Geographic Information Systems in Tourism Management

摘要

This work aims to study an approach of information systems with geographic support (GIS) applied in tourism. The system allows the integration of different services, accessible through different technology platforms, which enable agents to interact using the support of communication technologies. The geographical referencing of places is integrated with specific additional information, in order to give a greater perception of the existing resources. In order to succeed among the public, especially tourists and residents, the system should be enhanced with multimedia contents and geographic, historical, cultural, ethnographic data to increase its use. Other enriching elements for the GIS are the definition of access rules and contents, including quality criteria and behaviour patterns along the time. This system accessibility depends on the type and location of the technology platform as a means of enhancing the system use and economic revenue of the agents involved. Relevant issues to explore this system are, on the one hand, its importance for tourism supply and demand management, and on the other hand to create more secure online business and services that verify system standards. These should be defined according to the regional and national strategies and policies of the tourism sector, as the public looks for useful information about the several regions to make the best decision. With the system maturing process, other activities shall benefit from its expansion.