Intellectual Property and the Future of the Music...

Corruption, Conscience, and Copyright: The Current State of Intellectual Property and the Future of the Music Industry â€Å"Today’s pirates operate not on the high seas but on the Internet, in illegal CD factories, distribution centers, and on the street. The pirate’s credo is still the same--why pay for it when it’s so easy to steal? The credo is as wrong as it ever was. Stealing is still illegal, unethical, and all too frequent in today’s digital age. That is why RIAA [Recording Industry Association of America] continues to fight music piracy.† – RIAA.com The human conscience is a powerful tool. And if you are like most Americans, you probably consider yourself to be a rather moral person, at least based upon your own morality,†¦show more content†¦But why, then, do millions of Americans continue to download copyrighted material from the internet? Perhaps, despite legal prohibition, most consciences do not consider it immoral. And perhaps these millions of American consciences are correct. Let me make it clear, there is no doubt that property rights are a necessary feature of a successful economy. This certainly includes intellectual property rights, which ensure quality and consistency for buyers, and secure incentives for continued production by the sellers. However, intellectual property rights are inherently more abstract than rights concerning physical property, and there has always been a legally interpreted grey area concerning intellectual property. Intellectual property, unlike physical property, is non-rival. If a good is rival, it means that one person’s use of the object will diminish another person’s use of that object, as in the example of an apple: one person’s eating of an apple will diminish another person’s ability to eat that apple. Intellectual property, on the other hand, is not rival, meaning one person’s use will not diminish another person’s use. For example, one person’s viewing of a painting will not diminish another’s experience of that painting, or one person’s listening to a song will not diminish the experience of another person listening to that same song. The non-rival nature ofShow MoreRelatedCopyright And Public Domain Within The Entertainment Industry907 Words   |  4 PagesCaitlin Davis Project Proposal Assignment Dr. Fox-Horton 19 February 2017 Copyright and Public Domain within the Entertainment Industry What aspects make up intellectual property? How is it protected? According to Leslie Ellen Harris, it is important to shed light on just what copyright is. She writes, â€Å"Section 102 of the U.S. Copyright Act states the following: In no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any idea, procedure, process, system, methodRead MoreComputer Gateway : Direct Competitor Essay765 Words   |  4 Pagesand Kompoz †¢ Music Gateway - Direct competitor Music Gateway was established in 2011 in London, which is an online marketplace connecting the creative world and music professionals. Their platform allows users to create and pitch on projects that match their exact needs. We have many things in common with Music Gateway such as we are all online marketplace; we have the same focus field, music industry; we want to provide service which can facilitate the development of music industry etc. HoweverRead MoreImpact Of Intellectual Property Theft And Copyright Infringement1389 Words   |  6 PagesThis report will examine the impact of intellectual property theft and copyright infringement upon the company Music and Film Innovators. I will obtain statistical data that shows what, how, and who is responsible for these thefts. I will also provide viable solutions and recommendations to Music and Film Innovators (MFI) in order to reduce the company’s exposure and subsequent losses. I will provide various ways that Music and Film Innovators creations and personnel data can be protected soRead MoreThe Ethical Requirements Of Sharing Music1613 Words   |  7 PagesFederal Phonographic Industry, European Broadcasting Union and the International Federation of Musicians represented the three interests. These finally gave birth to the Rome Convention. Copyright is protected in different Articles of the Convention. Just to highlight one of them, Article 7 provides that performers are to be given rights that prevent broadcasters from communicating the information to the public. This is congruent with the ethical requirements of sharing music. It also prevents performanceRead MorePiracy, The Intellectual Property Rights Of The Recording Industry Association Of America1285 Words   |  6 Pages 1 Piracy is defined as illegally acquiring a private property, in this case, music, without paying for it. Piracy, therefore, violates the intellectual property rights of the recording companies, together called Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The intellectual property right being violated at hand is the copyright laws that the RIAA have. The biggest problem that the RIAA has with this violation is that they believe their sales are declining because of piracy. In fact, theRead MoreHe Advantages and Disadvantages of Intellectual Property in the Digital