Digital Infrastructure's Impact on Tourism Services in Boumerdes
Abstract
Studying the digital effect of information and communication technology (ICT) in all of its facets is necessary due to its quick development and incorporation into many economic sectors. The tourism industry is the subject of this study, which particularly looks at the function of travel agencies in light of these digital changes, which might allow them to provide creative services that are carried out fast and effectively. According to worldwide technical improvements, this might, therefore, improve their market position, profitability, and—above all—customer happiness. The research uses the Algerian province of Boumerdes as an example and focuses on the travel and tourist industry there, including the major branches located around the country. Through a field study of technical infrastructure factors, the aim is to investigate their technology infrastructure and its effects on the operations of tourist agencies, as well as determine if it can aid in the growth of tourism in the area. The major research topic was addressed, and the hypotheses that were presented were tested using descriptive techniques and statistical analysis tools. The results of the field study were subjected to a SWOT analysis.
Keywords: Travel Agency, Digitization, ICT, Impact, Tourism, The province of Boumerdes
© 2025 Serbian Geographical Society, Belgrade, Serbia.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Cre ative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Serbia.
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Alalwan, A. A., Rana, N. P., Dwivedi, Y. K., & Algharabat, R. (2017). Social media in marketing: A review and analysis of the existing literature. Telematics and informatics, 34(7), 1177-1190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2017.05.008.
Albayrak, A., & Tüzünkan, D. (2020). Bibliometric Analysis of Graduate Dissertation for Rural Tourism. Turkish Studies-Social, 15(1), 845-859. http://dx.doi.org/10.33083/joghat.2023.360
Ali, F., Nair, P. K., & Hussain, K. (2016). An assessment of students' acceptance and usage of computer supported collaborative classrooms in hospitality and tourism schools. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 18, 51-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2016.03.002.
Ali, M.B., Tuhin, R., Alim, M.A., Rokonuzzaman, M., Rahman, S.M. and Nuruzzaman, M. (2024), "Acceptance and use of ICT in tourism: the modified UTAUT model", Journal of Tourism Futures, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 334-349. https://doi.org/10.1108/JTF-06-2021-0137.
Ampountolas, A., Menconi, G., & Shaw, G. (2024). Metaverse research propositions: Online intermediaries. Tourism Economics, 30(1), 255-261. https://doi.org/10.1177/13548166231159520
Buhalis, D. (2000). Marketing the competitive destination of the future. Tourism management, 21(1), 97-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5177(99)00095-3
Buhalis, D. (2003). eTourism: Information technology for strategic tourism management. Pearson education. https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.2274.0804.
Buhalis, D., & Sinarta, Y. (2019). Real-time co-creation and nowness service: lessons from tourism and hospitality. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 36(5), 563-582. https://doi.org/10.1080/10548408.2019.1592059
Bulchand-Gidumal, J., William Secin, E., O’Connor, P., & Buhalis, D. (2024). Artificial intelligence’s impact on hospitality and tourism marketing: exploring key themes and addressing challenges. Current Issues in Tourism, 27(14), 2345-2362. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2023.2229480.
Casaló, L. V., Flavián, C., & Guinalíu, M. (2010). Determinants of the intention to participate in firm-hosted online travel communities and effects on consumer behavioral intentions. Tourism management, 31(6), 898-911. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2010.04.007.
Cooper, J. A. G., & McKenna, J. (2008). Working with natural processes: the challenge for coastal protection strategies. Geographical Journal, 174(4), 315-331. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4959.2008.00302.x.
Egger, R., & Buhalis, D. (2008). Part Six. ETourism Case Studies: Management and Marketing Issues, 417. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2008.11.010.
Eimermann, M., & Carson, D. A. (2023). Towards a cordial dialogue between lifestyle migration/mobilities and rural tourism geographies. Geografiska Annaler: Series B, Human Geography, 105(4), 341-355.
