According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Cuba is one of the leading nations in employment of thermal waters for health rehabilitation. Cuba’s spas are among the favorites of vacationers from many countries, including America, Canada, Spain and Italy, who come to the Island for recovery. Nowadays, among the main receptors are San Diego de los Baños, in Pinar del Río; Elguea, in Villa Clara; and San José del Lago, in Sancti Spíritus. In all of these locations, the medical and paramedical staff are highly trained and professional. The treatments offered and results obtained are backed by the Cuban Ministry of Public Health.

The thermal waters of Elguea, on the northern coast of Villa Clara, are regarded as among the best in the world because of their high thermal and mineral properties. Located 200 Km to the East of Havana, the spa has more than 130 rooms, out of which 97 are 3-star category, devoted to international health tourism. A modern thermal unit, unique of its type in Latin America and the Caribbean, is working here. Elguea has four swimming pools and eight thermal baths, electrotherapy rooms, and gyms among other offerings, as well as attractions typical of the area characterized by its rural landscapes. Different treatments are offered here, such as treatments for respiratory, circulatory, bone, kidney, gastric, dermatological, and gynecological diseases, among others. From Elguea, you can visit Santa Clara City, the Northern Keys in Villa Clara, and Varadero.

Located 70 Km to the North of Sancti Spíritus, The Lagos de Mayajigua, Villa San José del Lago (Mayajigua Lakes), is another exclusive center in the treatment of chronic diseases with or without systemic repercussion, and nervous system diseases. Highly proven has been the effectiveness of the treatments in the cases of psoriasis. The historic records of this charming place date form 1513, when the town was occupied by Mayajigua and visited by Pánfilo de Narváez during his route around the Island, following orders of Diego Velázquez. The hotel has 88 rooms and welcomes more than twenty thousand guests every year. Nearby touristic attractions include Yaguajay City, the Northern Keys of Villa Clara, and Ciego de Ávila City. The hotel is also suitable for hunting in the nearby game preserves.

The San Diego spa, 100 km west of Havana, dates from almost 400 years ago. In 1632, when the Spanish Crown gave Don Diego de Sayas these lands as a gift, the deposit was mentioned as 20 square kilometers of springs rising from 400 meters deep. Today, 4 doctors, 11 nurses, and 12 medical technicians take care of the variety of services offered in the complex: physical therapy, gymnastics, mud therapy, acupuncture, hydrology, laboratory, pharmacy, among others. Various individual and collective swimming pools, and private rooms for those that prefer intimacy, are available to guests. The cozy Mirador hotel, 50 km away, is the best option for those who decide to spend the night in the San Diego town. There are optional excursions to the Viñales Valley, the Soroa Orchid Garden, the Community of Las Terrazas, and La Güira National Park being sold at the hotel.

Auroville, 160 km south of Chennai, was set up as a “universal town” in 1968 by followers of the late Indian philosopher Aurobindo. It has a population of about 2,000 people from India and 30 other nations. Despite its other-worldly aura of spirituality, Auroville is also involved in more practical and innovative pursuits. Prominent among them is its forestation work. The town lies in a region which was once a verdant Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF) but is now a desert ridden with gullies and ravines. But over the years, Aurovillians have reforested over 800 hectares of the township’s 2,000 hectares of land and turned them into an oasis for many of the original species of plants and animals. They have also set up organic farms to feed their community and in the process are pioneering in sustainable farming methods.

The projects are carried out by a loose coalition of self-supporting groups with their own sources of expertise, manpower and funding from around the world. Other similar groups are also doing innovative work related to architecture, building materials, business, culture, education, health care and waste-water treatment.

Most of the volunteers work with the forestry and farming projects, which provide lodging and meals in exchange for labour and a small financial contribution. (A bonus: as most projects have two days off a week, volunteers can do day trips to the many famous temple towns nearby.) The volunteers I met when I visited Auroville early this year were mainly young men and women from Germany, France, India, Britain and the US, as well as a few from Israel, Nepal, Taiwan and Japan. Some were back packers sojourning for a week or two, others planned to be there for as long as six months.

The project with the most volunteers – about 150 – is Sadhana Forest. Set up by Mr Aviram Rozin, 44, a burly former medical appliance supplier from Israel, its aim is to turn 28 hectares of arid land into a forest. When he and wife Yorit began work in 2003, nothing would grow there except the most hardy weeds. Today, 17 hectares are covered with saplings watered, weeded and cared for daily by a team of volunteers. They are also digging ditches and building bunds to trap rain water and reverse the process of desertification. As a result, the water table, which was 26 feet (8 metres) below ground level in 2003, has risen to 6 feet (1.8 metres) below ground level.

I was impressed by the scale of the project and its pioneering spirit. To get there, I took an auto-rickshaw down an unpaved road. A long and bumpy ride later, I arrived at the project headquarters – a palatial hut on stilts, built from local materials. Granite pillars formed the legs. The walls were of bamboo and twine. Topping them all was a high and peaked double roof – the inner one of woven coconut palm leaves and the outer one of elephant grass. I climbed a bamboo ladder and entered the main hall, about 100 square metres in size. The floor felt like it was on springs. It was covered with reed mats, providing comfortable seating for about 300 people. Sunlight entered through chinks in the wall, suffusing the interior with a dim light. Ladders led up to a second level along the sides of the hut to the project office and rooms for staff children. A naked toddler swung blissfully in a hammock in a corner. The thought struck me that this would make a great prop for a Tarzan movie.

Mr Aviram showed us the residential zone – a dozen smaller huts with braided rope beds and hammocks that serve as dormitories, a community kitchen, composting toilets and arrays of solar panels that provide power for lighting, computers and a wi fi system. We walked out to some plots where trees were being planted. Mr Aviram outlined the project’s strategies: tree planting, water conservation and environmental education. About 22,500 trees of 160 different TDEF species have been planted and 90 per cent have survived. The key has been the water conservation plan. “If you start the project with planting, it’s actually quite useless,” said Mr Aviram. “It’s a waste of time and energy. What you need to do is to stop the water runoff; first, to enable vegetation to grow, and second, to recharge the water table.”

