USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO BOOST TOURISM
The tourism sector is undoubtedly the perfect example of how user digitalization has been able to transform a business model. The adaptation to the demand of a more informed and demanding consumer, with a great capacity of influence and who lives at the click of a mouse, has caused that not only a transformation in the processes or products offered have taken place, but also with regard to the rise of new business niches.
On the occasion of World Tourism Day, experts from The Valley Digital Business School wanted to highlight the ten benefits that new technologies have brought to the sector: • Universal accessibility. The theme of this year's World Tourism Day is "Tourism for All: Promoting Universal Accessibility", perhaps the most important benefit to which new technologies are contributing. By using the latest technology or by creating and continuously improving equipment, socalled 'intelligent destinations' are enabling accessible and satisfying experiences for all, including people with disabilities and mobility problems. • Comfort, quickness and instant availability of information. Now you can make a purchase or reservation in a few minutes, without going to the physical point of sale, from different devices and comparing prices and qualities. And not only that, there is also the possibility of instant access to other types of information related to traffic, travel advice, weather and recommended restaurants in the area. • More affordable prices. Low-cost tourism and offers have been gaining ground thanks to the Millennial generation, a fashionable target of today's tourism. This is a hyper-connected population group between 18 and 34 years old, which carries out intensive research before buying online. Price comparison is the first step they take before contracting a tourist service, which has led companies to establish more competitive prices and launch low cost offers.
• Exclusive experiences and personalization of the tourist service. One of the things that the Big Data and the intelligent management of tourism marketing have brought with it has been the personalization of services according to the user's profile, time of purchase, consumption pattern and location. Likewise, more and more consumers are avoiding traditional tourism in order to enjoy more authentic destinations. For this, technology is becoming the key: mobile systems, augmented reality, wearable facilitating processes or recreational activities... • Tourist encouragement. Marketing has changed. While before the most important thing was the product or service on offer, now the client is the center of the advertising strategy because of the enormous power of influence that it has in the online world. The fact that the user constantly shares his experience is an incentive for the service to be considered as exceptional. Getting a "digital tip" is now the goal. • Client Interactivity. Precisely because of this empowerment, is very important for any travel product to get feedback from the opinions and suggestions that the tourist 2.0 leaves in the social networks, as well as to take the opportunity to receive feedback from their customers. Now the aim is to dialogue in real time to guide them, answer their questions, establish a closer relationship with them, listen to their proposals or complaints, etc. • Smart tourist destinations. There are more and more consolidated locations on cutting-edge technological infrastructures, which guarantee the sustainable development of the tourist territory, excellence in terms of accessibility, integration of the visitor with the environment, increasing the quality of his experience, etc. Some examples of this are the implementation of free wifi networks, video guides or self-guides, beacons that send information of tourist interest according to the situation, interactive games... • New collaborative businesses related to travel, overnight stays, shopping or leisure, have brought about clear savings in transport costs, accommodation, tourist guides... Although this may represent a threat to traditional tourism companies, the truth is that it has meant a greater influx of tourists and the use of underused elements. • Global presence in the international tourism market. As there are no geographical barriers on the Internet, tourism entrepreneurs can enter foreign markets, which allows them to increase their potential mass of clients or to
associate with other companies, in their own business sector or in other industries. • Speeding up processes and reducing costs. Many hotels already operate only using software applications that allow for the automation of functions such as guest reservations, materials management, human resources and maintenance or quality control. This helps not only to accelerate processes, but also to reduce management errors, increase productivity or improve brand positioning. In addition, the possibilities of accessing all information via the Internet and the reduction of commissions to third parties for direct sales on the web have provided a cost reduction that directly benefits the tourist. • FUENTE:https://www.hosteltur.com/comunidad/nota/004562_quebeneficios-han-traido-las-nuevas-tecnologias-al-sector-turistico.html
Without a doubt, one of the factors that have generated the most changes in the tourist sector has been the impact of the technological revolution and the information society, which has significantly transformed all stages of the journey. From how we are inspired to decide where we travel, to the way we plan and contract trips, the way we want to communicate with tourism providers and the technological needs we have during our trip. Technology has allowed tourists to have greater access to information and to different offers and suppliers, which has given them a new position of power.
The Internet has indeed been the most transformative element in the industry. A few years ago, it gave us the possibility to know better the destinations we wanted to travel to (with more audiovisual content) and to be able to better compare the suppliers (through the boom of rating websites). In recent years, the Internet has changed the economic relations within the tourism sector by facilitating the direct relationship between tourism providers and tourists themselves, dramatically altering the role of intermediaries. The technological revolution will accelerate its speed. By the end of 2016, 4.5 billion people on the planet will have a smartphone, compared to 2.8 billion today. The most recent revolution has been the democratization of mobile
phones, which have become affordable for the vast majority of the population and have become the technological element that spends the most time with us. It has come to compete in attention, even with the all-powerful television. FUENTE:https://www.aprendedeturismo.org/tendencias-tecnologicas-querevolucionan-el-turismo/
TOURISTIC ATTRACTIONS IN MARGARITA ISLAND Margarita is known for the quality of its beaches. Being an island, it is surrounded by beaches and there is something for everybody. Beaches with or without waves, big or small, full of people or not, deep or flat, warm or hot, windy or not, there is a beach for every taste. Margarita has many attractions. Its well preserved castles are a must-see: The Castle of La Asunción with a beautiful view, the larger Castle of Pampatar with its sea view and a drawbridge, and also the Fort of Juan Griego famous for its sunsets.
Basílica de la Virgen del Valle.
The Tropical Labyrinth: The Basilica Menor de Nuestra Señora del Valle, better known as the Iglesia del Valle, is where the patron saint of eastern Venezuela, the Virgen del Valle, is venerated and is an obligatory visit for those of the Catholic faith. Once you have visited the basilica and the Santiago Mariño museum, we recommend you
to continue towards La Asunciรณn to visit the Santa Rosa Castle and the "Laberinto Tropical" ecological garden.
Parque El Agua View.
Horseback Ride
Two other must-see attractions on Margarita are Parque El Agua with its pools and slides and a horseback ride on the Macanao Peninsula in Cabatucan. These two activities are somewhat expensive, but worth it if your budget allows it.
Contact with starfish in the Museo Marino.
Last but not least, our recommendation is for a very special and interesting museum. The Museo Marino on the Macanao Peninsula, on the way to Punta Arenas.
Spectacular Places
We cannot but recommend two walks around the island: The peninsula of Macanao which we have already mentioned several times and the north of the island. Mangroves in La Restinga.
La Restinga
One of the most special places on the island is unquestionably La Restinga, which is a must-see. To go to La Restinga it is necessary to take a peĂąero (fishing boat) that takes you on a trip through the mangroves and you reach a huge beach, the largest on the island.
Beach in Coche Island
Los Frailes
Although Margarita is quite a large island (it even has a peninsula), there are two islands nearby that are worth visiting: 1) Coche Island, which is located in front of El Yaque and has excellent hotels and beaches suitable for windsurfing and kitesurfing. 2) Los Frailes Island, an ideal place for snorkeling and diving.
FUENTE:https://www.venezuelatuya.com/margarita/guia_turistica_margarita. htm