Elgarhy, S. D. (2023). Effects of service quality, loyalty programs, pricing strategies, and customer engagement on firms’ performance in Egyptian travel agencies: Mediating effects of customer retention. Journal of Quality Assurance in Hospitality & Tourism, 24(6), 753-781. https://doi.org/10.1080/1528008X.2022.2077889
Elsawy, T. M. (2023). Determinants of e-business usage by travel agencies in developing countries: a decision tree approach. International Journal of Tourism Policy, 13(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTP.2023.129173.
Fang, B., Ye, Q., Kucukusta, D., & Law, R. (2016). Analysis of the perceived value of online tourism reviews: Influence of readability and reviewer characteristics. Tourism Management, 52, 498-506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2015.07.018.
Go, H., Kang, M., & Suh, S. C. (2020). Machine learning of robots in tourism and hospitality: interactive technology acceptance model (iTAM)–cutting edge. Tourism review, 75(4), 625-636. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-02-2019-0062
Gretzel, U. (2023). The future of blockchain technology for tourism and hospitality. In Blockchain for Tourism and Hospitality Industries (pp. 139-150). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1571-504320230000026004.
Gretzel, U., & Jamal, T. (2009). Conceptualizing the creative tourist class: Technology, mobility, and tourism experiences. Tourism Analysis, 14(4), 471-481. https://doi.org/10.3727/108354209X12596287114219
Gretzel, U., Fesenmaier, D. R., & Lee, Y. J. (2010). Narrating travel experiences: The role of new media. In Tourist Experience (pp. 191-202). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203855942-22/narrating-travel-experiences-role-new-media-ulrike-gretzel-daniel-fesenmaier-yoon-jung-lee
Gretzel, U., Fuchs, M., Baggio, R., Hoepken, W., Law, R., Neidhardt, J., ... & Xiang, Z. (2020). e-Tourism beyond COVID-19: a call for transformative research. Information technology & tourism, 22, 187-203. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40558-020-00181-3.
Guttentag, D. (2021). Digital destinations and avatar tourists: A futuristic look at virtual reality tourism and its real-world impacts. Science fiction, disruption and tourism, 145-160. https://doi.org/10.21832/9781845418687-015.
Ivanov, S., & Webster, C. (2019). Perceived appropriateness and intention to use service robots in tourism. In Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2019: Proceedings of the International Conference in Nicosia, Cyprus, January 30–February 1, 2019 (pp. 237-248). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05940-8_19.
Kelfaoui, A., Rezzaz, M. A., & Kherrour, L. (2021). Revitalization of mountain rural tourism as a tool for sustainable local development in Kabylie (Algeria). The case of Yakouren municipality. Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites, 34(1), 112-125. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/fe41/ebf2cbd5d0169408cb02a5f543fcd44f9bb0.pdf
Khan, W. A., Chung, S. H., Eltoukhy, A. E., & Khurshid, F. (2024). A novel parallel series data-driven model for IATA-coded flight delays prediction and features analysis. Journal of Air Transport Management, 114, 102488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2023.102488.
Kim, S., Long, P., & Robinson, M. (2009). Small screen, big tourism: The role of popular Korean television dramas in South Korean tourism. Tourism geographies, 11(3), 308-333. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616680903053334.
Law, R., Buhalis, D., & Cobanoglu, C. (2014). Progress on information and communication technologies in hospitality and tourism. International journal of contemporary hospitality management, 26(5), 727-750. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-08-2013-0367.
Law, R., Leung, D., Au, N., & Lee, H. A. (2013). Progress and development of information technology in the hospitality industry: Evidence from Cornell Hospitality Quarterly. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, 54(1), 10-24. https://doi.org/10.1177/1938965512453199
Lee, H., Koo, C., & Chung, N. (2024). Assessing the economic effects of investment in
Li, X., Gong, J., Gao, B., & Yuan, P. (2021). Impacts of COVID-19 on tourists' destination preferences: Evidence from China. Annals of Tourism Research, 90, 103258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2021.103258.
Li, Z., Huo, M., Huo, T., & Luo, H. (2024). Digital tourism research: a bibliometric visualisation review (2002–2023) and research agenda. Tourism Review, 79(2), 273-289. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-03-2023-0176.
