THE friendship between Taiwan and St. Lucia continues to bear fruit. This article is intended to take a close look at a proposed Smart Tourism Pilot Project to be implemented in St. Lucia.
Now, as I write, there is collaboration amongst the Taiwanese Technical Mission, the St. Lucia National Trust and the Ministry of Tourism in the introduction of a Smart Tourism Project now in the final stages of its piloting.
What exactly is Smart Tourism? Smart Tourism aims to develop information and communication infrastructure and capabilities in order to improve the management or governance, facilitate service or product innovation, very importantly, enhance the tourist experience, and, ultimately, improve the competitiveness of tourism organisations and destinations.
Indeed, the Taiwanese Mission in St. Lucia is helping our country in obtaining those capabilities. And, as a people, we are most grateful!
Now what are the components or areas of Smart Tourism? Smart Tourism relies on integrating digital technology and data into the tourism sector. It usually involves mobile applications, the internet, Artificial intelligence, data, and virtual reality.
Let us understand the very important mediators. Mobile Applications. A mobile app or mobile application is a software application developed specifically for use on small, wireless computing devices, such as smartphones and tablets rather than desktops or laptops.
Indeed, we come now to the internet. Many of us are familiar with the internet since we have access to that service in our homes or we can also connect through various community services. However, the internet plays a key role in smart Tourism. The internet enhances the tourism experience by allowing the tourist to make bookings, arrange transportation and plan activities making the best of their travel experience
Indeed, in order to facilitate their business tourist destinations have placed a large portion of their business on the internet. Which would allow the destination to acquire data on the demands of the tourist or to inform current and potential tourists about the destination. The destination would also be able to make tourist arrangements.
How has the internet changed tourism? The ability to research and book holidays and ravel online has opened up a new world of possibilities to tourists. As a result, destinations like St. Lucia, needs to ensure that they stand out.
Indeed, we come now to artificial intelligence or (AI). Artificial Intelligence has the ability to transform the tourism industry by providing personalised recommendations, autonomous travel agents and other services that improve the travel experience. By autonomous I mean some travel agents could operate or conduct business independently.
Travelers will no longer have to visit travel agencies to book flights or search for accommodation. All that information will now be available on the internet through the destination.
We come now to the use of data in Smart Tourism. In tourism, as in many other business sectors, data is responsible for accurate decision-making. Data is used in customer demands, forecasting, service personalization, as well as travel marketing and piing strategies.
Now, why is tourism data important? Tourism data or statistics are important for understanding the impact of tourism on economic growth, employment, and infrastructure.
We come now to the concept of virtual reality. Virtual reality tourism will give people a glimpse of an actual tour in a realistic virtual environment. By virtual environment I mean digital applications that people can interact with. Both with the computer and the work of other users.
I have provided a small window in which you can view and understand the issue of Smart Tourism. You may have to read the article more than once to gain some insights and understand the concept of Smart Tourism.
Now the government of St. Lucia, through the Ministry of Tourism has been extremely well with the local tourism industry. And now with the introduction of the Smart Tourism Project, the sky is now the limit. Constant economic growth in the tourism industry means a better way of life for the people of St, Lucia.
As a St. Lucian, I wish to say how proud I am for the introduction of this project to St. Lucia by the Taiwanese Mission. Thank you, Taiwan!
One aspect of the Tourism Project which I am happy about is the tourism date which will become available to the traveler or specifically the tourist. The tourist will now be able to determine the price of travel from Castries to Soufriere. It means that Taxi drivers will no longer be able to make their own price for the trip to Soufriere.
Now we were far behind in the notification of travel fares to Soufriere and other tourist sites. Several years ago, perhaps three decades, I visited our sister island of Barbados. After I had cleared customs and stepped out, one of the things I noticed was a board which showed the official price for travel to various sites in Barbados. I nodded in complete satisfaction with the pricing system on the board.
Indeed, the Smart Tourism Project will do a lot better.