When the project started, the runoff was almost 100 per cent. Without top soil and vegetation, the earth was hard and could not absorb or retain water. During the monsoons, water would rush down the gullies and canyons. His team came up with a master plan using simple earthen dams to check the water flow and turn some canyons into catchment ponds. Trenches would link these to each other and to bunded areas where trees were to be planted. The plan is being implemented in stages as and when funds permit and in many areas the runoff is almost nil, he said.

To get villagers to support the project by not felling trees or letting cattle graze among them, the volunteers try to create awareness about the history of the land, how it became a desert and the steps taken to replant it. On some days, they go out to the villages nearby to interact with people, share ideas and take part in activities such as a village cleanup campaign. They also involve children and have a garden at Sadhana Forest planned and planted by them.

Mr Aviram said the project welcomes volunteers of all ages and physical abilities, including families with children. There are about 30 people who plan to work for three years and a floating population of about 120 others who spend two weeks to a month or more.

Project workers lead a disciplined life. They rise early and spend up to four hours a day planting trees, caring for them and working in the project’s vegetable garden. In the process, they learn about plant nursery, contour bunding, organic gardening, building and installing fences, composting and soil management. Then there are domestic chores: cooking, washing dishes, cleaning communal areas and so on.

The diet is vegan. “We don’t consume anything from animals – no milk, no honey, fish and meat, and non-violence is a major part of our project – between ourselves, between the people, towards nature, towards animals,” said Mr Aviram. Producing non-vegan food requires lots of land and is inconsistent with the group’s vision of greening the planet, he said. Consuming drugs and alcohol is also forbidden, even outside the project area.

The volunteers seemed enthusiastic, relishing the sense of being part of a significant mission and the camaraderie of the large and diverse group. The community life is vibrant, with yoga and Tai Chi classes for those interested and Friday night celebrations with music, food and movies at the main hut. Bicycles and mopeds are available for those who want to spend an evening out at Pondicherry, about 10 km away.

Auroville’s farming projects are also concerned about the environment and provide an alternative to the approaches of large-scale commercial agriculture as well as village farms. There are 14 such projects covering around 160 hectares of land.

Among those that take in volunteers is the Buddha Garden community farm. Set up by British-born Priya Vincent in 2000, the 5-hectare farm grows vegetables, cashews and fruit and rears chickens for egg production. It includes a Centre for Sustainable Farming, which provides information and research services for local farmers and holds courses for visitors, students and professionals.

Ms Priya, who is in her sixties, says the problem with modern agriculture is that it views the earth as a commodity. “The connection to nature is lost and we move to a mechanical way of farming, using more and more fertilizers and pesticides, which have a negative impact on the environment and lead to the degrading and loss of soil,” she said. “In some large farms, a computer programme tells the farmer what he has to do every day. He loses his link to nature and his ability to work with nature.”

The challenge for sustainable farms is surviving in the market place. “Government subsidies have introduced distortions that make it difficult for the farmer,” she said. “For example, free electricity and free seeds mean villagers can produce vegetables and sell them for below the real cost of production, depressing prices for the farmer. Subsidies for buying cows, for example, have resulted in many villagers buying cows and sending them out to graze. The cows invade farms and eat up the produce. The villager sells its milk at low prices because he does not pay to feed it.”

Auroville farms struggle to make it financially, she said. Many diversify into related activities such as food processing, running restaurants and holding educational programmes on farming.

Buddha Garden, for example, holds tours, workshops and other educational programmes. “We have a weekly Monday morning course on sustainable agriculture for visitors. Groups will come and ask us for courses. We have schools which bring students on trips to the farm,” said Ms Priya. “We also have university interns who come to do their research at our Centre for Sustainable Farming and we supervise their activities and get some fees in the process.”

Her team consists of three other permanent staff and a few volunteers. One is an intern from Agro ParisTech doing her diploma in Agronomy. She is doing her research at Buddha Garden during her six-month stint and helps out with the farm work as well.

One advantage of volunteering at Buddha Garden is that it provides enough free time for those planning to take part in various courses and events at Auroville. Work begins at 6.15am and is finished by 10am, Monday to Friday. Volunteers are served breakfast on those days; cooking facilities are provided for them to make their own meals at other times.

Solitude Farm also takes volunteers. It produces millet, rice, lentils, oilseeds, fruit and vegetables and rears cows and chickens. British-born Krishnan McKenzie, 37, started the 2.4-ha farm in 1996. His inspiration is the late Masanova Fukuoka, a Japanese farmer and author of One Straw Revolution, which advocates a natural “do nothing” way of farming. The approach is holistic, paying attention to all the complexities of plant life and to how a plant or organism can relate to another. The farmer’s role is to go with the flow of nature, letting it do as much of his work as possible and using its seasonal changes to advantage. “We believe Nature is perfect,” says Mr Krishnan. “We try to be gentle with Nature and mimic its methods.”

While most village farmers grow just one crop per plot, he grows several different crops in the same patch either at the same time or in relays, matching plants that complement one another so that a synergy develops.

He shows a patch with a mix of long and short duration crops. “This is a banana line and we’ve also put corn,” he says. “There are also beans. We have a long-duration tree of pomelo, banana and papaya. Then you’ve got lentils climbing up the tree, snake gourd climbing up the branches and the corn. You’ve got beans growing up the bananas. You’ve got tomatoes on the side. You’ve got some sunflower, some capsicum. So there’s quite a lot of diversity.” This permaculture approach, which requires careful thought about the duration, size and the physiology of the plants, gets more out of the land, he says.

The farm sells its produce to shops in Auroville or directly to residents who contract to buy a certain quantity of whatever is grown at a fixed price for a certain period. Solitude also cooks and serves some of the produce in its restaurant, which is patronised by residents and visitors to Auroville.

