Report on World Tourism Economy Trends (2018) Excerpt -12 GIS technology promote scientific tourism decision

1. Characteristics

(1) GIS technology integrates geographical information service users

The GIS (Geographic Information System) is a spatial information system that collects, stores, manages, analyzes and expresses the information related to space and geography for the entire or part of the earth surface with the support from computer software and hardware. The GIS can collect, input, edit, store, manage, analyze, inquire about, output and display such information. Moreover, it can also use such information to help users with scientific forecast, detection, planning, management and decision. The GIS market is also optimistic in the eyes of industry insiders.

Figure 3.12 Revenues of World Top 10 GIS Companies in 2016

Data Source: Analysis Report on China Geographical Information Industry: Development Prospect and Investment Strategy Planning 2016-2021

(2) GIS technology is highly compatible

The GIS technology features open environment, strong scalability and strong connectivity. It supports multiple database management systems such as Oracle, Sybase and SQL server. It runs multiple programming languages and development tools as well as various operating system platforms. It provides standard interfaces for SCADA, EMS, CRM, ERP, MIS, OA and other application systems. Moreover, it can be embedded in the non-special programming environment.

(3) GIS technology can precisely draw maps

The GIS platform uses computer graphic technologies, database technologies, network technologies and geographical information processing technologies at the same pace as the world. The system adopts the latest technologies, supports remote data and drawing inquiry and relies on the powerful chart/table output function to directly print maps, statistical statements and various data. It provides such functions as laminated control drawings, stepless zooming, roaming and direct positioning. The system has sound meteorological tools, allows data survey on site and supports preliminary design of line, pole, tower and other equipment. Also, it can directly migrate line equipment, perform related calculation and realize auxiliary line design and modification of equipment files. It has the azimuth or area analysis function relating to the line, provides reliable assisted decision for users, performs comprehensive statistical analysis and provides a reference for decision-makers. In particular, it introduces visualization technologies and mobile office technologies to the overall design. Maps have a high precision. The scale of a provincial map is up to 1:10,000 or 1:5,000, and that of a municipal map can reach 1:1,000 or 1:500. Also, the map can display mountains, rivers, roads, buildings or administrative zones by layer.

2. Application to tourism industry

(1) GIS integrates multiple technologies for joint development

In future, GIS will become more precise, and data will become more accurate. Data will be expressed with multiple angles and multiple dimensions. The GIS technology can be combined with the GPS (Global Positioning System) and RS (remote sensing) into the 3S technology, which fully integrates graphics and graphic data. Yet, combined with the VR technology and mobile communication technology, the GIS will closely combine itself with people’s life and change the way people see the world. The Irish commercial consultancy Research and Markets has published the “2016-2020 Global GIS Market Analysis Report”. It predicts that in 2016-2020, the global GIS market will maintain a CAGR of 18.25%.

The National Geographical Information Industry Development Planning (2014-2020) distributed by the National Development and Reform Commission shows that by 2020, China’s GIS industry will create an output value of more than RMB800 billion and become a new growth drive of the national economy. At the same time, it proposes the development tasks in six key areas, including GIS, surveying and remote sensing data services and mapping geographic information equipment manufacturing. This shows that GIS technology’s scope of application will be further enhanced.

(2) GIS technology helps tourism planning

Tourism planning badly needs the industry that engages in the collection, storage, analysis and expression of the information relating to the space and geographical distribution of scenic spots. Therefore, it is highly promising to apply the GIS technology in tourism planning.

First, aided cartography. The use of GIS software, such as MapInfo, can generate decision information that is difficult to obtain by conventional methods through spatial analysis, and can query, analyze, process and update landscape resource information at any time. Land use maps compiled from land satellite TM data transform stereoscopic land distribution patterns into a flat distribution. If TM data from different years are used, various changes of the scenic area can also be detected. ViewGIS can also create a three-dimensional perspective map with elevation zoning light, three-dimensional superimposition and other ways to generate a variety of three-dimensional thematic map.

Second, the analysis of tourism resources. GIS can play a role in resource protection, such as disaster prediction of Jiuzhaigou, spatial analysis of karst guidance, establishment and application of water resources prediction model. The tourism resources can be analyzed based on GIS. Examples include the study of tourism resources in Shaanxi, Chongqing, Xi'an, Quanzhou, Hongjiang in South China and Shichahai in Beijing and the study on the management information system for single tourism resource. We can analyze paths between tourism attractions, establish the network topology relations and give the length weight to each path, and find the best route through network analysis.

3. Influence on global tourism industry

(1) GIS technology can promote the new development of global tourism planning industry

First of all, the application of GIS in the field of tourism planning in-depth will affect the practice of global tourism planning standards and industry levels. The GIS-based planning will be quantitative, scientific and visible in assessment and planning and realize planning simulation and dynamic function. The global travel planning industry will be driven by new technologies.

(2) GIS technology can forecast future tourism conducts

Second, the GIS technology will provide new technical standards and measures used to predict the tourism industry and tourist behaviors, and output industry information in greater depth. In future, the GIS can be fused with VR and other technologies to perform resource analysis and also provide a better tourism experience for tourists. Coupled with the tourism e-commerce, the GIS will create a new research area – TGIS, which can realize scientific forecast for development of tourism destinations and tourist behaviors.