The Influence of Information Systems on Tourist Arrival in the Gambia

Main Article Content

Ebrima Sillah
Indrianawati Usman

Abstract

This paper examines the new futures that develop because of using information systems in the Gambia's tourist and hospitality industries, focusing on the increase in visitor arrivals. Information systems have increased the number of tourists visiting The Gambia by promoting the country, providing information about its attractions and amenities, and making it easier to plan and book trips. This has enabled potential tourists to make well-informed decisions. The study uses the qualitative method with a review of the literature and primary data.  According to the study, the functionality of information systems applications offers users data about hotels, travel information, and the allure of recreational products. The Gambia Tourism Authority (GTA) was established in 1982 to promote the Gambia as a tourist destination. It worked with tour operators to create holiday packages and relied on advertising and public relations to promote the Gambia. It participated in international travel fairs and exhibitions to showcase its attractions and culture and engaged in press releases and familiarization trips for travel writers. The Gambia's tourism industry has expanded its marketing efforts with information systems to include digital channels, such as internet websites and social media platforms, to promote the Gambia's natural beauty, cultural heritage, and hospitality. Personalization, localization, user-generated content, and integration can be used to attract tourists to the Gambia. Also, the information system aids in maintaining outstanding client contacts, fostering positive relationships, and ensuring longevity because of the new value chain. The global tourism industry has a complicated value chain, with IBTOs, OBTOs, and travel agencies responsible for overseeing how tourists interact with and experience each tourist site. E-commerce can both change an industry's structure and provide new business options, leading to the emergence of smart marketplaces.                               

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

How to Cite
Ebrima Sillah, & Indrianawati Usman. (2023). The Influence of Information Systems on Tourist Arrival in the Gambia. SIASAT, 8(2), 89-102. https://doi.org/10.33258/siasat.v8i2.149
Section
Articles

References

African Development Bank. (2006). The Gambia Tourism Development Master Plan. Tourism Master Plan of the Gambia, July 2006. http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/e-forum/The Gambia Summary Report November 2006.pdf
Alnusairat, S., Elnaklah, R., Shukri, M., Yajid, A., Mgm, J., & Khatibi, A. (2021). INFORMATION SYSTEM , GEOGRAPHY , INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND TOURISM PLANNING : A GEOGRAPHICAL PERSPECTIVE FROM MALAYSIA. 2, 42–60.
Bhuiyan, A. H., Siwar, C., & Ismail, S. M. (2013). Tourism development in Malaysia from the perspective of development plans. Asian Social Science, 9(9), 11–18. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v9n9p11
Cuenca, L., Boza, A., Ortiz, A., & Trienekens, J. J. M. (2014). Business-IT alignment and service oriented architecture: A proposal of a service-oriented strategic alignment model. ICEIS 2014 - Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Enterprise Information Systems, 3, 490–495. https://doi.org/10.5220/0004973204900495
Dieke, P. U. C. (1993a). Tourism in The Gambia : Some Issues in Development Policy. 21(2), 277–280.
Dieke, P. U. C. (1993b). Tourism in The Gambia : Some Issues in Development Policy zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXW. 21(2).
Dieke, P. U. C. (2017). TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT. 7383(October). https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7383(93)90001-J
Gretzel, U., Koo, C., Sigala, M., & Xiang, Z. (2015). Special issue on smart tourism: convergence of information technologies, experiences, and theories. Electronic Markets, 25(3), 175–177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12525-015-0194-x
Hendler, J., & Berners-lee, T. (2010). From the Semantic Web to social machines : A research challenge for AI on the World Wide Web. Artificial Intelligence, 174(2), 156–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.artint.2009.11.010
Li, J., Xu, L., Tang, L., Wang, S., & Li, L. (2018). Big data in tourism research: A literature review. Tourism Management, 68, 301–323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2018.03.009
Malcienė, D. Z., & Skauronė, L. (2019). Application of Information Systems in Tourism and Leisure Sector. The International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Invention, 6(2), 5341–5346. https://doi.org/10.18535/ijsshi/v6i2.11
Ministry of Tourism and Culture, G. 2019. (2019). The Gambia’s tourism sector: Measuring its value chain and exploiting its potential. https://unctad.org/meetings/en/Presentation/aldc2019_gambia_servicestrade_Nyassi_MOTC_en.pdf
Pröll, B., Retschitzegger, W., Wagner, R. R., & Ebner, A. (1998). Beyond Traditional Tourism Information Systems - The Web-Based Approach TIScover Arno Ebner : Beyond Traditional Tourism Information Systems - The Web-Based Approach TIScover. New York, 1(January), 15–31.
Tourism establishment survey report (2018). (2018).
Wei, W. (2012). Research on the Application of Geographic Information System in Tourism Management. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 12(Icese 2011), 1104–1109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2012.01.394
Wynne, C., Berthon, P., Pitt, L., Ewing, M., & Napoli, J. (2001). The impact of the Internet on the distribution value chain: The case of the South African tourism industry. International Marketing Review, 18(4), 420–431. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000005934
Xiang, Z. (2018). From digitization to the age of acceleration : On information technology and tourism. Tourism Management Perspectives, 25(September 2017), 147–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2017.11.023