Tourism Businesses Warned They Must Embrace New Technology

Friday, 22nd February 2008

Categories: What's New, Business Support, IT & Technology

Travelmole, an online community for the travel and tourism industry, has reported that The head of a Scottish tourist board - the Aviemore and Cairngorms Destination Management Organisation - has warned that Scottish tourism will be "dead in the water" unless tourism businesses embrace new technology.

The comments came just ahead of Tourism Innovation day in Glasgow on the 28th February, and followed a survey of Scottish businesses that showed that 59% felt they could do better with regard to technology - a sentiment many tourism businesses across the UK will share.

Just when businesses are beginning to get their heads round issues like broadband and internet marketing, a whole new raft of technological possibilities becomes the hot topic - issues like social networking, rendering your site for mobile phones and taking part in multiple distribution channels.

Many smaller businesses, especially those that are rural-based, don't feel they have the support, information or opportunities to meet these challenges, let alone the time or know-how to get to grips with the technical requirements. More and more businesses are turning to portals - like the North East's own Desti.ne portal - to provide the infrastructure and technical umbrella for them.

Richard Vickery, head of Product Development at One NorthEast Tourism says, "If businesses don't embrace new technology - especially online booking and getting their information and booking options distributed at a lot of different websites - they may not be here in a few years' time. That is the stark reality. The research clearly shows a link between the use of computers and profit. It's that simple."

Related Information

Have you watched the new Desti.ne video giving accounts from real customers and real businesses that are using technology to make bookings and stay in touch?

n-e-life, the North East's information gateway offers advice training and events. A series of broadband, internet and IT workshops are regularly on offer, click here to find out more.

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