESCO-related info.

When e-gov deals with tourists: the case of visa information

While tourism is considered as being mainly a private industry sector, its operation does overlap frequently with public administration. In this paper, the case of visa requirements information is presented, studying how official websites of 165 countries, published by National Tourism Offices or Ministries of Tourism, do cover the requirements for foreigners in order to enter their country as tourists. The considered stakeholders are the foreigners who intend to get necessary info before their travelling abroad, and public bodies devoted to Tourism. It is argued that such information -- its availability, completeness, and currency -- can help to better serve travelers (and prospects), and, by doing so, to better serve own economy and citizens. This paper focuses on the web pages regarding visa information, examining it through a variety of indicators such as visa application process, timing, and document requirements.

Examining user experience of cruise online search funnel

While the cruising industry is enjoying significant and stable growth rates, its online communication has not been extensively researched. This may be due to the fact that cruises are still being sold mainly offline. Nonetheless, both cruisers and the industry itself are changing, and the role played by online communication is getting more and more importance. By adopting a user testing approach, this paper presents results of an analysis done on the online search funnel of the four main cruising companies. Such analysis is useful not only to compare the usability of the selected websites, but also to better define critical aspects of the search funnel within cruise websites from the viewpoint of user experience.

Evaluation of formality and informality of the learning context

Zusammenfassung Destinations-Management-Organisationen greifen seit jüngster Zeit auf Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien für Weiter-bildungszwecke zurück. Der Sinn dahinter ist, Reisekaufleute, Reiseberater und Reiseanbieter fortzubilden, um es ihnen zu ermöglichen, eine spezifische Destination und ihre Attraktionen besser zu vermitteln und zu verkaufen. Dieser Beitrag befasst sich mit formellen und informellen Perspektiven des Lernens und bezweckt in erster Linie, die aktuellen eLearning-Kurse zum Thema Touristendestinationen hinsichtlich ihrer formellen und informellen Lern-Erfahrungen einzuordnen. Zweitens sollen in diesem Beitrag die Auffasungen der Reisekaufleute zum Thema der Lern-Erfahrung durch formelle und informelle Lernerfahrungen aufgezeigt werden, die von einer regionalen Schweizer Destination angeboten werden. Hinsichtlich der hergestellten Lernsoftware könnte man solche Kurse als formelles Lernen betrachten, da die Inhalte nach strikten Vorgaben gestaltet und strukturiert sind und ein finaler Test/Zertifikat vorgesehen ist. Bezieht man sich jedoch auf die Perspektive der Nachfragenden – also beispielsweise auf die tatsächlichen Lernerfahrungen der Reisekaufleute – lassen sich einige informelle Lernpraktiken und –Details erkennen. Dazu gehören beispielsweise die Spontaneität, sich ebenso für einen Kurs, wie auch für dessen Veranstaltungsort und Zeitraum, zu entscheiden. Die Erkenntnisse dieser Studie tragen zu einem tieferen Verständnis der Aspekte formellen und informellen Lernens bei, die für die Wissensbildung von Reise- und Touristikspezialisten über touristische Destinationen relevant sind. Abstract Destination Management Organizations recently have started to use Information Communication Technologies for educational purposes: to train and educate travel agents, travel consultants, and tour operators in order for them to sell a specific destination and its attractions in a better way. The paper addresses the formal and informal learning perspectives and, firstly aims to map current eLearning courses about tourism destinations according to formal or informal learning experiences they offer. Secondly, perceptions on the learning experience of travel agents who attended an eLearning course offered by a Swiss regional destination are presented. Considering the produced courseware, such courses may be considered as formal learning, because contents are strictly designed and structured, and usually a final test/certificate is foreseen. However, when it comes to the demand side – i.e. the actual learning experience of travel agents – various informal learning practices and features are identified, such as spontaneity of the decision to take the course or location and timing of course attendance. The findings of this study contribute to an enhanced understanding of formal and informal learning aspects in the process of knowledge construction about tourism destinations for travel and tourism professionals.

How to do things with websites: Reconsidering Austin's perlocutionary act in online communication

Abstract The importance of online communication has pushed researchers from several communication-related fields to contribute to its design and evaluation; when it comes to websites, usability studies have highly contributed to improve the quality of online applications. Even though usability has taken the point of view of users, its main focus is on the application itself, and on how it should be better designed, and implemented accordingly. This article argues that actual usages by a websites users, as well as the business goals of its publisher should be included in the analysis, to offer a better understanding of website communication. To provide a wider, and more adequate approach to the issue, it is suggested that Austins model of communicative acts can offer a clear map of all involved elements and needed viewpoints, helping in designing a comprehensive model for researchers in website communication.