Age.1461 Words   |  6 Pagesand disadvantages of intellectual property in the digital age. Intellectual property is an umbrella term that covers copyright, patents, trademarks, designs, and confidentiality and trade secrets. Each of these terms covers a different type of property that is made up of knowledge. Many of these terms cover physical objects, however it is the idea behind them that counts and needs to be protected. The growth of the Internet has put pressure on traditional intellectual property protections such asRead MoreThe Legal And Economic Concerns Of Copyright Laws1689 Words   |  7 Pagesthe entertainment industry. Finally, it will conclude with a look at how a hypothetical system without copyright laws would function. The World Intellectual Property Organization is an international organization whose purpose is promoting innovation and creativity by ensuring that the rights of owners of intellectual property and creators are globally protected, and that authors and inventors are thus rewarded and recognized for their ingenuity.[1] The term intellectual property refers to the creationsRead MoreThe Importance of Copyright1614 Words   |  6 Pagesreserves the right to resell the materials at some point in the future. Since the research materials are provided to you by human beings, and may be based on numerous sources, it is strongly recommended that you conduct independent research to verify that all information is complete and accurate before referencing the material. This reminder does not contain all of the terms and conditions that govern your purchase The need to copyright Introduction Read MoreEssay on Napster: From Illegal Weapon to Killer Application855 Words   |  4 PagesAmidst the hot debate about whether or not music should be free, are ethical and moral considerations as well. The emergence of digital entertainment, whether MP3, peer-to-peer (P2P) applications, video streaming, or audio books, has caused an inevitable shift in the entertainment market (Weiss, 2006). Napster rapidly became a success when it started allowing its customers to download MP3 music free of charge. In fact, Napster’s form of file-sharing shifted the entertainment market from a commodityRead More Copyrights: Intellectual Property and Technology Essay1535 Words   |  7 PagesCopyrights: Intellectual Property and Technology The Government and many other agencies around the world are continuously at work to improve protections for intellectual property rights and the enforcement of intellectual property laws. In today’s age of digital madness, passing legislation and actually enforcing of those laws becomes a very daunting task. However, the protection of intellectual property has both individual and social benefits. It protects the right of the creator of something of

Impact of Tourism on Wildlife-Free-Samples-Myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Impact of Tourism on Wildlife. Answer: Introduction The term tourism can be defined as a travel for the purpose of business or pleasure. The theory of touring, the business that is a result of constant travel, accommodating guests, their entertainment and the task of operating tours is also involved in this term (Hong, 2015).Tourism can involve both international and domestic travelling. Tourism is a growing industry and for many countries, it is a major source of livelihood and income. Tourism tends to involve the economy of both the host country and the source country. Due to the economic slowdown in the period 2007-2008, tourism suffered a great blow. Terrorism, the outbreak of influenza virus and other such activities also played a role in affecting tourism. Tourism involves travelling places that vary from metropolitan cities, villages, beaches, mountain ranges or jungles and wildlife (Ivanov Webster 2012). This report is based on the impact of tourism on wildlife. Wildlife tourism involves observation and interacting with the local plant as well as animal life in their natural habitat. Although this kind of tourism includes eco and friendly tourism, hunting and other high intervention activities also tend to fall under the umbrella of wildlife tourism (Onofri, Nunes, 2013). In simple terms, wildlife tourism can be described as the interaction of humans with wild animals and other marine animals in their own habitat (Dann Chambers, 2013). This interaction is done in various ways, which range from active methods like hunting to passive methods like photography. In various countries like Canada, Australia, Africa, South America, Malaysia and Maldives, wildlife tourism forms and important part of the tourism industry. Recently, this sector has witnesss tremendous growth. Figure 1: Wildlife Safari disturbs parents-offspring relationship (Source: Hall Page, 2014) Water based activities in tourism like cruises, boats, fiving, water bike and others have become an important part of various tourist packages. These tend to interact with the marine animals and affect them adversely (Hall Page, 2014).This report throws light on the impacts of tourism on the wildlife including both animals in the terrestrial environment as well as in the marine. It highlights both the positive