Tourism & the IT Sector

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IT is present in just about any industry, and the people who work in these jobs adapt their knowledge to the respective field. In the medical sector, IT specialists create systems that handle patient data, technology that helps with diagnosis, and much more. In the automobile industry, IT workers have developed automated manufacturing processes and machines.
The same applies to the tourism sector. Information technology plays a big part in tourism, travel, and hospitality. How does the tourism industry benefit from the information and communication systems embedded in the global net, and which tools, technologies, and methods do they use to revolutionize travelling?

A Prime Example: IT on Majorca

Most view Majorca as a mere holiday and party island, which is not as negative as it might sound in contrast to serious business and technology. It is part of the reason why tourism companies focus on this location to develop IT technology for the tourism sector.

Why Majorca?

Several factors led to the Balearic Island welcoming the IT sector with open arms. Two things have encouraged the development of information technology hotspots in Majorca, especially:

  • government support: Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s prime minister, has declared in 2018 that he wants to make Spain a “start-up nation”. In 2021, he followed up on this plan by presenting his “Entrepreneurial Nation Strategy” for Spain. It’s a set of 50 key measures to enhance the economic recovery and development of the country.

They hope to attract investors and guarantee young entrepreneurs to receive financing and to reach a global scale. This support is specifically aimed at companies with a high potential for growth, job creation, wealth, and innovation.

  • tourism business hub: Majorca, its Mediterranean climate, and beautiful beaches have been a tourist magnet, especially for Europeans, for decades. Tourism is the main industry and main engine of growth in the Balearic Islands’ economy. In 2017 across all the Balearic Islands, more than 44.2% of the GDP was generated in the tourism industry, with three out of ten jobs of employed people being in this sector.

This powerful tourism business has already attracted many large international companies such as Air Europa or TUI to run their headquarters and business hubs in Majorca.

When these companies have started to invest in information technology during the last decade or two, the area turned into a tech-focused development hub. Many innovations like apps, booking software, and algorithms with artificial intelligence were created right here.

One famous science and technology park, the ParkBit in Palma de Majorca, hosts many of these innovation research centres for enterprises such as Trivago or Microsoft. Its nickname, the Silicon Valley Mallorquin, hints at the many start-ups and tech companies working there

  • Interested in the IT scene of Majorca? Check out the Blockchain Days being held this summer. Combine them with a summer holiday and enjoy the sun and beaches while you’re at it. There are many beautiful holiday lettings in Majorca you can book.

How Does This Benefit the IT Companies?

Majorca being both pro-tech and an international tourism hub have created a nice synergy for the IT sector in the tourism field. There are countless international visitors to the Island each year, with many calling it their second home. This way, companies have direct access to their clients and target group – diverse people from all over the world – to either recruit or do market research on.

Information Technology Tools in Tourism

Some technology is well-established by now. We are used to apps, booking software, and algorithms helping us find the best answer to our requests. However, some new tech is used in surprising ways. Here are some examples of how modern IT technology is implemented in the tourism sector:

  • 360-Degree Virtual Tours | Many companies have developed virtual tours during COVID-19, so people can experience their service from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Virtual dressing rooms are supposed to help customers when they can’t try something on in person. Tourism uses a similar concept. One example is the use of 360-Degree virtual mountain walking tours. People can take part in the tour, for example, with a VR headset.
  • Eye Tracking | To improve their marketing materials, companies use eye tracking in their market research. They invite volunteers and show them various imagery while tracking their eye movement to note which areas receive the most visual attention. They can then focus on these elements to create more stimulating visuals for their marketing campaigns.
  • Gamification | For those unfamiliar with the term: Gamification describes the practice of applying game elements to non-game things. One easy example is To-Do-List apps that give you tasks and achievements to unlock if you stick to your plans. Gamification tries to implement elements that activate the reward system in your brain and make it fun to use everyday appliances.

When it comes to tourism, gamification tries to build a rewarding journey with memorable experiences. There are several approaches to this concept, such as digital scavenger hunts or badges for each visited country.

Conclusion

The tourism sector and information technology are working hand in hand. Without IT, travel companies would have no apps, programs, and analysis tools to help them build their customer base. A popular holiday destination such as Majorca is the perfect hub for developing these technological tools. Both the government support and the melting-pot of many nationalities and customers directly available are great benefits for the development of information technology in the tourism sector. The results are many smart tools that benefit both customers and companies alike.