Mariani, M. M., Di Felice, M., & Mura, M. (2016). Facebook as a destination marketing tool: Evidence from Italian regional Destination Management Organizations. Tourism management, 54, 321-343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2015.12.008.
Mora, D., Solano-Sanchez, M. A., Lopez-Guzman, T., & Moral-Cuadra, S. (2021). Gastronomic experiences as a key element in the development of a tourist destination. International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, 25, 100405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgfs.2021.100405
Murphy, J., & Law, R. (2008). Google scholar visibility and tourism journals. Annals of Tourism Research, 35(4), 1078-1082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2008.03.008.
Nash, E., & O’Connor, N. (2015). To investigate the economic impact of the Irish film industry with particular emphasis on the tourism sector. 11th Annual Tourism and Hospitality Research in Ireland Conference (THRIC). https://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/1228.
Neidhardt, J., Rümmele, N., & Werthner, H. (2017). Predicting happiness: user interactions and sentiment analysis in an online travel forum. Information Technology & Tourism, 17, 101-119. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40558-017-0079-2.
Neuhofer, B. (2024). Positive tourism experiences for human transformation: a Horizon 2050 paper. Tourism Review. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-12-2023-0888.
Neuhofer, B., Buhalis, D., & Ladkin, A. (2015). Smart technologies for personalized experiences: a case study in the hospitality domain. Electronic Markets, 25, 243-254. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12525-015-0182-1.
Pizam, A., & Mansfeld, Y. (2006). Toward a theory of tourism security. In Tourism, security and safety (pp. 1-27). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-7506-7898-8.50004-7.
Preininger, E. M. (2023). Is this the future? Image and imagination in visual discourses on digital farming in Austrian media. Geografiska Annaler: Series B, Human Geography, 1-19.
Qi, S., Law, R., & Buhalis, D. (2008). Usability of Chinese destination management organization websites. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 25(2), 182-198. https://doi.org/10.1080/10548400802402933
Qin, X., Li, X., Chen, W., Tan, H., Luo, L., & Xu, X. (2022). Tourists’ digital footprint: the spatial patterns and development models of rural tourism flows network in Guilin, China. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 27(12), 1336-1354. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2023.2166420.
Rabehi, S. A., Rezzaz, M. A., Kherrour, L., & Souiher, K. (2023). Towards The Development Of Ecotourism In The Ouled-Nail Mountains: A Case Study Of The Djelfa Municipality In Algeria. Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites, 50(4), 1411-1429. https://gtg.webhost.uoradea.ro/PDF/GTG-4-2023/gtg.50422-1140.pdf
Rihova, I., Buhalis, D., Moital, M., & Gouthro, M. B. (2015). Social constructions of value: marketing considerations for the context of event and festival visitation. In Ideological, social and cultural aspects of events (pp. 74-85). Wallingford UK: Cabi. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781780643526.0074.
Shaharuddin, N. A., Kassim, S., & Ibrahim, A. (2023). Competitive Advantages amongst Travel Agencies in Malaysian SMEs: The Role of IOE Factors and Web Technologies & E-Business Adoption. Information Management and Business Review, 15(3(I), 347-360. https://doi.org/10.22610/imbr.v15i3(I).3545
Shoval, N., Schvimer, Y., & Tamir, M. (2018). Real-time measurement of tourists’ objective and subjective emotions in time and space. Journal of travel research, 57(1), 3-16. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287517691155.
Sigala, M. (2018). New technologies in tourism: From multi-disciplinary to anti-disciplinary advances and trajectories. Tourism management perspectives, 25, 151-155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2017.12.003.
Sigala, M. (2020). Technology and tourism: Themes, concepts and issues. In Tourism (pp. 114-133). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003005520-8
smart tourism platform. Tourism Economics, 13548166241263643. https://doi.org/10.1177/13548166241263643.
Souiher, K., & Abdessamed Rezzaz, M. (2020). Rehabilitation of infrastructure in urban tourist areas (province of Algiers, Algeria). Loisir et Société/Society and Leisure, 43(3), 393-406. https://doi.org/10.1080/07053436.2020.1849159.