effects as well as the negative effects of tourism on these thereby underlying the harm to the life of these animals (Goeldner Ritchie, 2012). The various difficulties in the measurement of the impact of tourism have also been discussed along with the precautionary principle to their management. Impacts of tourism on wildlife Tourism has various impacts on the wildlife existence, some of which have been discussed below: Negative Impacts Wildlife tourism can cause disturbances to animals in their natural habitat. Tourism activities, which tend to based on minimal or no direct contact to the wildlife, tend to affect their lives adversely (Thurstan et al., 2012). The growing interest in being closer to the nature has boosted the resort and hotel constructions, particularly in the forests (Buckley, 2012). Taking the example of Kenya it can be said that the wildlife observing activities tend to drive the cheetah population way from their reserves, which increases the risk of inbreeding, and further endangers their species. Some specified negative impacts have been given below Effect on Breeding and feeding patterns The tourists who visit these places for photography or a hunt can affect the feeding patterns as well as the hunting of some species. An increase in the boat traffic in Manu National Park in Peru greatly disturbs the feeding of the giant otters (Kerlinger et al., 2013). Tourist guides often tend to dig up the nests of the turtle and tend to chase the swimming animals in order to provide the client with better opportunities of coming close to the nature. In Zimbabwe, the noise that tourists generate has had an effect on the drinking and feedback patterns of animals like the black rhinoceros and elephants (Lucrezi, Saayman van der Merwe, 2013). Figure 2: Tourism affects breeding and feeding patterns of the animals(Source: Murphy, 2013). Parent offspring bonds are disrupted The wildlife tourism also tends to have an effect on intra relationships between the animals. It has been observed that when these animals are observed by a group of tourists, they tend to spend less time with their offsprings (Hughes, 2013). Whales, female harp seals and other marine animals have also been affected by these. Increasing vulnerability Very often, certain species, which are viewed in wildlife tourisms, become more vulnerable to predators (Cong et al., 2014). The evidence has been observed in reptiles, mammals and birds Increased mortality and poaching Poaching is a common practice undertaken by hunters where the hunters take the lives of animals for their specific features like horns skin, pelts and other physical features. These features are useful to the hunters as the market value of these is quite high (Kibara, Odhiambo Njuguna, 2012). However, these unique physical features are very important for the animals themselves as they play a crucial rule in their survival against natural predators in their eco-system (Wongthong Harvey, 2014). Figure 3: The marine life is also spoiled by tourism. (Source: Hughes, 2013) Changes in habitat Due to pollution, which results from the smoke emitted by the vehicles carrying the tourists, a great amount of destruction is caused to natural habitats (Ziegler, Dearden Rollins, 2012). Vehicles including all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes ad off road vehicles, which are driven across streams and other water bodies, lead to loss of stability on the steam bank and lead to erosion. Positive Impacts The tourists visiting these wildlife places help in contributing funds required for the conservation of the wild life (Murphy, 2013). The financial donations that are earned help in the conservation efforts. Some wildlife tourism operations contribute to the monitoring of wildlife general research, which is relevant to the conservation. Difficulties in Measuring the Impact of Tourism on Wildlife and application of precautionary principle to their management. Various methods have been formulated to measure the impact of Tourism on Wildlife. Methods like line transect surveys and distance-sampling methods are generally used to study the harmful effect. Line transect surveys are generally done during the morning as well as evening. However, there are certain limitations associated with these methods. For example, in distance sampling theory, many animals remain undetected (OMalley, Lee-Brooks Medd, 2013). Even in methods like visual line transect surveys, the transects are randomly placed thereby creating constraints on establishing the transects in the forest as a whole. Therefore, there is no proper method involved and these methods are often based on assumptions, which are not relevant for all kinds of situations Conclusion Therefore, from the discussion it can be stated that, tourism has an adverse impact on the wildlife habitat as well as population, both terrestrial and marine. These impacts are difficult to measure as there is no proper method to do so. The methods that exist are based on assumptions, which do not apply in all conditions. Hence, the wildlife should be preserved and tourism near wildlife areas should be limited References Buckley, R. (2012). Sustainable tourism: Research