The tourism industry is similar to any other economic system. An important feature of this industry is the information about the services and their quality. World experience shows that a service time is a factor determining the success. In a highly competitive environment of the service sector, the organization cannot succeed without using in its operations information technology, improving the quality of customer service. The winner is the one who is able to provide the customer with the full range of services in the shortest period of time, whose site is well optimized, functional and interesting for the user.
The first site in this review will be Combadi. "Combadi offers innovative holiday&travel experience, ideas that help you learn, grow and change" (Combadi). The structure of the site is very simple. There are a few sections: mind, body, soul, offers, about us page, contact information, and even the blog. However, the site does not look overloaded with sections and information. Robert Keith Leavitt observed, "People would rather have one good, soul-satisfying emotion than a dozen facts” (Manzanares). He also told that pictures activate emotions. This site activates emotions with the help of text, photos, slogan and even the navigation. It is easy to order and pay for the trip as here are different payment options. Additionally, comments are allowed and we can find this company on social networks.
The Exclusiveitaliantours site does not have the intuitive interface. That is a great minus. It has the menu with main sections: contact us, terms & conditions, tour portfolio, about us, the area of operation, events, and news ("Exclusive Italian Tours"). There are nice photos but not enough content. The client will not see prices, but will be able to find the Refunds and cancelation policy. It does not inspire confidence, however, there are links to social networks and they offer a free consultation (you have to read all content to find this offer, not every client is so patient. Most likely they leave this site without the needed information)
The Pinkiceland has a pink design, which can irritate some consumers. It has a menu under the logo. The interesting decision was to locate "Trending now" propositions near the logo on the header. There are a nice overview, many photos and rich descriptions of tours. The client can easily find prices in each section and contact information as well as social networks in the footer. This site offers special tours for gays and lesbians and can organize a client's wedding in Iceland ("Pink Iceland Travel").
The Fourseasons site has a nice intuitive design, it is easy to find a hotel or resort as the option is on the header. The client can choose one from 8 languages, but not all options are available in several languages. It is easy to find rooms and make the reservation, floor plans are available, but there is no virtual tour of suits. Travelers can share their photos and connect on social networks ("Four Seasons Hotels And Resorts"). What the customer wants to see getting on a tourist site? That's right - the realization of his dreams. The client must choose a hotel, airline tickets, tours, prices. Fourseasons.com offers gift cards, describes countries, weather and festivals, shows views from the suit, it offers safari, private helicopter and even the jet. It is fantastic, but expensive. The site holds consumer attention with catching navigation. A client can discover new options and propositions or just find what he wants.
The Bahamas site is very bright and informative. In the menu client can see things to do, places to stay, deals & packages, explore our islands, and highlighted Book Your Trip section. There is an interactive, but not clickable map. Everywhere are offers to join, visit and sign up for special propositions. It seems like the site is overloaded with the proposals, however, it is their main goal to sell. On many offers "Prices vary depending", they work on custom offers and have several vacation packages. The Book Now option works very slow, supports only the US destination at the same time provides information about flights and hotels. When designing the external and internal structure of a site, the main goal is to make sure that in the future visitor will easily navigate the site. On the Bahamas site user can have troubles finding the needed offer ("The Official Site Of The Bahamas").
The Lakecrackenback offers the resort and spa. The website is not adaptive and multi-lingual. There is a phone number near the logo on the header. The menu is under the header and includes explore, apartments, chalets, packages, dining, activities, meetings, weddings, spa, biking, hiking, events, land sales sections. It is doubled on the footer. Although the menu is too detailed it represents main directions. Galleries and videos support the content. Book now option is highlighted and available on each page ("Novotel Lake Crackenback").
The Macallanridge has the right menu location. The site is very slow. There are helpful maps and some photos of locations. A client will easily find wonderful castle illustrations with floor plans, but without the photos. There are no prices and if the client is interested he must use "contact us" section ("Macallan Ridge").
The Costanavarino site uses the visual material to catch and hold attention. Designers located menu and the highlighted "Book now" button on the header. They used sensory branding tools: the relaxing music, great photos, and inspiring video together with intuitive design invite to "book now" section. It is divided into two sections: The Westin Resort and The Romanos Resort ("Luxury Resorts And Residences In Greece | Costa Navarino").
