Technology Application in Aviation, Tourism and Hospitality

AbstractTourism and hospitality industry is among the largest foreign exchange contributor in Malaysian as well as ASEAN economy. This chapter reviews the issues in the tourism and hospitality sector and issues in current and future situation. The study suggests that the foreign direct investment in tourism and hospitality of Southeast Asia is relatively low compared to other sectors. Issues identified are operating issues and quality issues considered to be the most critical issues. Future challenges such as legislation and competition are to be confronted by the tourism and hospitality industry to stay competitive and sustain profit. Improved technology infrastructure will alleviate to a new landscape within the ASEAN tourism and hospitality industry. The tourism and hospitality industry as a services sector offers rich opportunities in balancing the pace of technology adoption with the priority of job creation. The integrated marketing communication (IMC) programs provide essential contributions to the brand equity building. On the other hand, travelers are constantly connected, using technology; mobile and online travel planning is a norm. The impact of the fourth technology revolution has been enormous, affecting industries such as tourism and hospitality. The tourism and hospitality industry applying technology changes the way it approaches customer service to transform the travel experience and reinvent business models. The paper enhances to the literature of tourism and hospitality studies which is very inadequate in ASEAN as a community. Keywords: ASEAN, Challenges, Hotel, Hospitality, Issues, Restaurant and Food Operations, Technology