Mr Krishnan runs the farm with his wife Deepa and about 20 volunteers. Their daily routine involves nursery work, transplanting, planting and harvesting, as well as other tasks such as maintaining communal spaces. He is looking for more volunteers interested in sustainable farming and who would enjoy community life and would be willing to work with them for between one and six months.

INFO BOX:

Getting there: Auroville lies 160 km south of Chennai in the Villipuram district of Tamil Nadu and 10km south of Pondicherry (Puthucherry). Visitors can hail a taxi (2,000 rupees) from the airport for the four-hour journey or book one in advance through Auroville Transport Service (www.aurovilletransport.com/ ). Those travelling light can also board the frequent buses (50 rupees) plying from Chennai to Pondicherry, alight at Kuilapalayam and take an auto rickshaw (150 rupees) to Auroville. Alternatively, they can continue to Pondicherry and take an auto rickshaw from the main bus terminus. Those already in Chennai should board the bus at the city terminus to be assured of a seat as there may be standing room only by the time it gets to the airport.
Accommodation: The best time to visit is in the cool season, during late December to early March. This is also the peak tourist season and so volunteers should make bookings well in advance to ensure they have a place to stay.

Most farm and forestation projects at Auroville require a minimum stay of one month although Sadhana Forest allows two-week stints during March to December. They provide accommodation in exchange for labour and some or all meals. A daily contribution ranging from 100 rupees to 150 rupees is expected. For more information consult the websites/blogs of Sadhana Forest (www.sadhanaforest.org/wp/volunteers/), Solitude Farm (solitudefarm@blogspot.com) and Buddha Garden (www.buddhagarden.org/).

Those who merely want to visit these projects can stay at one of the many guesthouses and hostels (www.aurovilleguesthouses.org/) at Auroville, which also has plenty to do and see.

Sightseeing: There are several tourist sites within a two to three hour bus journey from nearby Pondicherry. These include the 7th to 9th Century rock sculptures at Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) and the 11th century Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, both listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites; and the famous 13th century Nataraja Temple dedicated to Shiva as the Cosmic Dancer at Chidambaram.

Tourism is one of the very important factors which promote a country’s economy. It is considered to be the most powerful tool to promote national integration and unify people from all over the country. All in the states of the USA promote all kinds of tourism, especially the state of Ohio. Ohio offers tourists various historical places and also scenic beauty, which is a pleasure for any tourist. Cincinnati is famous for its tourism and one of the comforts this city offers is its Apartments. It offers quality peaceful living to all its residents. Since 2002, the crime rate in Cincinnati has fallen to a great extent, therefore tourists prefer living in rental apartments as that increases their pleasures during their vacation and gives them the required comfort.

Education provides the true advantages of tourism. Knowledge of a place can best be acquired if that region is properly seen and understood. Students eagerly look forward for such opportunities when they are taken out of the four walls of classrooms to distant places. Englishmen consider their schooling complete only after a tour of the continent. Tourism is one of those experiences which a student cherishes all his life.

Geography can also become interesting if students are taken out of their books to see the scenes depicted in pictures with their own eyes. When students actually visit and witness the wonders of the world, they tend to learn more and remember for a longer time. History can be made very interesting as well if students are allowed to visit historical monuments, architectural structures, battle fields and all similar historical cities. Thanks to tourism, education actually becomes enjoyable.

We can learn a lot more when we actually come in contact and witness all the sights of the world. Sitting at home will give us a very narrow vision. Our outlook towards life becomes blurred. By staying in our own cities, we will fail to understand the positive and negative effect of environment on the life of human beings. Just reading about the place won’t give you much information about it. You must know the habits, manners, cultures and way of living of people in other places. Traveling takes people to the sphere of practical knowledge. While traveling, you will learn to adjust to the changed conditions of living and the environment also. In addition, you will get experience of the world and discover that the differences between you and others are trivial and can be overcome.

The learning of a foreign language is a very important aspect of tourism. It is the first step towards understanding a nation. Things will become easily clear and understandable only if the language of the common people of a place is known.

Traveling is a must for those who are interested in knowing about the world they live in. This will provide them with the maturity of judgment. Plus, tourism is the quickest and the best, if not the cheapest, method of learning new things. The experiences that you have when you travel cannot be reproduced in a book.

Kalakho is a woodsy delight packed in the ethnic ambiance. Set in the base of the isolated Aravali Hills, Kalakho is of the rare gems of the Rajasthan that have remained undiscovered. Its green and serene rural surrounding is a perfect haven for the rest and convalescence. The blend of warm hospitality, the mesmerizing rural charm and the opportunity to see the old historic forts will make your visit to Kalakho a memorable experience.

There is a lot to discover all around in Kalakho even if you have the mildest streak of interest in rural India. Located at the distance of 298 kms from Delhi, it is a perfect excursion getaway from the maddening city life. The golden fields, hilly terrains, monsoon lakes and the stark deserts make it a worth visiting place.

Apart from exploring the rambling countryside and old monuments, there are lot of ancient temples – dating back to the 8th century. This is the ideal place to take the retreat, to enjoy the simple world pleasures and to feel the laid back charm of this traditional countryside.

It is also a birder’s paradise. Every year thousand of migratory birds fly to the forested area of Kalakho to meet the their near and dear ones. The popular Siberian Crane can be easily spotted here along with the other species of birds. The most famous activities that the tourists can take on the tour to Kalakho includes the breathtaking desert safaris and the camel cart rides.

On the excursion trip from Kalakho you can make a visit Abhaneri, Bhangarh, Bhandarej and Madhogarh. If you like to stay here for few days – make sure you stay at the Dera Lake View, the exotic resort located in Kalahao.

Concept of industrial tourism

By definition, the tourism industry represents all forms of industrial workshop visited by tourists, students, professionals or individuals. It is becoming increasingly common and is attracting more and more visitors. Indeed, several companies are already introducing these daily activities in their monthly expenses. Whereas, most students plan in advance the programs of visits to factories to practice their theoretical studies.

