Good, better, best practise – a comparative analysis of official destination websites
- Authors: Louw, Candice
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: E-tourism , Tourism websites , Official destination websites
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/259378 , uj:27289 , Citation: Louw, C. 2017. Good, better, best practise – a comparative analysis of official destination websites. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 6(3):1-13. , ISSN: 2223-814X
- Description: Abstract: The uplifting financial impact that tourism may have on local and global economies of scale has resulted in tourists becoming a highly sought-after commodity capable of turning almost any tourism destination and its attractions into thriving exports. With the rapid evolution of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the introduction of smart technologies in particular, however, tourism has become not only more accessible, but arguably also more competitive with an online, try-before-you-buy tourism experience now becoming a reality. Subsequently, the battle is no longer for top offline destination only, but also for online destination of choice. An opportunity thus exists for Official Destination Websites (ODWs) to take advantage of these, and additional opportunities, to enhance a prospective tourist’s online, pre-tourism experience. By analysing seven of the world’s most popular destinations’ capital city ODWs, we come to realise that ODWs have become an integrated, rather than independent, part of facilitating tourism. As such, the importance of developing, implementing and maintaining an ODW to increase the likelihood of a possible tourist conversion from mere browser to buyer is highlighted. Finally, the similarities and differences between the analysed ODWs are also listed in an attempt to guide prospective tourism destinations in their endeavour to establish a new ODW, as well as allowing destinations with an existing ODW to possibly implement improvements.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Louw, Candice
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: E-tourism , Tourism websites , Official destination websites
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/259378 , uj:27289 , Citation: Louw, C. 2017. Good, better, best practise – a comparative analysis of official destination websites. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 6(3):1-13. , ISSN: 2223-814X
- Description: Abstract: The uplifting financial impact that tourism may have on local and global economies of scale has resulted in tourists becoming a highly sought-after commodity capable of turning almost any tourism destination and its attractions into thriving exports. With the rapid evolution of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the introduction of smart technologies in particular, however, tourism has become not only more accessible, but arguably also more competitive with an online, try-before-you-buy tourism experience now becoming a reality. Subsequently, the battle is no longer for top offline destination only, but also for online destination of choice. An opportunity thus exists for Official Destination Websites (ODWs) to take advantage of these, and additional opportunities, to enhance a prospective tourist’s online, pre-tourism experience. By analysing seven of the world’s most popular destinations’ capital city ODWs, we come to realise that ODWs have become an integrated, rather than independent, part of facilitating tourism. As such, the importance of developing, implementing and maintaining an ODW to increase the likelihood of a possible tourist conversion from mere browser to buyer is highlighted. Finally, the similarities and differences between the analysed ODWs are also listed in an attempt to guide prospective tourism destinations in their endeavour to establish a new ODW, as well as allowing destinations with an existing ODW to possibly implement improvements.
- Full Text:
The digital disruption of virtual reality and the future of the steel roller coaster : an initial industry analysis
- Louw, Candice, Louw, Brenda Lotriet
- Authors: Louw, Candice , Louw, Brenda Lotriet
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Digital disruption , Virtual reality , Roller coaster
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/276349 , uj:29569 , Citation: Louw, C. & Louw, B.L. 2018. The digital disruption of virtual reality and the future of the steel roller coaster : an initial industry analysis. , ISSN: 2223-814X
- Description: Abstract: In the overlapping realms of digital design, engineering, tourism/leisure and thrill seeking, roller coasters are sought after attractions capable of drawing millions of visitors to amusement and theme parks located all over the world. More recently (from 2015) however, numerous new and existing roller coasters have been retrofitted to accommodate a Virtual Reality (VR) experience overlay – evidence of the infiltration of the digital disruption in yet another industry. Subsequently, in this paper, we firstly endeavour to examine the global footprint of the European Steel Roller Coaster Industry (ESRCI) as an export of the European economic region, while secondly, determining to what extent Virtual Reality (VR) has already infiltrated the industry. As a result, an exploratory study was conducted to identify the operational roller coasters of 23 European-based steel roller coaster manufacturers, also noting the country in which each roller coaster is operating. The results were used to establish a global footprint of the ESRCI, while an indication is also given to whether any of these manufacturers’ operational roller coasters have already been retrofitted with VR. Initial findings confirm that although the concept of the VR enhanced roller coaster is still fairly new (introduced in 2015), the effects are already wide spread with 8 of the 23 ESRC manufacturers having been affected by VR additions to one or more of their operational roller coasters within the 3 year time frame (2015 – 2017). While VR product development and integration strategies are still in the early stages, as it currently stands, VR is identified as a key role player and complementary technology for further consideration in the roller coaster industry going forward. Moreover, by adopting a manufacturer and industry centric point of view on the subject matter, this paper provides a point of departure for examining the current usage and trends of VR in the ESRCI, which may be transferrable to the roller coaster and amusement industries at large. This, in turn, may advance future discourse in the understanding of whether VR poses a threat to new roller coaster infrastructure development, is a complimentary asset to existing roller coaster infrastructure or is merely a passing fad.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Louw, Candice , Louw, Brenda Lotriet
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Digital disruption , Virtual reality , Roller coaster
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/276349 , uj:29569 , Citation: Louw, C. & Louw, B.L. 2018. The digital disruption of virtual reality and the future of the steel roller coaster : an initial industry analysis. , ISSN: 2223-814X