Štilić, A., Nicić, M., & Njeguš, A. (2022). Global distribution systems versus new distribution capability and Internet of things. The European Journal of Applied Economics, 19(1). https://www.aseestant.ceon.rs/index.php/sjas/article/view/36420/20154
Suder, M., Duda, J., Kusa, R., & Mora-Cruz, A. (2024). At the crossroad of digital and tourism entrepreneurship: mediating effect of digitalization in hospitality industry. European Journal of Innovation Management, 27(4), 1057-1081. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-08-2022-0422.
Sun, S., Fong, D. K. C., Law, R., & He, S. (2017). An updated comprehensive review of website evaluation studies in hospitality and tourism. International journal of contemporary hospitality management, 29(1), 355-373. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-12-2015-0736.
Sun, S., Wei, Y., Tsui, K. L., & Wang, S. (2019). Forecasting tourist arrivals with machine learning and internet search index. Tourism Management, 70, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2018.07.010.
Sustacha, I., Banos-Pino, J. F., & Del Valle, E. (2023). The role of technology in enhancing the tourism experience in smart destinations: A meta-analysis. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 30, 100817. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2023.100817.
Tribe, J., & Mkono, M. (2017). Not such smart tourism? The concept of e-lienation. Annals of Tourism Research, 66, 105-115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2017.07.001
Tussyadiah, I. P., & Park, S. (2018). Consumer evaluation of hotel service robots. In Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2018: Proceedings of the International Conference in Jönköping, Sweden, January 24-26, 2018 (pp. 308-320). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72923-7_24
Tussyadiah, I. P., & Pesonen, J. (2018). Drivers and barriers of peer-to-peer accommodation stay–an exploratory study with American and Finnish travellers. Current Issues in Tourism, 21(6), 703-720. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2016.1141180.
Veli, Y. A. A. H. B. (2024). A new alternative in the field of tour guiding emerging after COVID-Online guided virtual tour. Journal of Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality, 6(1), 59. https://doi.org/10.48119/toleho.1479353.
Wallin-Aagesen, H., Järv, O., & Gerber, P. (2023). The effect of COVID-19 on cross-border mobilities of people and functional border regions: the Nordic case study from Twitter data. Geografiska Annaler: Series B, Human Geography, 105(4), 356-378.
Werthner, H., & Ricci, F. (2004). E-commerce and tourism. Communications of the ACM, 47(12), 101-105. https://dl.acm.org/doi/fullHtml/10.1145/1035134.1035141
Willemen, L., Cottam, A. J., Drakou, E. G., & Burgess, N. D. (2015). Using social media to measure the contribution of red list species to the nature-based tourism potential of African protected areas. PloS one, 10(6), e0129785. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0129785
Xiang, Z., & Gretzel, U. (2010). Role of social media in online travel information search. Tourism management, 31(2), 179-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2009.02.016
Xiang, Z., Magnini, V. P., & Fesenmaier, D. R. (2015). Information technology and consumer behavior in travel and tourism: Insights from travel planning using the internet. Journal of retailing and consumer services, 22, 244-249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2014.08.005
Xie, L., Guan, X., Cheng, Q., & Huan, T. C. T. (2020). Using customer knowledge for service innovation in travel agency industry. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 45, 113-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2020.08.001.
Xu, J., Shi, P. H., & Chen, X. (2024). Exploring digital innovation in smart tourism destinations: insights from 31 premier tourist cities in digital China. Tourism Review. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-07-2023-0468.
Xu, L., Wang, S., Li, J., Tang, L., & Shao, Y. (2019). Modelling international tourism flows to China: A panel data analysis with the gravity model. Tourism Economics, 25(7), 1047-1069. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354816618816167.
Zeng, B., & Gerritsen, R. (2014). What do we know about social media in tourism? A review. Tourism management perspectives, 10, 27-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2014.01.001.
Zhuang, M., Zhang, H., Li, P., Shen, C., Xiao, X., & Zhang, J. (2023). Connecting tourists to musical destinations: The role of musical geographical imagination and aesthetic responses in music tourism. Tourism Management, 98, 104768. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2023.104768.
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
