Tourism and Hospitality Equipment and Technology

Writing Guidelines for “Tourism and Hospitality Equipment and Technology”

Tourism and hospitality equipment and technology include the physical devices, machines, software, digital systems and technical infrastructure used in accommodation, food service, transportation, attractions, events and visitor services.

Entries prepared for The Encyclopedia of World Tourism should explain the relevant equipment or technology objectively and on the basis of reliable sources. The entry should examine its function, historical development, technical features, application areas and significance for tourism or hospitality. Safety, accessibility, sustainability, maintenance and data protection should also be addressed where relevant.

Entry Format

1) Entry Title
[Name of the Equipment / Technology / Device / Software / System]

Use the generally accepted English name. An acronym, application area, manufacturer, model or technical feature may be added in parentheses when necessary.

Examples:

Property Management System (PMS)
Commercial Convection Oven
Hotel Mobile Key
Building Management System (BMS)
Hospitality Service Robot
Interactive Visitor Information Kiosk
Commercial brands and individual models should receive separate entries only when they possess documented historical, technological or sectoral significance.

2) Introductory Statement
The introductory statement should not exceed 250 characters.
Briefly identify the equipment or technology, its principal function and its main tourism or hospitality application.

3) Main Text
The main text must contain at least 400 words. “See Also” and “References” are excluded from the word count. The entry should begin with the introductory statement.

The following headings are recommended. They may be adapted, combined or omitted when not relevant.

3.1 Definition and Area of Use

What is the equipment, technology or system?
What principal function does it perform?
Is it a physical device, machine, software, digital system or infrastructure?
In which tourism or hospitality sector is it used?
What are its main types or classifications?
Distinguish equipment, technology, systems and infrastructure according to their actual technical functions.

3.2 Historical Development

Origin and earliest applications
Inventor, developer or manufacturer, if historically significant
Initial use in tourism or hospitality
Major technical developments
Technologies or working practices it replaced or transformedImportant periods of adoption, decline or renewal
Historical claims should include dates and reliable sources.

3.3 Technical Features and Operating Principles

Main physical or digital components
Materials, software or system architecture
Operating principle
Capacity and performance characteristics
Energy, water, network or data requirements
Interfaces, sensors and control mechanisms
Integration with other equipment or systems
Technical explanations should be understandable to non-specialist readers. Numerical specifications should identify the model, version, unit and source.

3.4 Application Areas and Users

Hotels, resorts, restaurants, airports, attractions, visitor centres, cruise ships or other workplaces
Guest-facing and employee-facing applications
Departments and occupations using the equipment
Indoor, outdoor, mobile or fixed use
Role within the production or service process
Manual, automated or autonomous operation
Do not describe a technology as standard throughout the sector unless this is supported by comparative evidence.

3.5 Benefits, Limitations, and Operational Effects

Effects on speed, capacity, accuracy and service quality
Contribution to visitor comfort and experience
Labour, training and organizational requirements
Acquisition, installation and operating costs
Reliability, maintenance and technical support
Dependence on suppliers, software or other systems
Principal risks and limitations
Claims about efficiency, safety, intelligence or customer satisfaction should be supported by evidence rather than promotional statements.

3.6 Safety, Accessibility, Data, and Sustainability
Where applicable, explain:

Occupational and visitor safety
Technical standards and legal requirements
Physical and digital accessibility
Emergency and fail-safe functions
Energy and water consumption
Waste, durability, repair and recycling
Personal or operational data collection
Privacy and cybersecurity
Effects on employees and users
Mandatory legal requirements should be distinguished from voluntary standards and manufacturer recommendations.

3.7 Current Status and Significance

Current level and geography of use
Competing or alternative technologies
Recent developments
Artificial intelligence, robotics, automation or smart functions
Contribution to tourism and hospitality operations
Effects on service quality, accessibility, safety and sustainability
Principal limitations and future prospects
Conclude with a concise evaluation of the equipment or technology’s technical, historical and sectoral importance. State the version and information cut-off date for rapidly changing technologies.

Visual Materials

Photographs, technical drawings, interface images or process diagrams may be included when they improve understanding. Every visual must include its source, date, creator and copyright information. Visuals should not function as commercial advertisements.

Citation and References

All entries must follow APA 7th edition. Every source cited in the text must appear in the reference list, and every reference must be cited in the text.

Detailed information on APA Style: https://apastyle.apa.org/