The effectiveness of tour destination selection is dependent on pre-visit information
sources. As competition increases in the tourism industry, destination
organisations need to improve current destination selection processes. Research
on current processes indicate that information sources accessed by potential
tourists when making travel decisions may not be a true reflection of what the
destination is offering. Any negative difference between perceived images during
pre-visit and real images during the actual visit may result in poor destination
reputation and dissatisfied customers.
This research addresses this gap by improving the process of destination selection
using a real-time data streaming mediation technique as an additional pre-visit
information source. The researcher adopted a social-technologist research
paradigm and a design-science approach. The research process was executed in
three phases; the first phase focused on gathering knowledge on destination
selection and pre-visit information sources. The findings in Phase 1 were used in
Phase 2 to develop and test the performance of a prototype. Phase 3 involved the
evaluation of the prototype tool in a real-world setting.
One of the main outcomes of this research is the development of a destination
selection framework using real-time data streaming mediation and a tool
(http://www.tourcamportal.com) as proof of concept. This research has shown that
real-time images are valuable pre-visit information sources when making travel
decisions. Real-time images authenticate destination attractions, provide real-time
availability of destinations, reduce speculations on destination attractions, and
provide actual representations of destinations. The findings of this study contribute
the body of knowledge and practice in the tourism sector and provide new areas
for further research. / Computing / D. Phil. (Information Systems)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/21913 |
| Date | 08 1900 |
| Creators | Githinji, Stanley Muturi |
| Contributors | Van Zyl, I. J. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (v, 233 leaves) : color illustrations, 1 map |
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