Evaluation, Synthesis and Formulation of Proposals for the Use of ...

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«Evaluation, Synthesis and Formulation of Proposals for the Use of ICTin the Tourism Sector»The data collected will subsequently feed the new system. It is also deemed necessary for theGovernment to consider the improvement of the legal and institutional framework in e-tourism relatedissues, the increase of the efficiency of funding procedures in the tourism sector and thedissemination of funding opportunities information to the tourist enterprises. The promotion ofsuccessful case studies by the State may also play a catalytic role, creating an environment of healthycompetition.With regard to specific issues of applications of Information and CommunicationsTechnologies in the tourism sector in Greece, the overall picture is characterized by mediocrity,both with respect to the quality of information and the functionality provided in tourist portals andwebsites, and also in general issues of ICT adoption and use of specialized information systems in thetourism sector. It is confirmed that the digital divide is especially appreciable in the Greek tourism.The differences are not only those between large enterprises and SMEs but also ones that appearwhen comparing the current situation in sectors related to tourism. A characteristic example is theculture sector which lacks in the adoption of e-methods, contrary to the transport sector. The latterpresents special actions and policies for the e-modernization of the sector.In particular for the SMEs, which are of central interest in the present study in accordance with thenational strategy for their support, there are many findings explaining the aggravation of the digitaldivide. Some reasons mentioned are: the dependence of enterprises on the traditional travel agents,the difference of attitude between old and new entrepreneurs, the lack of effective information, andthe existing support mechanisms which do not favour the implementation of really productiveinvestments. In the more specific ICT-related issues in the Greek tourism, some findings are alsodescribed which are considered opportunities for Greece, because they refer to advanced technologiesand innovative applications in tourism that are not used in directly competitive countries. With regardto technological standards, the most noticeable shortcoming in Greece concerns the accessibility bypeople with special needs.As already mentioned the proposals for the above issues complement and enhance the actions alreadyscheduled by the State. These proposals relate to the provision of integrated dynamic tourist packagesand the extension, improvement and interconnection of e-booking systems in all related sectors. Thefocusing of the Development Law for the support of tourist enterprises is considered necessary. Withregard to the more advanced technologies and innovative applications mentioned earlier, thepossibility of implementing relevant pilot actions is discussed.In human resources issues, this study examines questions of technological skills in the tourismsector, the tourist education and vocational training system, and also the overall picture in theVersion 1Month: December Year: 20076
«Evaluation, Synthesis and Formulation of Proposals for the Use of ICTin the Tourism Sector»growing of a technological culture and a tourist ethos. In the tourist education and vocational training,Greece lacks behind other countries which offer specialized courses in tourism with emphasis to ICTfor many years. Indicatively, in a recent interview to Xenia News, Professor of Tourism DevelopmentP. Tsartas at the University of the Aegean expresses the opinion that the Greek tourist studies coursesare of a “traditional character» 1 .The establishment of a new specialized university department (Department of Tourism Strategy andDevelopment at the University of Piraeus), the operation of the tourist education and training forum atthe Ministry of Tourism Development and the modernization of courses offered by the Organizationfor Tourism Education and Training (OTEK) schools, show that the State is aware of these problems.Nevertheless, Greece lacks in the technological education and vocational training, and this widens thedigital divide between Greek tourist enterprises. There is also a vicious circle evident in the tourismsector: Enterprise owners have not yet been persuaded for the benefits of an investment for theadoption of ICT methods and show much reservation towards the technological developments. As aconsequence, there are few stimuli to the technological education in tourism and the Greek ITindustry.The relevant proposals are focused to the modernization of the syllabus in tourism schools anduniversity schools and departments that offer such courses, and to ways for the transfer of know-howto tourist SMEs through the funding of their ICT training. Modern e-learning methods and theirpotential applications are also mentioned.Finally, there are issues regarding synergies and co operations, both at the level of sectors relatedto tourism and at the level of co operations and coalitions of SMEs (tourist clusters) – a fundamentalcomponent of the national strategy. With respect to the inter-sector issues, the findings mainlyconcern the lack of IT infrastructures in other sectors (e.g. culture), which prohibits the provision ofintegrated destination management and the use of it to extend the length of stay of visitors in Greece.The relative shortage of e-methods in the culture sector has already been noted. Regarding thecooperation of SMEs, several obstacles are found in the way, due to the reservations of the businessowners towards the benefits from the adoption of ICT methods and also due to the criteria forinclusion in tourist clusters. Another subject discussed is the inadequate connection between academicresearch and tourist practice.1 http://www.xenianews.gr/179/article_971.aspxVersion 1Month: December Year: 20077
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