and reality.Annals of Tourism Research,39(2), 528-546. Cong, L., Wu, B., Morrison, A. M., Shu, H., Wang, M. (2014). Analysis of wildlife tourism experiences with endangered species: An exploratory study of encounters with giant pandas in Chengdu, China.Tourism Management,40, 300-310. Dann, P., Chambers, L. (2013). Ecological effects of climate change on Little Penguins Eudyptula minor and the potential economic impact on tourism.Climate Research,58(1), 67-79 Goeldner, C. R., Ritchie, J. B. (2012).Tourism: principles, practices, philosophies(No. Ed. 12). John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Hall, C. M., Page, S. J. (2014).The geography of tourism and recreation: Environment, place and space. Routledge. Hong, E. (2015). See the Third World while it lasts: The social and environmental impact of tourism with special reference to Malaysia. Hughes, K. (2013). Measuring the impact of viewing wildlife: do positive intentions equate to long-term changes in conservation behaviour.Journal of Sustainable Tourism,21(1), 42-59. Ivanov, S. H., Webster, C. (2012). Tourisms impact on growth: the role of globalization. Kerlinger, P., Burger, J., Cordell, H. K., Decker, D. J., Cole, D. N., Landres, P., ... Temple, S. (2013).Wildlife and recreationists: coexistence through management and research. Island Press. Kibara, O. N., Odhiambo, N. M., Njuguna, J. M. (2012). Tourism and economic growth in Kenya: an empirical investigation.The International Business Economics Research Journal (Online),11(5), 517. Lucrezi, S., Saayman, M., van der Merwe, P. (2013). Managing diving impacts on reef ecosystems: Analysis of putative influences of motivations, marine life preferences and experience on divers' environmental perceptions.Ocean coastal management,76, 52-63. Murphy, P. E. (2013).Tourism: A community approach (RLE Tourism). Routledge. OMalley, M. P., Lee-Brooks, K., Medd, H. B. (2013). The global economic impact of manta ray watching tourism.PloS one,8(5), e65051. Onofri, L., Nunes, P. A. (2013). Beach lovers and greens: A worldwide empirical analysis of coastal tourism.Ecological Economics,88, 49-56. Thurstan, R. H., Hawkins, J. P., Neves, L., Roberts, C. M. (2012). Are marine reserves and non-consumptive activities compatible? A global analysis of marine reserve regulations.Marine Policy,36(5), 1096-1104. Wongthong, P., Harvey, N. (2014). Integrated coastal management and sustainable tourism: A case study of the reef-based SCUBA dive industry from Thailand.Ocean Coastal Management,95, 138-146. Ziegler, J., Dearden, P., Rollins, R. (2012). But are tourists satisfied? Importance-performance analysis of the whale shark tourism industry on Isla Holbox, Mexico.Tourism Management,33(3), 692-701.

Clockworks Orange Essays - Criminology, A Clockwork Orange, Films

Clockworks Orange In the 1960's our developing world faces many of it's impurities. The youth of this nation fight for equal right, equality of the races and freedom of speech. But not all the protests are legal. Many people are guilty of treason and must be punished but with an over crowded prison system were will these political prisoners be sent. The common criminals are flooding the system with there petty robbers, assaults and murders. We need to deal with the common criminal before we can deal with the political. The novel The Clockwork Orange written by Anthony Burgess depicts the life of a child of the night (Alex). Him and his droogs (friends) see life as something worthless as they rape, assault and murder their way though their teenage-hood. To help cure this problem the government comes up with a new way a deal with criminals. This method included the relation between crime and physical pain. The method is first used on Alex when he was arrested. It works and he is released into society a violence free man. In the end Alex grows out of the treatment and goes back on a crime spree. He continues this until he grows out of teenage hood. The novel itself is well written, though it is a hard read. It contains over 200 Russian words that the reader must decipher themselves due to the fact that Anthony Burgess will not allow a glossary in any of his printings. The novel which is narrated by the man character pulls you into his life and shows the reader what goes through the mind of the criminally insane. The flow of the novel is easy to follow with little confusion on what is in each section. Many insights can be derived from this book and it can be used to support many different topics. A well rounded book that gives the reader wanting more. The power of youth is growing in the 60's. Teenager fight for their rights but when they have nothing more to fight for they will need something else to do. Most teens when bored turn to drug and crime as a source of pleasure. To deal with this me must stop it by sending the youth to correctional facilities. When these don't work adult punishments must be given. But what if we could trace back into the mind and find why we commit crimes. The Clockworks Orange first tries to help us understand why one commits a crime. No one will ever understand why someone would want to kills or rape or assault anyone. There may never be an answer for