In the past, making a hotel reservation can be a hassle by either going through an intermediary (travel agent) or via telecommunication. With such procedure, the will be extra cost and time wastage. The desire hotel may not be available due to exclusive rights given to particular travel agency and miscommunication might occur as well. Who would like to encounter such experiences when travelling should be a stress-free leisure?
All thanks to the induction of info-communication technology, we no longer need to worry such issues. Information and communication technology has brought about changes to the way organization operated, like for example this case of hotel reservation
Wikipedia states that ‘’the terms ICT should be read as "Information Technology and Communication Technology" literally to clarify its meaning which refers to the merging (convergence) of telephone networks with computer networks through a single cabling or link system. The term ICT has grown in usage out of huge economic incentives (huge cost saving due by eliminating the telephone network) to merge the telephone network with the computer network system. This in turn has spurred an industry to grow with organizations using the term ICT in their names to indicate their specialization in the process of merging the two network systems together.’’
Thus, with the help of such modern technology like computers, network communication, satellites and etc, we are able to complete the hotel reservation procedures effectively and efficiently.
For example, this could be done by entering the hotel website itself to make a room reservation or visit any other websites that provide the booking service such as ctrip.com, asia-travel, hotels.com, asiarooms, octopus, zuji.com, expedia , bookings, accomline and holidayInn.com.
In the context of ctrip.com, we are able to book any hotel room that is located in China by simply clicking on the hotel tab button. By doing so, it can bring us to the page where we can key in the city where we want to visit, the check-in and check-out date, the hotel name/type. The website also provides us with a short description of the hotel, the location, the amenities, the price, the review ratings by guests etc.
With such useful and broad-base information provided, we are also able to make comparison between hotels and make the best choice out of it. One no longer needs to physically travel down to different travel agencies nor call up different hotels to check out the price. With just a few clicks, all information are ready available. Furthermore, one can always monitor the website for promotions that fits their budget/needs without feeling pressurize by a third party presence.
However, every creation will have its social problems and challenges. Such as security, privacy and intellectual property rights, credit cards misuse, computer-related problems etc. The best solution is to minimise them by generating a higher return than cost/loss from this new century innovative technology. Information system must be designed so that they are secure, function as intended; in order to transform it into a successful investment and not so that human can control the process.
To sum up, the changes from ‘spaces of places’ communication methods to modern ‘spaces of flow’ will be an asset to the hotel industry with proper management. It’s one thing to use information technology to design, produce, deliver and maintain service. It’s another thing to make money doing it.
