Vikas Madhukar and Deependra Sharma
This paper aims to investigate the role of information technology (IT) applications in the profitability of the Indian travel and tourism industry.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the role of information technology (IT) applications in the profitability of the Indian travel and tourism industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative research was conducted and an in-depth interview technique was applied for the collection of primary data. Traditional travel agents, tour operators, online travel agents and hoteliers in Gurgaon were investigated to explore issues pertaining to the study, and all responses were recorded and later transcribed. The identities of interviewees and their properties are not revealed to preserve confidentiality.
Findings
The analysis reveals that IT plays a significant role in the profitability of the tourism and travel industry. These include competitive pricing attained via dynamic pricing especially in the hotel industry, promotion and improved efficiency in rendering services to tourists and access to tourists virtually anywhere and at any time.
Practical implications
The findings have direct and indirect implications for different stakeholders – notably, travelers, owners and executives of businesses in the travel industry, as well as for researchers. Executives and owners can discern the critical implications of adopting IT to take their businesses to a new level. They should also be able to appreciate the fact that to remain competitive, practitioners must explore the potential opportunities emerging through IT.
Originality/value
Organizations in this sector are moving from traditional business models to more technologically dependent approaches. In particular, this study shows how the use of IT applications is influencing the profitability of the travel and tourism industry especially in India.
Details
Keywords
The study aims to provide a comparative analysis of diverse challenges faced by different categories of hotels during the adoption of technological innovation. It also examines…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to provide a comparative analysis of diverse challenges faced by different categories of hotels during the adoption of technological innovation. It also examines the role of technological innovations in enhancing the customer experience from a practitioner’s perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative research is used to better understand the prevailing trends and execution challenges, using the interview method of collecting data. The sample includes owners and senior managers responsible for managing the property.
Findings
Indian hotels have lagged behind in technology adoption compared with their western counterparts, though the situation is now changing. The paper highlights the positive impact of technological innovation on customer experience and also identifies constraints in adopting technological innovations.
Research limitations/implications
All hotels participating in this study were selected from a single region of India. Hence, the results may not be a true representation of comparable hotels nationwide.
Practical implications
Findings of this study enable hotel managers and owners to appreciate the role of technological innovation as a differentiator and to understand a variety of nuances associated with technological innovation. Understanding of these dimensions will enable them to take cautious decisions about allocating resources for technological innovation and also to ensure that their customers are being offered maximum value-for-money.
Originality/value
The study was conducted in a developing economy where technological innovation is at a relatively early stage. This study explores its objectives from a practitioner’s perspective.
Details
Keywords
Gunjan M. Sanjeev and Richard Teare
The paper aims to profile the theme issue of Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes titled “How is the need for innovation being addressed by the Indian hospitality industry?”…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to profile the theme issue of Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes titled “How is the need for innovation being addressed by the Indian hospitality industry?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editor, contributors from the industry and academia and the theme issue outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editor to reflect on the rationale for their theme issue question, the starting-point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process.
Findings
It highlights recent innovations that have taken place in the Indian hospitality industry especially in the areas of customer service, cost competitiveness, culinary management, revenue management and technology.
Practical implications
As hotel sector investment in India intensifies, this theme issue will be of interest to hoteliers, policy makers, analysts and others interested in the role that innovation can play in helping to facilitate differentiation between competing hotel products and services.
Originality/value
There is limited literature available on industry innovations in the Indian context. All the papers in this theme issue were written after several cycles of interaction between academics and practitioners and so they incorporate real–time, relevant and contemporary data.
Details
Keywords
Gunjan M. Sanjeev and Richard Teare
The purpose of this paper is to profile the experiences of the theme editor and the writing team of Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) theme issue “What should…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to profile the experiences of the theme editor and the writing team of Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) theme issue “What should Indian tourism and hospitality managers focus on to stay competitive in the coming decade?”
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editor to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process.
Findings
This paper identifies key issues shaping the Indian tourism and hospitality industry and some of the implications for managers. It also identifies ways of improving competitiveness and some of the ways in which the Indian Government (at national and state levels) is investing in and facilitating community-focussed tourism development.
Practical implications
The theme issue outcomes provide lines of enquiry for others to explore and reinforce the value of WHATT’s approach to collaborative working and writing.
Originality/value
This paper draws on discussion and applied research with industry to identify and assess the likely impact of innovation, information technology, social media and related developments on tourism and hospitality industry development in India. The theme issue collection of this paper provides a rich picture of the occurring changes and prospects for the future.