How Info-Communication Technologies has changed hotel room reservations

Introduction

Information and communications technology (ICT) is another word for information technology (IT) but is a more generalised term that stresses the role of communications  in modern information technology. ICT consists of all technical means used to handle information and aid communication, including computer and network hardware as well as necessary software. ICT is now an intergral feature in many businesses today. We shall look at how ICT has impacted the travel industry, particularly the role ICT has played in hotel room bookings.

Content

The introduction of the internet has truly revolutionized the way we do things. In this instance, we can make a reservation online with a series of clicks on our mouse. Prior to online sites offering room reservation services, people had to call up the hotel, which meant getting and calling an overseas number. Alternatively they could also approach a travel agency; however options were limited to the hotels they offered which might not be the most affordable or preferable option available. These online room reservation sites have allowed us to overcome the tedious processes stated above and have given us the power of choice and the ability to compare different hotels to get the best deals.

There are many online travel agents available. We are able to compare prices, location and amenities available at the hotels across the various travel sites to get a good deal. 

Visuals of the hotels, room and amenities there, are available on those sites. It is true, in this case pictures might not say a thousand words as they might have been edited or taken when the hotel/resort was new to lure customers. The customer would arrive to the place looking like a former shell of its picture. The internet has allowed us to circumvent this to a certain extent. With the assistance of google maps, I am able to see the exterior of the hotel and its surrounding location. I am also able to search for the hotel/resort using a search engine. Hundreds of pictures will turn up, some pictures are uploaded by tourists and you are able to see the real pictures of the hotel. If you wish to view videos, a search on http://www.youtube.com/ will turn up many youtube channels, some that solely cater to videos of hotels such as http://www.youtube.com/user/myHotelVideo?feature=chclk .

 Some room reservation sites even have a google map function on their site which allows for easy viewing of the accommodation that is being booked such as www.accomline.com .

Another important aspect of these room reservation sites are the reviews. Reviews aid us in our decision of booking a certain accommodation. While there may be a mix of good and bad reviews, these reviews share an insight into what the accommodation is like.In fact it is not necessary to see only the reviews on the site at which you are doing your booking. You may wish to view the reviews on other room reservation sites such as http://www.tripadvisor.com/ to enable you to make a better decision.

These online travel agents will also advertise any promotions or special offers within a certain month for example. Hotels are able to advertise through a large number of channels instead of only on their own website, using these online travel intermediaries. This in turn helps the business and the consumers. Consumers are able to get better rates and hotels benefit too as they get a higher occupancy rate.

There are many features that allow you to get your queries answered on the travel site immediately. The travel site, www.ctrip.com allows you to skype with their personnel which are available daily at a specified time frame so that you are able get any clarifications that you may need immediately. This allows you to save on expensive overseas calls.

Majority of the travel sites do charge a small cancellation administrative or amendment fee but other cancellation fees vary with differing hotels and their terms and conditions. For example, the travel site, http://www.accomline.com/ states on their site that some of its hotel partners do not allow any amendments to be made at all. 

The site, http://www.asiatravel.com/  has a varying cancellation notification period from 1-day to 1-month depending on their hotel partner. They have a penalty charge of 1night for a late cancellation or no-show. They charge a cancellation fee of US$10.

Sometimes, cancellations may not be permitted at all during peak seasons. 

Disadvantages and Advantages

There are disadvantages with making online reservations as well. There will also be the issue of online security and if the travel site is secure and if transferring your information such as your credit card details and other personal particulars is safe. Most of the travel sites will only accept credit card payment online and they have very secure payment gateways so the probability of a third party getting hold of your particulars is very minimal. 

From time to time, there is the minor inconvenience of receiving junk/spam mail from the travel sites. However, this can be easily prevented by unsubscribing or blocking that particular email address.

Not everything on the travel agency sites can be trusted. Some room reservation websites endorse and prominently display certain hotels to lure customers to choose that particular hotel as they may have been paid a fee by the hotel. This might give the customer a misleading impression that this hotel is superior as the site advertises that hotel more.

As mentioned above, even pictures put up the various sites cannot be wholly trusted. It is up to us as consumers to search other sites and find out reviews about that hotel.

The benefits of using online reservation sites far outweigh the risks and disadvantages. But the fact is, the power of the internet has allowed us to cross boundaries. If today I were to want to go to Timbuktu, the online reservation sites have made it possible for me to make a booking from the comfort of my home. Generally, travel agencies would not cater to exotic places that are not frequented by many or it may be too costly.

Conclusion

With online room reservation sites, we are able to compare thousands of hotels, get reviews and be aware of discounts and promotions. The wealth of information being provided by these sites is useful and immense. Not even a normal average sized travel agency can match up to the number of hotels and information being provided by these room reservation sites.