Introduction
We often face ICT or Information and Communication Technologies without knowing that there is one. ICT is when technology to networked computers took place which leads to office automation, workflow, groupware, process redesign, knowledge management and information system. ICT does help transforming hotel business especially on booking hotel rooms system.
As the time flows to the network era, the processes of hotel operations have changes, from the paper and manual works to the online business. In the past, people make hotel room reservation by making calls to the hotels or travel agencies or do in-house visit. For this process, telephone becomes an essential and the main channel to bargain deals and price comparisons on hotel stays. Yet, it was not good enough since the flow of the information can’t be reached to the target market. Individuals must make several calls to several hotels to compare the prices. Moreover, the individuals cannot find the level of services and cleanliness by using phone.
With the advance technology now, online hotel reservations are becoming a popular method to book hotel rooms. With Internet, consumers can view the map of the hotels’ location. Pictures of hotels and rooms; information on prices and deals; information on hotels’ amenities and information on local attraction places near the hotels. Internet helps the potential customers to browse through the hotels around the world and compare the facilities and rates easily. Potential consumers can also check on tripadvisor.com for the unbiased hotels reviews before confirming the book.
AsiaTravel is a B2C (Business to Consumer) dealing in transaction brokering eCommerce. There’s no administrative cost for hotels to prove the online booking service. The booking software can be connected regularly through aggregators. Most of the hotels offer online booking services to remain competitive in today’s travel market. Planning a vacation has never been easier and more reasonable than now. Easiness, affordable pricing, and single comparison shopping make online hotel bookings accepted by all.
Design
AsiaTravel are designed specifically to help potential customers to find information about hotels’ ranking star, the prices and the best deal or offer that hotels are having currently.
AsiaTravel also provides further information about hotels’ address, check-in time, the distance from airport to each hotel, hotel’s amenities, images, maps and hotel’s description. They also help airline company by selling their air tickets.
Not only AsiaTravel gives hotels booking service, but also it provides tour package. It has choices of country like China, Indonesia, Cambodia, etc.
Strength and weaknesses
The information communication technology (ICT) has been upgraded overtime. It allows the business to communicate with business (B2B) and consumer (B2C) directly. Nevertheless, ICT is commonly use nowadays but it still has some strength and weaknesses.
The following comparison will show the strength and weakness of AsiaTravel.com and HolidayInn.com.
AsiaTravel.com provides hotel and flight booking as well. They attract people using various advertisements and pictures within 1 page. In other words, 1 page includes a lot of info. Another function that benefits the travelers is under the TravelTV and Reviews section. TravelTV section which provides knowledge of the various places the travelers want to be with videos. It provides the ranking of convenience, cleanliness, rooms, location, service and value for money. Beside, discount and insurance has taken as an importance issue. To gain more trust from the travelers, testimonial and investor relations section are made. The business information of the AsiaTravel.com not only serves to travelers but also for investor as well.
Similarly with AsiaTravel.com, HolidayInn.com also enables individuals to book hotel worldwide with varying preference. Both of them also provides feedback and customer service which are available for 24 hours. HolidayInn.com is different from AsiaTravel.com because they gives discount to senior (62+) and rewards membership. As we can see HolidayInn focuses their target to Americans and Europeans and rate preference options which are using the "terms" that is used commonly in America and Europe. As the result, it has created the barrier for other nations to access and understand the information.
According to complaintsboard.com, it has shown the disadvantages of online hotel room reservation. Basically, all the complaints are all about overcharging to the travelers’ credit card. This shows that sometimes the online booking become ineffective and causes travelers to suffer. The travelers will be able the adsorb all the information only on the screen, but the actual outcome may not be as expected.
Privacy and security
As the personal information has to be submitted for confirmation, online users have to concern about the security of the websites where they submitted their information. Commonly, the most valuable personal information is the name of credit card data, address, contact information and etc. With this information, another people are able to use the personal data to create transaction without the owner permission and notice. This may take the advantage to old fashion transaction where all the reservation has been done by human. But due to technology changes the world is getting smaller, people have to adapt to the IT stuff surrounding us and aware on the privacy and security of the website.
On the other hand, online travel agencies also have to be responsive to keep the privacy of their customers securely. If they are unable to keep and continuously upgrade the security and privacy, customers will not trust them and use their competitors. As the result, online business will be committed with some particular privacy and security program, e.g. TRUSTe Privacy Seal Program,in order to make sure all individual data are kept.
Conclusion
From the statement above, it has stated that technologies are making our life easier and faster. All the information will be available everywhere and accessible for 24 hours. As the result, hotel business becomes more competitive. Nevertheless, the advantage will be felt by customers as well. They will have more choices for comparison and sources for making decision. Yet, positive issues are combining with negative outcomes. E-business system has chances of breaking down at anytime. Moreover, security and privacy has been an important issue recently. Hence, ICT is a good and important tool which is useful for all kind of businesses. But the system needs update consistently to fight with the negative sides.