Most of these explorations are not free and visiting hours are usually fixed in advance. The costs of visits are considered some valued information (useful for each industry) and not all companies are willing to give exhibition hours to visitors even for payment in return. These offers may be samples of their products, tasting their produced food stuff, or authorizing visitors to test operate their plant equipments. In addition, these plants administrators have their definite reason to plan specific hours to prepare for what they want to perform before the visitors and to conceal their production data they want to keep secret.

Many manufacturing sectors are affected by this type of tourism, but the most dynamic are agro-food manufacturing and handicrafts. For example, we find the manufacturing plant of the Mauritius Phoenix Breweries, makers of the famous Mauritian beer who have their formula and their recipe kept unchanged from the first day of operation. They provide a tour of 60 people on average every hour and offer adults the opportunity to taste the beer of their establishment despite their service is free. We can also take the example of the great workshop Cornille-Havard, in France, producing bells in a modern way using the technology of computer. They receive a large number of tourists every year and their visiting cost is 3.35 euros per each person.

However, there are still other companies that are very famous in the organization of free visiting hours to the public and to their clients to visit their factories. We have another example of the Rance Energy power plant, in France, producer of electricity and represented in trade by the EDF, which alone hosts over 200 000 visitors each year and thus takes a place among the most visited industrial sites in the world. There is also the Airbus site that offers a tour bus with professional guides for only 9 Euros an hour and offers its customers the panels and models showing the manufacture of aircraft.

So, the tourism industry is not for only few sectors, almost all economic activities were launched into the breach. In fact, all have received the benefits they could draw to open the doors of their factories to the public.

The benefits of Industrial Tourism.

For businesses, visits by the public in its workshops are proving to be a relevant and enjoyable way to become known. While the objectives of these tourists are not directly in the interest of the industry in question since their first goal is simple curiosity, but these needs have discovered a very effective advertising impact for the company. This applies to EDF, which by opening its doors to the public who wants to have the wrong idea about the job, immediately perceived an increase in its customer base and thereby increase its turnover. In other words, the communication to the public enables companies to develop their brand image and customer loyalty.

For the public, the tourism industry can acquire new knowledge. Indeed, the fact of entering the heart of the action responds to many questions: how does a manufacturer make the ink of a pen? Where does one find the materials to produce porcelain plates? What are the steps and procedures to produce wine or other soft drinks? Furthermore, it is also a way to guide young students about what they want to do in their life, level of study they should attain to achieve the profession of their dream.

But the tourism industry also has a positive effect on regional and national levels. Indeed, by agreeing to inform the public about the technology and economic heritage of the region, an industry of a region is another challenge to do better. This type of healthy competition does not kill the company but the push to always improve

Finally, realizing that globalization is a forced direction, companies in all areas are encouraged to connect with the global economic order and not to remain a laggard.

Introduction

Information technology has influenced all walks of our lives over the last few decades in a tremendous manner with the Tourism and Travel sector being one of the chief beneficiaries. The introduction of computers can be traced back to the early 60’s when the vacuum tube was the primary component of computer systems. This was largely inefficient and error prone and soon gave way to transistors which were replaced by Integrated Circuits. Now the technological advances have allowed advanced graphics integrated with moving images and sound to be incorporated into the modern computers.

The Tourism product being largely intangible stands to gain a lot from technology. Travel was considered a risk in the early days mainly due to the fact that the knowledge about the terrain, climate, culture etc of the destination was limited or unknown. Only the adventurous and men in quest for newer pastures ventured into such journeys. With the advent of IT into the travel sector, things have changed. Travel has become much more enjoyable and comfortable. The modern day traveller has a plethora of options to choose from, with Internet being the favourite haunt for the potential traveller. Places of tourist interest and scenic beauty often do not catch the attention of the customer largely due to the fact that they are not marketed well. Internet in the early days did not support graphics, video, sound etc. Hence the tourism products could not be marketed over the net effectively. Now things have drastically changed with the introduction of protocols like the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). This has led to easier transmission of graphical images, music, videos etc over the net with speed and clarity. Thus tourism has been effectively marketed over the Internet. This has led to the mushrooming of Tourism and Travel sites.

There are number of software which cater to the needs of the tourism and hospitality sectors. Travel agencies, tour operators, hotels etc use modern systems equipped with powerful applications that work on huge databases. Computerised front office has lent elegance to the modern offices which are largely paperless. Office automation has led to efficient and accurate information processing. A person armed with the right information is the most powerful in the modern era. Computerised systems are used to extract information out of the voluminous quantities of data store in databases. Querying a database, be it for reservation enquiry or booking a ticket is in the hands of the end user. The customer is the king and rightly so has a number of options to choose from when embarking on a journey or getting information about a tourist spot.

Earlier users of computer systems were required to be experts. Even starting up the system required a computer operator. Only then the application could be run. Now systems with Graphical User Interface (GUI) and the WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) technologies, even a layman or a child is able to operate a computer or access internet. A person who doesn’t know the local language at a place has information at his finger tips with the advent of touch screen facilities. Almost all banks have now introduced ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) facilities at their premises so as to allow the customers to access their accounts any time of the day.

In the Kerala scenario the advent of IT has been restricted to travel agencies using reservation systems and development of websites by Governmental and non-Governmental agencies. Also office automation is in place in with the accounting process also being computerized. The official website of Kerala Tourism has won many national and international accolades as being one of the best sites in tourism worldwide. In the education sector institutes such as the Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) has imparted IT education in Tourism sector by giving hands on training to students in GDSs (Global Distribution Systems) and computerized applications. Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) has also fully computerized their reservations and a tourist can easily book a room through the net. Hotels have linked their systems to other global systems so as to establish a link worldwide. Let us examine in brief the applications of IT in Tourism.