Thedrakehotel is a well-organized site. Nowadays, there are many devices that people use. All these devices have different screen size, resolution, and the website is displayed differently on them. Therefore, it is important for any site to look good and be well displayed, no matter what device client uses. A Thedrakehotel's responsive web design is intended to make web pages corresponding to the device from which they are viewed. The menu is well planned and blog page represents individual experience and emotions. It is possible to order a gift card and make a reservation of room, table or event. The catchy content together with bright, fresh photos encourages clients to make a reservation ("The Drake Hotel").
The Wythehotel has a light urban design. It is also responsive, but mobile version has a huge "Book now" section. Clients can find photos and plan of each room and loft. Prices are available only after the client has filled out Select Dates card. The ideas page has some useful information (but not ideas), however, it is not connected with the main design. Section "Press" provides the visitor with dozens of articles in famous newspapers and magazines ("Wythe Hotel").
The task of an effective site for a travel agency is to develop a comfortable environment for the presentation of the catalog of countries, cities, and resorts, hotels, a qualitative comprehensive information about recreation, about attractions, culture, traditions, background information about the agency, conditions of reservation, and payment. A comfortable navigation system and a convenient search tool for tours, countries, hotels, the selection and formation of the pre-order should be developed. The site of the travel agency must as fully as possible answer to all potential visitors' questions to provide comprehensive information about the future vacation, help to choose a tour, resort, hotel and properly prepare for the rest.
Easy and responsive navigation is exactly what is needed for the Hotels website. Navigation should answer questions that arise in the minds of site visitors. Here are three main questions:
a) How does the room look like?
b) Where is the hotel?
c) What is the cost?
What should be avoided? Long loading of images. Since an image is one of the most important elements of the hotel site, the long loading leaves a bad impression of the site.
• keep the visitors came with the help of useful and functional content;
• encourage them to order immediately;
• increase direct online sales;
• reduce the cost of attracting visitors to the hotel;
• finally, increase the profitability of the hotel and the RevPAR.
The site for the hotel must match corporate style, have a logo, be attractive. It is very important to post only high-quality photos of the hotel, the rooms, and the kitchen. They must show the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms because that is what affects the decision on the choice of a place to rest and sleep. The typical structure of the hotel site or mini-hotel should be simple and intuitive.
The structure of the hotel site:
On the "Main Page" it is necessary to give information about the hotel. Quality photographs attract the attention of tourists, also, it is possible to familiarize with the available discounts, post a reward for quality service. Further, it is desirable to describe the location and most convenient ways to get there.
On most sites "contacts" are put in the last place, but in the case of the hotel website, I recommend to place it at the beginning. In such case, the client will immediately see location. I recommend placing the map.
"Reservation" includes a convenient form. Notice of the booked room will immediately come on mail; the hotel should only confirm the operation by contacting the client.
"Hotel rooms" is the most important block for the site visitor. It should have the detailed description of each room, specify its value, and what amenities are available. Virtual tour of the room is a very big advantage.
"Services". A detailed description of hotel services and their cost, such as a shuttle service, WiFi, free parking, luggage storage, a gym, and so on.
"Nearby." Here I recommend placing the information about the nearest attractions, their photos, and tips on how to get to them.
"Restaurant-bar". Any tourist does not want to stay hungry, so the important point is the kitchen. On this page should be placed menu with prices and photos of dishes.
"Blog". On this page of the hotel's website should be described its history, achievements and awards, interesting events related to the hotel and articles.
Works Cited
"Combadi | Different Holidays | Active Holidays | Spiritual Holidays | Healing Holidays | Holistic Holidays | Detox Holidays | Unusual Holidays Luxury |Travel Holidays Greece, Morocco". Combadi.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
"Exclusive Italian Tours". Exclusiveitaliantours.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
"Four Seasons Hotels And Resorts". Fourseasons.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
"Luxury Resorts And Residences In Greece | Costa Navarino". Costanavarino.com. N.p., 2015. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
"Macallan Ridge". Macallanridge.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
"Novotel Lake Crackenback". Lakecrackenback.com.au. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
"Pink Iceland Travel". Pink Iceland travel & wedding expert. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
"The Drake Hotel". Thedrakehotel.ca. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
"The Official Site Of The Bahamas | It's Better In The Bahamas". Bahamas.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
"Wythe Hotel". Wythehotel.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
Manzanares, Sandra. "How To Write Real Estate Marketing Emails With Emotional Punch". Placester. N.p., 2014. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
