An evaluation of the current status of the use of Information and Communication Technology in Tourism Industry (E-Tourism) Case study: The City of Shiraz

There is a growing competition between countries in tourism industry currently. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has emerged as a new influential paradigm on the development of tourism industry; hence, the need to synchronize them is felt more than ever. Iran, and especially Shiraz, is of attractive tourism destinations that has not received an attention commensurate to its tourism potentials. Accordingly, it behooves a use of cutting-edge technology, ICT in particular, to enhance the current status of tourism in general and e-tourism in particular. Uses were made of survey and questionnaire in the present descriptive-analytical study to gather the required data in evaluating the current status of the use of ICT in Tourism Industry of Shiraz in the eyes of visiting tourists. Research findings suggest that tourists are not well-aware of and consequently do not use tourism-related ICT frequently despite appropriate circumstances including their inclination. In addition, they expressed their dissatisfaction with ICT use in tourism-related affairs except for some specific cases. Nevertheless, ICT media particularly radio, television, satellite, and the internet influenced the tourists’ decision in choosing Shiraz as their destination.