Global Distribution Systems

Global Distribution Systems (GDS) have evolved over the years and has played a major role in making online travel possible. A Computer Reservation System (CRS) is used to store and retrieve information and conduct transactions related to travel. They were originally developed by airlines, but it was later extended to travel agents as a sales channel. A functionality of CRS has been extended and what is known as the Global Distribution Systems came into existence. The major CRS operations that book and sell tickets to multiple airlines are known as GDS. Many airlines have opted to divest most of their holdings to Global Distribution Systems due to which many systems are now accessible to consumers through Internet gateways for hotels, car rental agencies, and other services as well as airline tickets. A traveller or a travel agent can chalk out an itinerary using a GDS which is a global system interconnecting airlines, hotels, travel agents, car rental companies, cruise liners etc. The four major Global Distribution Systems are AMADEUS, GALILEO, SABRE and WORLDSPAN. AMADEUS boasts of a market share of 31% and is followed by SABRE with 30% of the market, GALILEO with 26% and WORLDSPAN which has captured 12% of the market.

Today’s GDS systems have the following capabilities

• Available and accessible 99.9% of the time
• Process up to 17,000 messages per second during peak time
• Operates on cutting edge enterprise systems architecture
• Enjoys response times of a fraction of a second
• Is capable of booking a multitude of transactions
• Can make itinerary changes up to the last minute and complete complex international routings to every country in the world
• Automates the time consuming and complex process of re-pricing airline tickets when itineraries change
• Permits customers to send e-mail and faxes without exiting from the system
• Allows customers to compare fares and availability in order to shop for the most convenient travel at the lowest cost
• Stores all data related to the tens of millions of travellers securely so that the customers receive the travel preferences they desire

On a given day a GDS can access

• Over a billion fare combinations
• More than 95% of the available seats worldwide
• More than 750 airlines
• More than 50,000 hotel properties
• Over 400 tour operators
• Nearly 30,000 car rental locations

GDS systems are capable of booking

• One way and roundtrip airline seats
• Hotel rooms
• Rental cars
• Tours
• Cruises
• Bus and rail tickets
• Insurance
• Limousines
• Event and theatre attractions
• Dining Reservations
• Itinerary Changes
• Complex international routings

E-TicketingAn electronic ticket or e-ticket is a means by which a passenger or a group of passengers can ensure their seat in a commerical airline by booking over the internet. This greatly reduces the procedures associated with issusing a paper ticket, which consists of a number of copies. Both the airlines and the passenger are benefited by this form of ticketing. An image of the ticket is stored in the computer from which the customer can take a print out and board the plane directly if he or she is carrying no luggage. If there is luggage after obtaining the clearance the passenger can board the aircraft. The customer can request that a hardcopy confirmation be sent by postal mail, but it is not needed at the check-in desk. A confirmation number is assigned to the passenger, along with the flight number, date, departure location, and destination location. When checking in at the airport, the passenger simply presents positive identification. Then necessary boarding passes are issued, and the passenger can check luggage and proceed through security to the gate area.

The main advantage of e-ticketing is the fact that it reduces booking expense by eliminating the need for printing and mailing paper documents. Another advantage is that it eliminates the possibility of critical documents getting lost in the mail or being sent to the wrong address. It is estimated that globally about 25% of the passengers book their tickets online which has resulted in the booming of low cost fliers.

The Internet has provided a new economic environment to conduct business. E-commerce is a growing sector and many tourism businesses are involved in developing their internet services including traditional travel agents, tour operators, national tourist offices, airlines, hotels and other accommodation providers and car hire firms. This means of doing business is known as ‘e-tourism’, or ‘tourism e-business’. The key differences from traditional markets are the speed at which information can be communicated, global accessibility and the minimal costs of establishing a business online.

Property Management Systems

As the term indicates, property management systems refer to systems which have been used world wide to manage and effectively control the various day to day and other procedures related to managing large properties. Even in Kerala, these systems are used in large scale.

The core functions which a PMS can handle are reservations, front office operations, some back office operations and some managerial functions. A PMS is commonly used for handling the accounting functions of the various departments in a Hotel. This is in addition to being the hub for all interconnectivity with other systems in the hotel. Just as a person, who is cut off from the rest of his colleagues during work a standalone computer is not of much use. Hence a networked environment is provided whereby a server can cater to the needs of the end-user who may be a manager to receptionist or a waiter. This is achieved by networking the systems and sharing of resources. Software may be developed to suit the needs of the hotel which may have a front end and a back end. A front end is user interface, through which data may be entered or information retrieved. The back end may consist of a RDBMS which acts as the storage hub. Queries and reports may be used to retrieve information. For example, if a guest wants to know details regarding tariffs during off season, a click of the mouse may be sufficient to retrieve information.

Virtual Reality Systems

Virtual reality is a relatively new area which is related to artificial intelligence and neural networks. Artificial intelligence is an area where technology has made rapid strides in recent years. Human beings have been blessed with intelligence which ranges from their ability to remember things to inventing gadgets and making life more meaningful. It goes without saying that human brain is an amazing and intricate organ which has till date not been surpassed by even the fastest super computer. It is doubtful if such thing will happen in future too. But artificial intelligence has paved pathways to new gadgets and robots which help man in potentially dangerous and intricate tasks.

Tourism has in addition to the natural attractions, theme parks, man made rides, simulations etc. Singapore, Disneyland etc house some of most fabulous man made wonders thanks to IT and its applications. Particularly theme parks and rides along with recreation of fantasies and dinosaurs have added mileage to tourist destinations.

Virtual Travel

With the ever increasing need to use the net, Tourism has entered a new era. Virtual travel has gained popularity and a tourist if he wishes can use the various tools and internet and sit at the comfort of his office or home and do a virtual travel. Earlier there used to armchair travelogue creators who used to design the show from articles and hearsays. But now travel writing has been simplified just because there is a plethora of information in CD’s, brochures and on the net.

There are even virtual travel agencies on the net which offers a tour through its gallery and offers a great deal of information. Gone are the days when a guide used to take travelers for ride narrating several cock and bull stories and feeding the customers with false information. Virtual travellers are more informed and many of them do not even need an introduction to a destination which they plan to visit.

In addition to the virtual tour of the real world, artificially created virtual worlds are there, waiting to be explored. These sites offer a free package for a week which can be downloaded. After going through this demo, the user can see the real stuff, if he registers online and pays for it. This is a trend which is fast catching on. After all globalization has shrunk the world and it wouldn’t be long time before new destinations in the cyber world comes up.

