Exploratory Study on Contributions of Information and Communication Technologies to the Development of Eco-Cultural Tourism in Central Kazakhstan

Tiberghien, G. and Garkavenko, V. (2011) Exploratory Study on Contributions of Information and Communication Technologies to the Development of Eco-Cultural Tourism in Central Kazakhstan. In: 18th International Conference on Information Technology and Travel & Tourism IFITT’s Global Travel & Tourism Technology and eBusiness Forum, Innsbruck, Austria, 26-28 Jan 2011,

Abstract

This exploratory study investigates the contributions of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to the development of eco-cultural tourism practices undertaken in Central Kazakhstan through the lens of different stakeholders involved in Community Based Tourism (CBT) projects in the country. Empirical research is based on semi structured in-depth structured interviews conducted in 2010 which were carried out with different stakeholders involved in the tourism development of CBT in Central Kazakhstan. Findings reveal that ICTs are used in the forms of Social media networks as well as websites, microblogs, and E-mails. Despite a very positive attitude towards the usage of ICTs, the research also identified a number of barriers to the implementation of ICTs for Community Based Tourism (e-CBT) including the limited number of bookings, the need to develop the online business model as well as a lack of government initiatives to backup the funding of the project.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Tiberghien, Dr Guillaume
• Authors: Tiberghien, G., and Garkavenko, V.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social & Environmental Sustainability