Blog #1 Assignment
EXAMPLES OF STRENGTH:
1.) The Official Website of Costa Rica
a.) Strengths- A very ‘user friendly’ website that gives ten different categories of types of traveling that are available at the bottom of the welcome screen. The technology that is utilized is not only up to date but is conveniently interactive to link the welcome screen to a variety of different sectors of tourism. “Accommodations, Transportation, Food and Beverage, etc.” Offers easy vacation planning opportunities. Offers vivid pictures of locations around Costa Rica.
b.) Weaknesses- Although the technology is up to date, the overall format that is used to transfer from site to site within the main welcome screen could be to basic and does not tackle enough visual senses quickly enough. Even though galleries, and videos are available, it takes to many clicks to view them. Too much simplicity of the website. Shows small tagline of country, “No Artificial Ingredients.”
c.) Opportunities- Since Costa Rica is already known for it’s natural attractions, there is a great opportunity to expand it’s market towards other types of travelers in the areas of shopping, heritage, and agricultural tourism. Expand further on existing green tourism practices. Continue to drive tourism numbers through innovation. Over a larger variety of vacation package to tailor different target markets.
d.) Threats- Other central American countries who have seen the positive economic impact of Costa Rica while containing the same, of not more natural resources can utilize this model from Costa Rica to compete in the market share from a tourism standpoint. Current state of the economy can deter potential travelers. Influx of increasing tourism arrivals can reduce the demand and authenticity of Costa Rica.
2.) The Official Website of New Zealand
a.) Strengths- A large portion of the home screen reveals an option to watch a welcome video of New Zealand which has great visual effects and shows the history of New Zealand and how it is the youngest country on earth. The website also reveals beautiful pictures of the natural landscape. Easy to use and extremely organized. Offers current news lines to give up to date information of NZ.
b.) Weaknesses- Even though the welcome video portrays great visual effects and images of New Zealand, the people portrayed in the video was a specific demographic of a middle aged, upper-class, and well educated outdoor enthusiast. There was a lack of photos for the accommodations portion of the website.
c.) Opportunities- There is a large opportunity to expand the market share of tourists that visit by creating more upscale lodging opportunities for that particular demographic. Have a comment section on the welcome screen to show true-life visitor experiences and recommendations. Offer 360 view panorama focusing on the natural landscape of NZ.
d.) Threats- The fact that travel New Zealand is relatively expensive from other countries, there is a threat that travel will decrease. Another threat is competition of the market from it’s nearby neighbor Australia. Seasonality of tourism and motivations to travel is another threat.
4. The Official Website of Singapore
a.) Strengths- Offers an option of twelve different language to suit interested travelers from around the world. Incredible welcome screen with enticing music to interest the traveler. Convenient website that allows easily accessibility to a variety of topics regarding travel to Singapore and upcoming events. Offers a newsletter for the latest information regarding travel. Offers an on site currency converter. 2006 Official Honoree for website layout. Voted #1 Website in 2008 from July to September by Hitwise Corp.
b.) Weaknesses- Does not readily offer natural attractions. Singapore’s welcome screen only depicts the upcoming Formula 1 race. Aside from these two aspects, this is a flawless website.
c.) Opportunities- Adopt the United States current trend of a ‘staycation’ that allows travelers from Singapore to utilize the services and amenities that it has to offer. Focus on current environmental trends and perhaps adopt renewable resources and green tourism as a national policy.
d. Threats- A lack of knowledge of attractions and activities of Singapore can deter potential travelers. Language barrier of Singapore can also deter potential travelers. Long distance travel from other countries.
a.) Strengths- The cultural/Biblical significance of the country alone makes Jordan readily marketable. Reveals a variety of pictures on the homepage of natural, cultural, and archeological aspects of Jordan.
b.) Weaknesses- Seems to only cater to the outdoor enthusiast or person interested in a cultural/historical trip. This seems to be the only weakness of the website.
c.) Opportunities- Expand existing market to surrounding countries through the option of a staycation. Offer other types of reasons to travel to Jordan aside from cultural and natural attractions. Ensure, or show statistical evidence of safety throughout the country.
d.) Threats- Since Jordan is located in the middle east, this can cause potential tourists to travel elsewhere because of political and religious conflicts. Language barrier would also stand as a large deterrent of Jordan.
