Model paper

Dean's Office Official Model Question Paper

TTM 345 · E-tourism

Programme
BTTM
Academic year
Semester 4
Paper type
Official Model Question
Sitting
Dean's Office Blueprint
Full marks
60
Duration
180 minutes

Tribhuvan University

Faculty of Management

Office of the Dean

Official Model Question Paper / Dean's Office Blueprint

Course: TTM 345 · E-tourism

Level: Bachelor of Travel and Tourism Management (BTTM) · Semester 4

Full Marks: 60

Time: 3 hrs.

Candidates are required to give their answers in their own words as far as practicable. Figures in the margin indicate full marks.

Section A

Brief Answer Questions. Attempt ALL questions. (5 × 2 = 10)

[5*2=10]

  1. Define E-Tourism.

    [2]
    View model solution

    Definition of E-Tourism

    E-tourism is the comprehensive application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) across the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries to revolutionize operational efficiency, distribution channels, and customer relationship management.

  2. What is meant by Disintermediation in travel distribution?

    [2]
    View model solution

    Meaning of Disintermediation

    Disintermediation is the elimination of traditional middlemen (travel agents, wholesalers) from the distribution channel, enabling travel consumers to purchase flights, rooms, and tours directly from airlines and hotels via the internet.

  3. Define Dynamic Packaging in online travel.

    [2]
    View model solution

    Meaning of Dynamic Packaging

    Dynamic packaging is an online software capability that allows consumers to build customized travel packages (combining flights, hotels, car rentals, and excursions) in real time with dynamic pricing based on inventory availability.

  4. State the role of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for a travel agency website.

    [2]
    View model solution

    Role of SEO in Travel Marketing

    SEO optimizes travel website architecture, keywords, and content so that the agency ranks on the first page of Google organic search results for popular travel queries (e.g., “best trekking agency in Nepal”), capturing free, high-intent traffic.

  5. What is an Application Programming Interface (API) in travel distribution?

    [2]
    View model solution

    Meaning of Travel API

    A travel API is a software interface that allows third-party websites to communicate directly with airline or hotel reservation databases, retrieving real-time flight schedules, seat availability, and live room rates.

Section B

Short Answer Questions. Attempt any SIX questions. (6 × 5 = 30)

[6*5=30]

  1. Explain the historical evolution of Information Technology in tourism (from CRS and GDS to modern Web 3.0).

    [5]
    View model solution

    Historical Evolution of Travel IT

    1. 1960s–1970s (Computerized Reservation Systems - CRS): Airlines pioneered mainframe automated booking (SABRE) to replace paper index cards.
    2. 1980s (Global Distribution Systems - GDS): Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport linked airlines with hotels, car rentals, and travel agents globally.
    3. 1990s–2000s (Internet & OTAs): Emergence of Expedia and Booking.com, enabling direct consumer web bookings (e-Commerce).
    4. 2010s–Present (Mobile, Social & AI): Smartphone app bookings, algorithmic recommendations, virtual reality destination previews, and blockchain smart contracts.

  2. Describe the features of a high-converting tour operator booking engine.

    [5]
    View model solution

    Features of a Modern Tour Booking Engine

    • Real-time seat and departure date availability calendar.
    • Secure multi-currency payment gateway (Visa, Mastercard, digital wallets).
    • Automated confirmation emails with digital vouchers and trip preparation guides.
    • Mobile-responsive interface with fast checkout.

  3. Explain how Location-Based Services (LBS) and GPS mobile apps assist tourists in destination.

    [5]
    View model solution

    Location-Based Services (LBS) in Tourism

    • Real-Time Turn-by-Turn Navigation: Guiding tourists through complex historic alleyways (e.g., Patan or Bhaktapur).
    • Proximity-Triggered Push Notifications: Sending notifications when a tourist walks near a historic temple or highly rated artisan bakery.
    • Emergency Mountain Geolocation: Transmitting exact GPS coordinates to search and rescue teams during mountain trekking emergencies.

  4. Discuss the cybersecurity threats faced by online travel agencies and countermeasures.

    [5]
    View model solution

    Cybersecurity Threats in E-Tourism

    • Credit Card Fraud and Chargebacks: Stolen credit cards used for non-refundable last-minute flights.
    • DDoS Attacks: Malicious traffic flooding the website during peak booking windows.
    • Countermeasures: Implementing 3D-Secure credit card verification, end-to-end SSL encryption, and AI fraud-detection software.

  5. Describe the role of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in destination marketing.

    [5]
    View model solution

    AR and VR in Tourism Marketing

    • Virtual Reality (VR): Immersive 360-degree previews of Everest Base Camp or resort suites (“try before you buy”), eliminating customer hesitation.
    • Augmented Reality (AR): Smartphone camera overlays projecting ancient temple ruins in their original reconstructed glory while tourists walk through UNESCO sites.

  6. Explain Big Data analytics and its application in personalized travel recommendations.

    [5]
    View model solution

    Big Data in Tourism

    • Aggregating flight search data, hotel browsing histories, and weather patterns to anticipate travel demand surges.
    • Recommending hyper-personalized itineraries (e.g., suggesting heritage homestays to cultural enthusiasts and paragliding to adrenaline seekers).

Section C

Comprehensive / Analytical Questions. Attempt any TWO questions. (2 × 10 = 20)

[2*10=20]

  1. Design a complete Digital Transformation Strategy for an traditional outbound/inbound travel agency in Nepal transitioning into a modern Online Travel Agency (OTA).

    [10]
    View model solution

    Digital Transformation Blueprint for a Nepalese Travel Agency

    1. Core Cloud Infrastructure: Migrating legacy paper registers to cloud ERP systems integrated with Amadeus and GDS APIs.
    2. Developing a Seamless B2C Web/Mobile Portal:
      • Automated domestic airline e-ticketing (Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines) and Annapurna trekking package booking.
      • Integration of Nepal payment gateways (Fonepay, ConnectIPS, eSewa, Khalti) and international card acquiring.
    3. Automated CRM & Customer Engagement:
      • WhatsApp Business API chatbots sending automated flight boarding passes and mountain flight weather updates.
    4. Performance Marketing:
      • High-intent Google Search Ads and travel influencer collaborations.

  2. Critically analyze the impact of sharing economy platforms (Airbnb) on traditional hotel industries and municipal housing markets.

    [10]
    View model solution

    Impact of Airbnb and the Sharing Economy on Tourism

    • Disruption of Traditional Hotels: Airbnb expanded budget accommodations, offering authentic residential neighborhood living.
    • Negative Urban Impacts: Commercial Airbnb investors buying residential apartments, driving up local housing rents and pricing out local residents.
    • Regulatory Responses: Cities enforcing mandatory host registration, safety inspections, and transient lodging occupancy taxes.