Travel Recommender Systems

Travel has become a part and parcel in the lives of human beings. Efforts from travel agencies and tour operators coupled with inputs from Governmental organizations have resulted in great changes which have eased the hardships placed on the traveller. The modern day traveller has a plethora of options to choose from when planning his trip. Travel Recommender Systems though in its infancy has established its utility value in travel planning. In the coming years, its importance as tool in aiding travel planning will be indispensable. A few recommender systems are available in the market that give the tour operator or the customer options to remove the intangibility associated with the product. Austria is one of the few countries which have introduced Recommender Systems to the travelling public and have found favourable response from the users. Recommending a travel plan consists of many aspects such as the destination type, location specific information, seasonal specific recommendations etc. All this has to be presented to the user in a customer friendly manner so that he or she can input the options to the system which in turn will suggest the most recommended travel plan. These systems use artificial intelligence and fall under the category of expert systems.

Geographic Information Systems

The usage of maps dates back to centuries. Man has been using maps for guidance and for locating places. With the advancement of computer technology and graphics, maps have been digitised and used for providing accurate and timely information to users. Databases have been combined with computer graphics in the area of GIS.

GIS is used to display and analyse spatial data which are linked to databases. This connection between spatial data and databases is the driving force behind the working of a GIS. Maps can be drawn from the database and data can be referenced from the maps. When the database is updated, the associated map also gets updated. GIS database include a wide variety of information including geographic, social, political, environmental and demographic data. GIS technology is a computer based data collection, storage and analysis tool that combines previously unrelated information into easily understood maps. A GIS can perform complicated analytical functions and present the results visually as maps, tables or graphs, allowing decision-makers to visually see the issues before them and then select the best course of action.

GIS finds wide applications in Tourism especially in mapping Tourist destinations, hotels etc. The end user can pin point a destination and even browse the hotel room in which he or she plans to stay.

Conclusion

On the whole it can be said that Information technology has left an indelible mark in the application area of Tourism and Travel. In the coming years, areas like Travel Recommender Systems, GIS, Space Tourism etc will gain popularity and will help in giving a new dimension to the travel and tourism sector. Kerala Tourism which has established its presence in the global market will bank on these applications to further propel its growth trajectory. The International market which is growing has been given a shot in the arm with introduction of IT and will stand to gain further from it.

Over the last ten years the travel industry has had to tackle terrorism, SARS, tsunamis, bird flu, swine flu, and the first ever true global recession. Through it all the industry has proven to be robust, resilient and dynamic, finding new ways to deal with adversity. 2010 brings with it fresh challenges and opportunities to which the industry must again adapt and react. The cyclical nature of the industry stems from the fact that it is inextricably linked to the health of the global economy. As you would imagine therefore, the next twelve months promise significant change in the travel industry. This article will focus on emerging trends and hotspots for 2010 and give an insight into what can be expected by consumer and operator alike.

“If our hotel bookings are anything to go by, people are still determined to travel but are choosing how and where they spend their money much more carefully,” commented Juliet Kinsman, Editor-in-Chief of Mr and Mrs Smith. “Value will continue to be important, whether that means creative online searching for great deals, exploring new destinations that offer currency advantages, or joining travel clubs for exclusive discounts.” Indeed, reflecting on the current economic setting, many travel professionals have commented on new bargains, noting that it’s expected that value for money will be the top priority, with concept and branding taking a backseat in the coming years. Travellers are looking for an optimal price/quality balance when selecting their luxury vacation.

Furthermore, travellers are demanding far more from their holidays – gone are the days of a the simple sun/sand combo – nowadays the demand is for exotic travel combined with customized, ultimate experiences. Travellers are seeking above-and-beyond adventures in exciting new destinations. Luxury adventure travel is on the rise and consumers can enjoy a growing selection of luxury safaris, heli-ski trips, niche boat cruises, personalized art tours, tailor-made culinary courses, and high-speed car tours in top vacation destinations like Cape Town, Provence, Tuscany and New York. Moreover, adventure travellers are seeking more than just adrenaline thrills but wholesome cultural quests in which they learn about their destination and environment. Indeed, as claimed by the Vacation Travel Chanel ‘… the more enriching experiences are preferred over a luxurious lifestyle.’

Additionally, although neither a newcomer nor a veteran, eco travel is definitely carving its place into the travel market. Hotels are becoming increasingly self-sufficient and travellers are considering a hotel’s environmental credentials a lot more. 2010 will therefore see a continued rise of intimate, sustainable villa resorts developing in eco-friendly destinations. Two such examples are Fregate, a private island in the Seychelles, which is saving sea birds and makes its own spa products, and Vigilius Mountain resort South Tyrol, Italy, which harnesses its own natural energy. Green travel promises exciting adventures and conscientious travel experiences.

Not technically a trend but it’s worth noting that 2010 will be a sport-fuelled year and that this will have a huge impact on where people choose to travel. First and foremost, the Vancouver Olympics in February is an event that will significantly affect the travel industry. The 17 days of Olympics are expected to attract a global television audience of 3 billion people; more than 80 countries and 6,850 athletes and officials are expected to participate according to the ‘PRCo Travel Industry Trends and Highlights for 2010′ report. The opening ceremonies will be held on February 12, and as a result Vancouver is the city to visit in the Western hemisphere in 2010. South Africa is also going to be a travel hotspot with the 2010 FIFA World Cup kicking off there in June. The event is expected to lure half a million fans to the country. Tourism in India will also enjoy the benefits of sporting events with the Commonwealth Games taking place in October.

Other destinations to keep your eye on this year are China, India and the Gulf States, where industry insiders are expecting travel to skyrocket over the next twelve months. Travellers are becoming more courageous with their travels and expanding their horizons. While the global economy is in the toilet, China and India continue to show signs of growth, offer favourable exchange rates and low travel expenses and therefore increasingly warrant visiting. As their respective tourism industries start to expand these countries are going to become top destinations for 2010 and beyond. According to sceneadvisor.com, between China and India alone it is expected that over 35,000 hotel rooms will have to be added to meet the impending demands.