it. Some people like the feeling most guess. With this in mind there must be a way to counteract this good feeling. Once we understand why we must find a way to treat the criminals. Many governments, monarchy and dictatorships have tried to deal with this problem. The government within the novel tries to associated physical pain to the idea of violence. Some scientists believe the reason one turns to violence is because it makes the individual feel good, that it satisfies a hungry (even sexually needs).This method works in te novel but has side effects just like all other methods. It leaves the individual helpless in all threatening situations. The method of criminal control fails just like many that have in real life. The way we deal with criminals hasn't changed much in the past 50 years. Prisons are over crowded and repeat offenders are very common. To deal with the common criminal will first take an understanding of why they commit crimes then we must learn how to deal with them. Once we understand the common thief or the average robber will we be able to deal with the criminal masterminds,

3 Ways To Increase the Pressure of a Gas

3 Ways To Increase the Pressure of a Gas One common science homework question is to list 3 ways to increase the  pressure of a gas container or a balloon. This is an excellent question because answering it helps you understand what pressure is and how gases behave. What Is Pressure? Pressure is the amount of force exerted over a unit of area. P F/A Pressure Force divided by Area As you can see from looking at the equation, two ways to increase pressure are to increase the amount of force or decrease the area over which it is exerted. How exactly do you do that? Thats where the Ideal Gas Law comes into play. Pressure and the Ideal Gas Law At low (ordinary) pressures, real gases behave like ideal gases, so you can use the Ideal Gas Law to determine how to increase the pressure of a system. The Ideal Gas Law states: PV nRT Where P is pressure, V is volume, n is the number of moles of a gas, R is Boltzmanns constant, and T is temperature If we solve for P: P (nRT)/V Three Ways to Increase the Pressure of a Gas Increase the amount of gas. This is represented by the n in the equation. Adding more molecules of a gas increases the number of collisions between the molecules and the walls of the container. This raises pressure.Increase the temperature of the gas. This is represented by T in the equation. Increasing temperature adds energy to the gas molecules, increasing their motion and, again, increasing collisions.Decrease the volume of the gas. This is the V in the equation. By their very nature, gases can be compressed, so if the same gas can be put into a smaller container, it will exert a higher pressure. The gas molecules will be forced closer to each other, increasing collisions (force) and pressure.

Lobbing group Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Lobbing group - Essay Example Freedom House central mission is to ensure the government is accountable to their people, the right rule of law is upheld, there is freedom of speech and expression for all, association and ensure there is respect for freedom and rights of the minority. Freedom House mainly concentrates on laws regarding human rights the civil society and in regards to communication and information. It focuses on rules that facilitate free and unbiased flow of information and ideas through the media or the Internet. Freedom House targets mainly the legislators who pass and amend the laws regarding freedom of speech, free Internet and freedom of the media and the security agencies that are against freedom of communication and the Internet. Freedom House is a board of trustees who are comprised of mainly labor leaders, business leaders, former senior government officials, scholars, journalists and writers. The board members and the organization do not identify itself with either the Democratic or the Republican parties in the USA. The members who join have to have one voice and agree that promotion and making the government accountable for human rights and democracy is crucial to American citizens interests locally, internationally and towards achieving international peace. Policy agenda of Freedom House especially the freedom of expression and that of global Internet freedom has support from individuals and large corporations. Supporters especially the staff members and board members who dedicate their time and money towards Freedom House are mainly political enthusiasts who want a liberal society where the government is accountable. Achieving such interests for themselves and the community they live in will ensure a better life in general for the country and the world as a whole. Some members of the organization are businessmen who make donations to the Freedom House

