Systems in Travel

Synopsis

Looks at the ways in which computers have transformed the way the travel industry works, through the experiences of small tour operator, Sunvil Travel, and an internet-based travel agency, Expedia.co.uk.

Sunvil Travel uses its computer system to organise every part of a holiday, while its web-site is like an electronic holiday brochure. Expedia, meanwhile, does everything on the web. It’s a virtual, on-line travel agency, which can be used to not only look up a hotel or a flight, but book rooms or seats as well.

Increasingly Expedia is offering ‘e-tickets’ which means no actual ticket is needed. The travel firm simply gives you a number which you tell the airline — the computers do all the rest. In the future, technology may even make passports obsolete as well, with electronic systems identifying travellers by checking their eyes or hands.

Hotels are themselves becoming more automated. Computer systems highlight vacancies and make bookings, while computer networks link hotels to holiday-makers and travel agents all over the world.

But computers do go wrong, and the travel business suffers losses every week because of system crashes. What does the future hold? Will we soon be booking holidays through interactive TV? Will IT lead to an increasing standardisation of holidays and complete elimination of the human element? Are plans for self-contained, computer-controlled holiday resorts dreams — or nightmares?

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of release

2002

Year of production

2002

Documentation

Support booklet available.

Subjects

Business studies

Keywords

computer systems; travel industry

Distribution Formats

Type

VHS

Format

PAL

Price

££120.00 (+VAT +p&p)

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

25 min

Year

2002

Production Company

Name

TV Choice Ltd

Distributor

Name

TV Choice Ltd

Email

tvchoiceuk@aol.com

Web

http://www.tvchoice.uk.com External site opens in new window

Phone

020 8464 7402

Fax

020 8464 7845

Address

PO Box 597
Bromley
Kent
BR2 0YB

Notes

Producer and distributor of over 100 educational videos and DVDs, most with support materials, designed for use in UK schools, colleges and universities. Wide coverage across the curriculum, but particularly strong in the areas of business/management, ICT, geography, DT/manufacturing, history, English/media studies, PSHE, and leisure/tourism.