TOURISM MARKETING AND THE ADVENT OF THE INTERNET: THE CHALLENGES FOR TOURISM BUSINESSES IN THE THIRD MILLENIUM

Abstract

Due to a dynamic environment, with changes and evolutions in many varied contexts, such as economical, technological or social, companies of tourism services must follow the tendencies and try to adapt themselves in order to enjoy all the growing opportunities. In the specific case of Internet advances, companies can use this alternative channel together with the traditional ones and try to benefit themselves through its advantages. In order to know the implications of Internet on the specific tourism sector, a research of qualitative nature has been carried on with the approaching of some companies that operate in this sector, specifically travel agencies of São Paulo City. Such agencies have been selected according to some criteria, as, for example, they had to present the characteristics of dedication to tourism packages commercialization, of responsibility of organization regarding going and coming travels from origin of usual residence to a specified destination and of variety in services offer with the objective of fulfill interests and needs of clients. Among the relevant found results, it has been noticed a difference of perceptions about Internet’s influences. Although this channel offers advantages for approaching effective or potential clients, many times the role played by the tourism companies is decreased due to the direct contact of the clients, through Internet, with the services partners, such as air companies and hotels.