Credit Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Credit Management - Essay Example The six specific items of information those are available from a cooperative bank source are agreement details, government registration, balance sheet details, tax return details, reserve bank registration and annual banking transactions. (Lock, 330) It should be taken into account the relevancy of marketable securities depend on the nature of those marketable securities depending on the formulated ascertained value projected. From the credit-grantor's standpoint the best possible marketable securities would be those that are easily liquidated and low in risk. (Lock, 19) The major advantage of a customer's accounts receivable that is ageing is that this would be one of the most applicable means of security possible. Apart from that there remains chance that if used properly this customer's accounts receivable would fetch more premium than the customer's own capacity. (Lock, 176) To ascertain the consistency of the customer over a period of time the value of "Spreading" successive balance sheets on comparison forms is one of the most advantageous instruments for the credit grantor. This is the best possible proof of the customer's credibility. (Lock, 119) There are several advantages of setting credit lines for established customers but the most important could be defined as mutual benefit in terms of trust obtained. The second can be treated as goodwill calculation theory that allows the client to benefit from the credit line. Thirdly it becomes important for the company to overlook few objectives as the customer is tested and proved. (Lock, 22) 9.) You hold a $30,000.00 order from a customer whose regular line of credit is $10,000.00. The customer explains that this out-of-routine order will cover their needs for the next 90 days. The customer has always been prompt and owes nothing at present. Explain why you would accept this order for triple your credit line The prime reason of granting this order to the customer is that the customer's credibility is well tested and proved. Thus it becomes obvious that the customer is to be trusted as a credit line is already established. However, with the assurance from the customer it could be enumerated safe to grant this order. (Lock,

Effect of Globalisation on Communication in Tourism Industry

Effect of Globalisation on Communication in Tourism Industry Globalisation and the Internet have changed every aspect of the tourism and leisure industry – from marketing and communication channels to booking and hospitality services. Many of the previous strategies employed by the industry no longer are effective because of these new market forces. Organisations within the tourist and leisure industry must be attuned to the shift in consumer and business trends related to where they seek information and book their travel in order to maintain or grow their businesses. Companies should also be aware of how various communication channels can be leverage to attract specific regional tourist markets. This paper examines both traditional and innovative communication channels – print, media, Internet, agencies and booking companies, and word-of-mouth – to distinguish between what is effective and non-effective now and in the near future based on specific trends that are currently influencing the industry’s evolution. As t he research found will illustrate, the effectiveness or non-effectiveness of each channel is linked to the travel stage – from planning and booking to the destination experience and journey home. Traditional communication channels within the travel industry have centred on booking agencies an shops, print media and advertising, marketing collateral, and television and radio. When it comes to the destination experience, word-of-mouth, travel kiosks, and tourist centres are other traditional channels that seem to work well.[1] These channels were – and, to a certain extent, still – able to provide brand promotion, nurture customer relationships, and offer a â€Å"value proposition.†[2] In relation to marketing efforts, traditional channels â€Å"follow a passive one-to-many communication model, whereby a company reaches current and potential customers through the broadcasting of the same message.†[3] However, in terms of today’s marketing strategies, there are a number of reasons why this channel is not effective: â€Å"uncustomised message to every consumer, wasted exposures to uninterested audiences, and ‘noise’ distraction fro m competing and conflicting messages.†[4] Additionally, traditional mass media formats of print, television and radio do not offer the new demands for interactivity, flexibility, and accessibility.[5] In terms of booking travel, these channels may still attract a certain demographic of travellers, but they mediums do not reach the potential audience that might be possible if more innovative channels were utilised. This is because of a movement related to consumer preferences from the â€Å"High Street† to the Internet.[6] In addition, these channels could also be considered ineffective based on their inability to maximise monetary resources. These channels can also be ineffective in that they do not build repeat business or encourage long-term relationships with customers because there is an inability to develop specific, customised communications. Print, television and radio tend to be more expensive while booking agencies and shops tend to produce higher overhead costs, making these more expensive than some of the newer methods of communication that rely on technology to reach more people while minimising the cost of using these channels. The traditional methods of commun ication tend to be more fragmented, reducing the level of brand recognition and equity that could be achieved through some of the more innovative channels.