- Description: Abstract: In the overlapping realms of digital design, engineering, tourism/leisure and thrill seeking, roller coasters are sought after attractions capable of drawing millions of visitors to amusement and theme parks located all over the world. More recently (from 2015) however, numerous new and existing roller coasters have been retrofitted to accommodate a Virtual Reality (VR) experience overlay – evidence of the infiltration of the digital disruption in yet another industry. Subsequently, in this paper, we firstly endeavour to examine the global footprint of the European Steel Roller Coaster Industry (ESRCI) as an export of the European economic region, while secondly, determining to what extent Virtual Reality (VR) has already infiltrated the industry. As a result, an exploratory study was conducted to identify the operational roller coasters of 23 European-based steel roller coaster manufacturers, also noting the country in which each roller coaster is operating. The results were used to establish a global footprint of the ESRCI, while an indication is also given to whether any of these manufacturers’ operational roller coasters have already been retrofitted with VR. Initial findings confirm that although the concept of the VR enhanced roller coaster is still fairly new (introduced in 2015), the effects are already wide spread with 8 of the 23 ESRC manufacturers having been affected by VR additions to one or more of their operational roller coasters within the 3 year time frame (2015 – 2017). While VR product development and integration strategies are still in the early stages, as it currently stands, VR is identified as a key role player and complementary technology for further consideration in the roller coaster industry going forward. Moreover, by adopting a manufacturer and industry centric point of view on the subject matter, this paper provides a point of departure for examining the current usage and trends of VR in the ESRCI, which may be transferrable to the roller coaster and amusement industries at large. This, in turn, may advance future discourse in the understanding of whether VR poses a threat to new roller coaster infrastructure development, is a complimentary asset to existing roller coaster infrastructure or is merely a passing fad.
- Full Text:
Airport Wi-Fi service delivery and monetisation strategies – an international perspective
- Authors: Louw, Candice
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Airports , Air travel , Free Wi-Fi
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/398881 , uj:33226 , Citation: Louw, C. 2019. Airport Wi-Fi Service Delivery and Monetisation Strategies – an International Perspective. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 8(5):1-8. , ISSN: 2223-814X
- Description: Abstract: With internet connectivity becoming an important enabler to knowledge sharing, information access and communication, free Wi-Fi offerings are becoming more prevalent not only in a business context, but also in a leisure context. When looking at the tourism industry in particular, airports are often the point of embarkation and debarkation for very many data hungry travellers that are operating outside of their service provider’s jurisdiction. In both the case of the business and leisure traveller, free Wi-Fi offerings have become crucial to ensuring their further mobility. As a result, this research analyses the approaches taken by a selection of international airports spanning Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North America in delivering free Wi-Fi on their premises. The typical approaches taken in order to monetize this high frequency, high demand service are subsequently identified, also noting whether end user Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is collected in the process. Initial findings from the selection of 25 airports from 15 countries indicate that advertising based revenue models, premium (upgraded at a cost) internet service business models, as well as sponsor/third party internet service provision business models are most popular when it comes to airport Wi-Fi service delivery and monetisation. Overall, unique user identification (by means of collecting PII) to make use of these free Wi-Fi services at airports is required by 9 out of 25 (36%) airports, indicating that while Wi-Fi is still regarded as a high-value resource in certain jurisdictions (most notably in South Africa), liberalisation of access is becoming a global reality. The results of this study may be used not only by other airports, but also other high frequency tourist destinations, innovation hubs, entrepreneurial co-working spaces etc., who wish to introduce their own free Wi-Fi services or to diversify their existing revenue streams.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Louw, Candice
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Airports , Air travel , Free Wi-Fi
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/398881 , uj:33226 , Citation: Louw, C. 2019. Airport Wi-Fi Service Delivery and Monetisation Strategies – an International Perspective. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 8(5):1-8. , ISSN: 2223-814X
- Description: Abstract: With internet connectivity becoming an important enabler to knowledge sharing, information access and communication, free Wi-Fi offerings are becoming more prevalent not only in a business context, but also in a leisure context. When looking at the tourism industry in particular, airports are often the point of embarkation and debarkation for very many data hungry travellers that are operating outside of their service provider’s jurisdiction. In both the case of the business and leisure traveller, free Wi-Fi offerings have become crucial to ensuring their further mobility. As a result, this research analyses the approaches taken by a selection of international airports spanning Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North America in delivering free Wi-Fi on their premises. The typical approaches taken in order to monetize this high frequency, high demand service are subsequently identified, also noting whether end user Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is collected in the process. Initial findings from the selection of 25 airports from 15 countries indicate that advertising based revenue models, premium (upgraded at a cost) internet service business models, as well as sponsor/third party internet service provision business models are most popular when it comes to airport Wi-Fi service delivery and monetisation. Overall, unique user identification (by means of collecting PII) to make use of these free Wi-Fi services at airports is required by 9 out of 25 (36%) airports, indicating that while Wi-Fi is still regarded as a high-value resource in certain jurisdictions (most notably in South Africa), liberalisation of access is becoming a global reality. The results of this study may be used not only by other airports, but also other high frequency tourist destinations, innovation hubs, entrepreneurial co-working spaces etc., who wish to introduce their own free Wi-Fi services or to diversify their existing revenue streams.
- Full Text:
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