EXAMPLE OF OVERALL WEAKNESS:
3. The Official Website of Tanzania
a.) Strengths- Offers a conveniently located tourism directory that entails a variety of activities, accommodations, transportation, and tour operators within Tanzania. Reveals easy access to game reserves and national parks, and the top dive sites off the Swahili Coast.
b.) Weaknesses- Lack of technology and innovation for the website itself. Uses a youtube video to showcase a featured destination of Tanzania, rather than a self-produced video. The descriptions of the accommodations are poorly worded. Lack of visual components to interest a potential traveler. Overall, a poorly constructed website.
c.) Opportunities- A large opportunity to improve the overall maintenance and quality of the Tanzania website. Create a larger awareness of potential travelers to Tanzania through other mediums, i.e. “Facebook, Twitter, word of mouth, etc.”
t.) Threats- Consistent news of other African countries such as Rwanda and Somalia and the ongoing problems of stability they face can deter travelers. Long distance travel could be postponed because the state of our economy. More developed African countries can have a better chance for tourist arrivals.
There were a variety of factors as to why The Official Website of Singapore stood past the other four country oriented tourism websites and will proportionately improve tourism spending to the entity featured. The first type of criteria that was judged was my initial reaction to the content layout and convenience of use. As I compared all five websites, the Singapore layout was not only convenient; it was the most advanced in terms of graphics and technology. It was simply effortless to move from various categories of where to stay, where to eat, and what to do, the very essence of why one would explore a countries tourism website.
The second reason why I feel Singapore’s Official Website will continue to proportionately improve tourism spending to this entity is because of the variety of world renown events that are in the near future. The first thing that is depicted on the welcome screen is a promotion for Singapore’s first Formula 1 race, which will be taken place throughout the normally busy streets filled with skyscrapers that will bring a huge economic growth to the local economy and local businesses. Singapore will also play host to the 2010 World Expo, which draws international attention that will also drive tourist arrivals, create an increase in foreign exchange, and draw high volumes for a variety of tourism related enterprises. No other website that I analyzed carried the same magnitude or significance for upcoming events like Singapore’s website. In addition, with the changing market of the United States tourism industry and baby boomers becoming the leading force, I feel that there will be a change in demand from visiting European countries, to explore places less travelled such as Singapore. According to Channelnewsasia.com, Singapore missed it’s target goal for tourism receipts for 2008, with 10 billion US dollars, from a projected 15.5 billion dollars. (Channelnewsasia.com)
One final reason why Singapore’s Official Website distinguishes itself from the other four websites would be it’s amount of resources and links to other information that is conveniently and readily available by the click of a mouse. No other website that I analyzed has the same amount of resources readily available like Singapore’s website. The tagline itself gives a good description of what is at hand, “Uniquely Singapore.” This is exactly what the website stands for, to separate itself from the rest and be a unique tourism product. One important fact to keep in mind is the potential for growth that Singapore has compared to the other four websites. I feel that It is a combination of these three main components that will give Singapore’s website and overall tourism product that will distinguish itself from the rest. According to Business.gov, Singapore’s main tourism arrivals were from regional countries with 1.73 million visitors arriving from Indonesia. (Busines.gov) This shows huge potential for Singapore to grasp the United States market.
Resource(s) Cited:
I also liked the well laid out Official Website of New Zealand. I do not particularly like to watch videos on the sites because they take too much time, but it does seem that many of the sites target a certain demographic and age group.
ReplyDeleteStephen, i really like how you chose tourism websites of different countries. It makes it easier to compare and contrast the websites.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading about all of your websites you decided to focus on! I though you had a great variety and they really caught my attention. I agree also with Mikala, I'm way too busy to watch videos! I would rather enjoy looking at scenic pictures.
ReplyDeleteI like that you chose Singapore's website for the one with the greatest ROI potential. They are really doing a lot to change their image and brand as a destination (I was reading an article the other day that talked about how Singapore was focusing on becoing an educational and medical tourism destination). I think the upcoming events you mentioned will definitly increase tourism revenue for the country. Also, I completely agree with you that the baby-boomer generation, besides becoming the major force in the industy, will seek allocentric, adventurous destinations.
ReplyDelete