Role of ICT for Businesses in Tourism Sector in India

Abstract

Tourism sector is an important contributor to the Indian economy as it provides foreign exchange, employment opportunities, promotes capital investment, among other benefits. This paper aims to study the current role of ICT for businesses in tourism industry in India. The objectives of this study are to understand the current usage of ICT in tourism industry in India by businesses as well as consumers, the gap that limits its usage, and suggest measures to improve the role of ICT in tourism industry in India. The findings indicate that tourists are likely to research about tourism destinations/products/services online and buy the same on online platforms due to reasons such as convenience, ease of comparing options and discounts. Additionally, tourists are likely to use location-based services, travel and tourism related apps, and Wi-Fi services while travelling. However, these platforms hinder tourists due to lack of point of contact and fear of financial theft.