[7] One aspect where traditional communication channels may still be effective is with destination guides and services once travel has been booked and the trip has commenced. For example, it is estimated that 60-70 per cent of visitors to the UK will still use travel books and guides while 10-20 per cent will still seek Tourist Information Centres or related â€Å"in person† service to get their information.[8] While 25 per cent may utilise the Internet or a mobile device while others will use a combination of traditional and technology communication channels to find information about their destination while travelling,[9] traditional channels seem to be more effective during this part of the experience. There are signs, however, that indicate that technology may enable these communication channels to become more effective in addressing travellers who are seeking unique destination experiences and on-demand information. While basic information, such as specifics on major attractions, hotels, restaurants, and the like, will still be sought, there may be a need to also supply information on unique places, opening and closing times, special exhibitions, and smaller attractions.[10] As travellers become more technologically savvy, the traditional methods may no longer satisfy demand. As one study noted: For example, growth is being realised in handheld devices that â€Å"combine cell phone voice communication, Internet access and global positioning – enabling visitors ‘en route’ to a destination to access product information and make bookings; to put together itineraries; and to relate their position quickly to nearby services (theatre, restaurants, attractions, events, etc.[11] Those destination service organisations currently focused on traditional communication channels may want to start strategising on how to incorporate new channels into their offering to retain their customer base. More than other industries, tourism is an â€Å"information-intensive† industry that consists of numerous producers that need to work together to serve their clientele.[12] As such, it was one of the first industries to widely adopt[13] some of the emerging communication channels, such as the Internet, which has increased the â€Å"interactivity between consumers and suppliers.†[14] Not only does it provide an inexpensive delivery channel for information, but it also â€Å"empowers the marketing and communication functions of remote, peripheral and insular destinations as well as small and medium sized tourism enterprises which become able to communicate directly with their prospective customers and differentiate their product according to their needs.†[15] Traditional communication channels could not provide the geographic reach that a channel like the Internet has now been able to do in creating an infrastructure that enables information convergence. One niche where the Internet has been particularly effective as a channel for the tourist and leisure industry is marketing communications and advertising by creating a â€Å"narrowcast.†[16] In terms of addressability, those utilising this channel can also provide unique experiences for the consumer. Customisation of information and the ability to create unique sales propositions make newer communication channels, such as the Internet and database management, more effective than its traditional predecessors. The Internet can effectively mirror the benefits of personal selling techniques â€Å"but with much more flexibility, better memory and less cost.†[17] This need for customisation comes from the growing shift in the demographics of today and tomorrow’s traveller. As one research firm noted: â€Å"More attention will need to be given to tailoring propositions to suit the ageing population, those with more time and money to spend on leisure, the childless cou ples seeking quality time, or the emerging traveller nations of China and Central Europe.†[18] Strategies now must address â€Å"multi-generational needs, wants and desires.†[19] The introduction of mobile handsets and high-tech communication channels has helped the industry â€Å"develop and leverage customer relationships and to interact with more customers across more channels than ever before.†[20] The ability to achieve this also creates effective cross-selling opportunities that might not have been possible using traditional channels.[21] Related to these demographic trends, consumer and business demand is also now on an instantaneous cycle. Provide the information that they need or they will move onto the competition. Traditional methods cannot adapt to these lead times[22], making the Internet and real-time answers via web sites a more effective method. Online travel agents are an excellent example of just how effective the Internet is as a communication channel. As one research firm explained, â€Å"The global reach of the worldwide web brings the massive network of suppliers, such as airlines, hotels and tour operators, within the reach of millions of customers.