On the other side of the planet, Latin America is set to see important growth as a luxury travel destination this year. Hotels such as Francis Ford Coppola’s Blancaneaux Lodge in Belize, the Haciendas luxury hotel in the Yucatan, and other outposts in San Jose, Uayamon, Santa Rosa and Temozon (Mexico) are but a few examples of the growth of luxury hotels in the region. In the spotlight especially are Panama, Peru and Ecuador, which are focusing massively on promoting their respective exotic and exclusive services. In addition, Mexico is spending $3.6 million on improving its luxury infrastructure and Argentina is to see five new 5-star hotels open in the next two years (PRCo report).

Whilst Europe is by all means still a hub, especially with the new high-speed rail links into Spain and Italy, the focus for 2010 is definitely further afield where exchange rates are better and currency is cheaper, therefore offering the consumer much more for their money.

Despite belts remaining tightened, 2010 is a year in which 80 per cent of Brits are planning on taking at least one holiday according to a recent report from Thomson. Indeed, as proclaimed by STA travel, this year will see the rise of the two week adventure holiday. According to the group there has been a sharp rise in the number of people planning action-packed two-week breaks, marking a clear departure from the ’staycation,’ last year’s top travel trend. Commenting on 26th January, as official figures revealed that the country had exited recession, Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) spokesman Ian Bradley said that travellers who forwent a holiday last year will be keen on heading abroad this year: “Most people will be looking for sun and for value. Places like North Africa and the Middle East will probably give you that…” There is no doubt that ‘value’ will be the operative word for 2010.

Firstly, it goes without saying that destinations outside the eurozone offer the best value on holiday money because they offer the best currency exchange rates. The ‘White Med’ in northern Egypt is especially enticing at present as it’s crystal clear waters, pristine beaches, cultural heritage, and leisure and sport activities are available at excellent value and set to be easily accessible with new direct flights from Gatwick and Manchester commencing on 30th March. Jamaica has become the most affordable long haul destination this year with the pound strengthening against the Jamaican dollar in recent months. Sarah Munro, head of Post Office Travel Services, noted that there has been a 24 per cent rise in sterling against the Jamaican currency in the past 12 months, making the Caribbean country far more affordable to visit. Research from the group also revealed St Lucia to be the most expensive of the top four most popular Caribbean islands. On the other side of the globe, tourists planning a trip down under will get an incredible experience for their money according to Tourism Western Australia. Elen Thomas, UK PR manager for the tourism board, said that resorts in Exmouth and Coral Bay offer great budget accommodation options while still providing the unforgettable holiday experience one would expect from a visit to Australia. “It is still roughly two dollars to the pound and the experience of swimming with such a wide variety of marine life in an area which has remained so pristine and undeveloped is extraordinary,” commented Thomas.

Closer to home, Spain’s position as one of the most popular holiday destinations is unlikely to change while it continues to offer exceptional value for money, Cheapflights.co.uk has claimed. Commenting recently, Francesca Ecsery, global sales director of the price comparison site, said the country’s reliable warm weather, vibrant culture and beautiful natural landscape make it an attractive destination at any price, but its affordability has made it a hugely popular destination for Brits. “Consumers will get the best value on Spanish holidays by being flexible on time, flexible on destination and travelling out of peak season,” she said, adding that by choosing to travel in late summer, holidaymakers could save as much as 70 per cent on ticket prices compared to peak-season costs. According to a recent Post Office Travel Services report, Spain is now the cheapest holiday destination in the eurozone. Balkan countries, such as Croatia and Slovenia, also offer an exciting and cost-effective travel experience. Simon Calder, senior travel editor at the Independent, however identified Albania as a particularly popular destination offering exceptional value for those planning a holiday on a shoestring.

For those looking to get away for a value ski holiday this winter should be looking in the same region. Bulgaria has emerged as a great destination for ski-enthusiasts looking to hit the pistes on a budget. Anthony Chenery, travel expert at Teletext Holidays, said that the winter travel market has suffered in recent years because many view skiing as a secondary holiday and when holiday money is hard to come by it is these trips that are likely to be sidelined. However, he added: “The good news for customers is that operators, to stimulate demand, have been cutting their prices quite significantly, which is great news if you want to go skiing as there are some excellent deals to be had.” In addition to Bulgaria, Andorra was also identified as a leading bargain winter travel destination.

There are therefore plenty of affordable destinations to be enjoyed this year and increasingly so as the pound beings to strengthen against the euro, if rather shakily. In order to get the best value travellers will benefit from taking the time to research foreign currency exchange rates online for their chosen destination and, in so doing, avoid uncompetitive high-street rates.

Dubai, one of the most important emirates in UAE, is the second largest in terms of area after Abu Dhabi. It has the largest population and possesses a veto power over critical matters of national importance in the country’s legislature. Dubai’s economy, like other cities in Middle East, Gulf and UAE is also built chiefly on its oil reserves. But, with government efforts of diversifying, main revenues in Dubai come from tourism, real estate and financial industry.

Dubai has emerged as a global city and a business hub that has been attracting world attention. Its large innovative construction projects, sports events, conferences and Guinness records have interested many in the city. Tourism industry has achieved rapid growth as one of the major driving force of Dubai’s economy. So much so, that it has carved a niche among the main tourist destinations of the world and will continue to gain significant growth in the coming decade. Dubai is viewed by many as the ‘Pearl of the Middle East’ as tourists from all over the world flock the destination to experience the magic of its endless beaches, sensational shopping malls and luxury hotels.

There are plenty of travel and tourism jobs available in the city in various places like:
(a) Tourism Department, (b) Travel Agencies, (c) Hotels, (d) Road and Airlines travel companies, (e) Tour Operators, (f) Time Share Companies and (g) Holiday Consultants. Dubai offers jobs in tourism industry Sales Managers, Operations executives, IT executives, finance executives and managers.

