CIU discusses the use of technology in the accommodation and tourism sector

During the event organized by the Cyprus International University (CIU) School of Tourism and Hotel Management, technological developments that are affecting all sectors was examined within the tourism sector.

Coming together with the students during the event titled "Developing Technologies in the Hospitality and Tourism Sector", Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seden Doğan provided information in relation to the reflections of technology upon the sector.

Giving information in relation to the results from the latest research that was conducted in October 2021 upon this subject, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doğan noted, “Of the world’s population, 62% use the internet and 57.6% actively use social media. It is for this reason that many of the airline companies and other service industries prefer to utilize social media platforms to promote their products”.

Reminding that within the tourism sector, there are a number of applications or websites that allow people to find holiday destinations, Doğan exclaimed that all of these require the use of the Internet or social media.

Advising that there are a number of different types of technologies and platforms within the tourism industry, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doğan stated that Eco-system, social media, AR (Augmented Reality) & VR (Virtual Reality), and Digital Marketing are among the ones that are prominent.

Doğan highlighted that the research that was conducted in October 2021 revealed that on an average, people use the Internet and social media for about 2.5 hours daily, and went on to state, “Especially during these days, many hotels have begun to use different technologies, such as mobile applications, unmanned reception, and more automated receptions”.

Stating that there are some hotels in the world that can be given as examples of hotels that use more robots than people, Doğan went on to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of technology and robotic employee use within the tourism sector.

Doğan informed that technology provides a time saving and cost reducing structure, and concluded, "However, while technology provides personalized services, the fact that it eliminates human contact is negatively perceived”.