†[23] Unlike a traditional travel agency, online channels provide 24/7 access, real-time updates, and the ability for multiple brands and travel products to be offered simultaneously for the lowest price, reducing the time that the consumer or business has to spend searching for their travel needs.[24] There is also a degree of transparency in pricin g that has never been possible.[25] No traditional communication method can deliver this type of effectiveness. Despite the effectiveness that the Internet and technology have brought to the travel industry, one aspect that illustrates the advantage of traditional methods comes down to personal service. Unfortunately, technology removes the intimacy of face-to-face communication channels. In response, many organisations utilising technology are providing telephone support so that customers still feel that connection.[26] An interesting aspect of business that is becoming a growing part of the tourist industry is environmentally based and involves Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This becomes especially important in new and emerging economies.[27] In looking at other aspects of the travel and leisure industry that utilise communication channels, the use of local community groups, community leaders, and media organisations[28] are two channels that work effectively to help develop a sustainable tourist trade in developing countries, such as those in Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia. These channels can help create a tourist trade in less modernised areas through such â€Å"grassroots† tactics as â€Å"training; participatory workshops; community, group, and individual meetings; local radio; school newsletters; and local events.†[29] In these areas, more advanced channels, such as the Internet, may not be effective except for attracting travellers from Westernised cultures that rely o n this technology to find information. If the goal is to attract more foreign tourists, investment in tactics utilising this type of channel might then become an effective mechanism for a sustainable tourist and leisure industry. The Internet could then become an important way â€Å"to put local tourism micro-enterprises into direct contact with the global market of travellers.†[30] The changing levels of effectiveness in the various travel and leisure communication channels have had the greatest negative impact on smaller, niche travel agencies. They cannot compete with larger online entities that have the resources to participate in the newer, more effective channels created through technological advancements and the globalisation efforts of travel and hospitality firms. Other aspects of the travel and leisure industry can look to utilise both traditional and emerging communication channels for effective coverage and interaction with their customers by enhancing their marketing and promotional efforts while expanding the capabilities of their service offering. The tourist and leisure industry will need to continue utilising a multi-pronged approach through the power of multiple communication channels to serve all its customers. WORKS CITED Buhalis, Dimitrios. â€Å"Information Technology as a Strategic Tool for Tourism and Hospitality Management in the New Millennium.† Tourism Review, No. 2, 1996, pp. 34-36). Grenna, Lucia; Hilbruner, Roberta; Santi, Emanuele; Scuppa, Gianmarco; and Vereczi, Gabor. â€Å"Communication and Sustainable Tourism.† USAID, 2006, pp. 1-27. Kyriakidis, Alex. â€Å"Tourism, Hospitality Leisure – Executive Report.† Deloitte Touche UK, 2003, pp. 1-26. Liu, Zhenhua. â€Å"Internet Tourism Marketing: Potential and Constraints.† Hotel Online. 2000. http://www.geocities.com/luke1980nz/intermet_tourism_marketing_full.htm?20071>. Raleigh, Lori. â€Å"Top Ten Issues in the Hospitality Industry for 2007.† International Society of Hospitality Consultants. November 2006. http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2006_4th/Nov06_ISHC.html>. Wright, Tom. â€Å"Customer Contact Services.† VisitBritain. October 2004, pp. 1-33. Footnotes [1] Wright, â€Å"Customer Contact Services,† VisitBritain (2004), 6. [2] Kyriakidis, â€Å"Tourism, Hospitality Leisure – Executive Report.† Deloitte Touche UK (2003), 1. [3] Liu, â€Å"Internet Tourism Marketing: Potential and Constraints.† Hotel Online. (2006), 3. [4] Ibid, 3. [5] Ibid, 4-5. [6] Kyriakidis, Deloitte Touche UK, 4. [7] Ibid, 4. [8] Wright, VisitBritain, 3. [9] Ibid, 3. [10] Ibid, 8. [11] Ibid, 8. [12] Liu, Hotel Online, 7. [13] Ibid, 7. [14] Buhalis, â€Å"Information Technology as a Strategic Tool.† Tourism Review. (1996), 35. [15] Ibid, 36. [16] Liu, Hotel Online, 3. [17] Ibid, 4. [18] Kyriakidis, Deloitte Touche UK, 1. [19] Raleigh, â€Å"Top Ten Issues in the Hospitality Industry for 2007.† International Society of Hospitality Consultants. (2006), 6. [20] Kyriakidis, Deloitte Touche UK, 1. [21] Ibid, 5. [22] Ibid, 1. [23] Ibid, 4. [24] Ibid, 4. [25] Ibid, 5. [26] Ibid, 7. [27] Grenna et al. â€Å"Communication and Sustainable Tourism.† USAID (2006), 7. [28] Ibid, 7. [29] Ibid, 7. [30] Ibid, 8.