Initially, tourists were apprehensive about entering the city of Dubai due to its conservative religious beliefs and strict laws. But, today’s Dubai is liberal as well as tolerant and respectful towards ignorance of the visitors. Some of the general guidelines for visiting Dubai include dressing up modestly in public and being considerate of local religious practices. It has some of the most wonderful hotels fully equipped with modern amenities and services. Most of the hotels are four stars and expensive; the likes of Hyatt Regency, Oasis Beach Hotel, Crowne Plaza, etc. in Dubai cost $220 per night and suites charge anything from $280 to $2800 per night depending on your requirements. Millennium Airport Hotel, Hilton Jumeirah, Hilton Dubai Creek, etc. cost slightly cheaper. So, one traveling to Dubai is required to research well before booking an accommodation in the city.

The vastness of the travel and tourism industry of Dubai can be conjured by the fact that tourists from as far as Eastern Europe, Africa and Indian Subcontinent. It offers incomparable variety of products at reasonable prices due to low import duties. Its shopping festivals are world famous and lure shoppers from around the globe to take a sneak peak into the marvelous collection. The above facts clearly point at the humungous industry of tourism of Dubai as shoppers, nature lovers, real estate investors and other kinds of people visit the city to view its spectacular buildings, sports events and conferences.

Such huge industry provides ample opportunities for professionals to explore a lucrative tourism career in Dubai. It extends jobs in travel sector for those well qualified and highly trained in the profession. Dubai is planning to expand its tourism industry by doubling its hotel capacities to cater to the growing number of tourists coming to the city every year. It has a huge scope for those looking for building a career in the travel and tourism sector in this happening city of UAE.

From ticketing and reservation staff to travel consultants to account managers, all travel professionals are in high demand in Dubai. So, apply now for a job in tourism industry in the beautiful city of Dubai.

Very few will argue against the importance of tourism that has slowly became the lifeline of many third world countries and a money pumping machine that pumps millions of dollars into their economies. Once the word tourism pops up, people immediately and rightly connected it with camera totting tourists, frantically busy airports, cozy hotels, enchanting ancient monuments, gentle touches of hospitality service providers, and last but definitely not the least, dollars, traveler’s checks, and credit cards passing to and fro widening the eyes of people from the young half naked street children running around after the kind looking tourists to the policy making statesmen in their finest suits and decision making tycoons busy shopping for the latest passenger planes. And it is also impossible to overlook the huge number of employment opportunities in the service industries associated with tourism like transportation services, hospitality services, entertainment venues, shopping malls, various music venues and the theaters.

But there exists still another very important contribution tourism has made locally to individual countries and globally to the planet itself.

When I first arrived in Egypt I was bewildered, like everyone who got the chance to tread on this land, by the ghosts of ancient Egypt. The ancient structures, the embalmed remains of the pharaohs, the golden masks, all wonderfully preserved through centuries just for me to see! Then there was the Old Cairo. It was on the other side of the modern Cairo. The structures, and somehow, even the people living there seemed most wonderfully preserved. Unlike the Zamalek area in Cairo where I was living, Old Cairo exists in a dimension of its own, and maybe also in another time zone. There we can see massive mosques, ancient Coptic churches, Roman walls, roads made of stone and earth. The local people, who strangely blend with the part of the city where they seemed to have traveled together across the centuries, filled the streets and the bazaars. Then, there were of course, the tourists. They were there, taking pictures, talking with the locals, buying souvenirs, and enjoying themselves with whatever that enchanted them.

Another place I’ve been to that was equally intriguing to me was Manila. Philippines is unique among the Southeast Asian countries in that it has many affinities with the Western world, derived mainly from the cultures of Spain, Latin America, and the United States. Though one cannot find the ancient Coptic churches and Romans walls like in Old Cairo, Manila has also preserved its own past which proved no less interesting if not equally ancient. Like in Cairo, what attracted me in Manila was not much the modern Makati District where I was living but the famous Intramuros.

Intramuros is a walled city in Manila, built by the Spanish in the 1500’s. Intramuros, literally means – “within the walls”. Originally, Manila’s boundaries were the city walls. But due to the growing size of the city, it expanded far outside these walls. Today, Intramuros contains many museums, Christian churches and an old Spanish fort. And once again, they were well preserved. Here also, together with the colonial structures and Spanish cannons, we see the smiling tourists wearing their sombreros to protect themselves from the sun.

When I finally got to Burma, I found myself once again fascinated by another ancient city, Bagan. Here also, Bagan seemed to be another world centuries away from Rangoon. Located in upper Burma, its 2000 ancient pagodas and temples were once again frozen up for me to see. And once again, when I heard the clicks of the camera buttons, I know that standing beside me will be my friendly tourists, though this time they may be wearing something else instead of a sombrero.
Sitting on the dusty pavements beside a thousand year old Coptic church, leaning against a Spanish Cannon, and gazing at the ancient murals once viewed by ancient Burmese kings, I thanked everyone involved in keeping them intact just for me to see. And I’m sure each and every tourist felt just the same. They must rightly feel thankful.

Apart from all the influx of tourists, the flow of cash, job opportunities produced, the music and the laughter, I also saw something quietly happening. What I’m referring to is – the work of preservation.

And I believe we also owe a little to the camera totting tourist with the sombrero.

Yes, there have always been genuine desires to preserve. There are definitely national, cultural, historical, archeological, and God knows what other genuine reasons and efforts in preserving all these.

But I think that it would be very difficult for someone to say that all these preservation works of ancient structures, artifacts, cultural settings, festivals, natural wild parks and the white sandy beaches will receive this much care without the motivation and financial support of the tourist industry.

They came from different faraway places to see these, and maybe some of these are still here now only because they came and will still be coming… to see them.

P.S. – Whose living room doesn’t look more sparkling on the day a guest is expected to come, even more still, if he is supposed to be bringing along some expensive French wine?

We all shine our rooms everyday, but on certain days, they are just shinier.

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