UNIT 2

Structure
2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5

TOURISM INFORMATION: SOURCES

2.6

2.7 2.8 2.9

Objectives Introduction Importance of Information Areas of Information Generation Sources of Information I Sources of Information II 2.5.1 Travel Agency and Tour Operators 2.5.2 Hotel Indus try Sources of Information: Media 2.6.1 Newspapers, Magazines and Advertisements 2.6.2 Specialised Publications 2.6.3 Non-Print Media Case Study : USA Eco-Tourism Statistical Fact-Sheet Let Us Sum Up Clues to Answer

2.0 OBJECTIVES
After reading this Unit you will be able to know the: importance of information on tourism for a professional, roles of the main government and non-governmental agencies which provide tourism related information, role of private agencies and associations as sources of tourism information, and sources for such information at appropriate places in the print media and internet.

2.1 INTRODUCTION
Word of mouth or oral communication has been the most common source of information. When a tourist comes back or a first time traveller pose a variety of questions like where can you stay? Which airlines to fly with? What makes it better than the others? etc. But here one must remember that the answers coming back are that of an individuals experiences. It is possible that this individual was not aware of the options available or in other words had access to only limited information. Yet oral communication remains the initial information-seeking channel. However, tourism services and operations involve specialised skills. It is, therefore, imperative for a professional working in the tourism industry to acquire up-to-date knowledge and information in as many diverse forms as is possible. It is no doubt a sure ingredient of success in tourism industry. This Unit, therefore, is intended to serve as guidelines for both the beginner as well as a more experienced hand in tourism industry as to the possible sources of information generation pertaining to tourism markets. The learner, with a little bit of practice, will surely be able to grasp the technique of culling similar information from a score of other sources. Specialised information is generated by individual participant in the industry. For instance, World Tourism Organisation, World Travel and Tourism Council, Hotels and Restaurants Associations, Tour Operation Associations, Airline Operation groups, Tourism Marketing Associations, players of ICE segment (information technology, communication and entertainment) as well as MICE segments (Meeting, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions), etc. all generate and seek information. This Unit is, therefore, designed to communicate to you generation sources of such specialised information required for market planning and market research by these various components of tourism industry.
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2.2 IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION

There may be ample illustrations to suggest that collecting and possessing information is vital for a successful career in tourism. However, some of the priority areas can be listed as: 1) Planning Planning is the backbone of tourism services and operations. Even when you have to repeat the operations year after year, there has to be fresh input of planning each year. In fact a four-pronged strategy for planning in tourism services seems to work well. The elements of this strategy are: retrospective analysis, current perceptions, introspective analysis, and futuristic vision.

In each case a sufficient information base becomes inevitability. Because, if we plan well, we act well; if we act well we get the desired results. It cannot be refuted that scientific and technological developments have made it essential for the tourism organisations to act on the basis of a scientific and intelligent plan and this calls for not only a thorough overhaul of information collected at periodic intervals but also for a specific consideration to information collection from as varied sources as you can actually tap. 2) Managing Managing to satisfy the customer is the life of tourism industry. It is at this level that a tour can make or break. Admirable management is the most common accolades for making a tour memorable experience. Besides training, therefore, it is the different kind of information input that tourism professionals require in managing his/her tour as an important component. Some major areas under which information is generally needed while managing tours are: tourist profiles, kinds of tour packages available, different modes of travel that can be arranged, types of accommodation, knowledge of the destination area, and kinds of ancillary services that can be procured.

It is desirable that a variety of information on these subjects is collected by you to be a professional. A successful management of the tours hinges, rather heavily, on the availability of this information. 3) Promotion Promotion is what facilitates the selling of tours. The central objective of all promotional efforts is to inform , generate interest and involve . Here again, interest and involvement may be generated by providing the tourist with interesting, attractive and useful information as much as to convert need in to a purchase. Some of the more common and often repeated methods of promotion are:
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Presentation introductory in nature and essentially aimed at providing information.

Publicity a more vigorous promotion and exercise, with the help of detailed information, and Advertising is a tool providing specialised information with promotional mix.

4) Future Orientation Future orientation is possible. How do we manage our future is an important consideration. Specially for getting the desired results at present, future orientation becomes an integral part of development and expansion of your operations. Analysing forecasts about tourist movements, emerging trends, nature of competition etc. all depend on information. By knowing your past you can predict the developments in future. With the help of scientifically and technically generated information your organisation finds it easy to adopt even an over ambitious plan. The promotional efforts may be innovated, product mix can be restructured, the tourist guides and hotel personnel can be properly trained; provided that the requirements are known that too well in advance, i.e., through information generation. 5) Image Projection The magnitude of image problem influences the intensity of success. It is difficult for any organisation to exist if the image problem continues. The projection of a fair image thus becomes the integral part of our marketing strategy. Since in tourism purchasing decision of buyer works on impulses, i.e., if anything wrong with the image of the destination comes to the knowledge of the buyer this negative image will gain ground as fast as fire spreads in the forest. Information generated, with the support of graphic presentation of dev elopment trends, makes it is easy to convince the target users of services about the standard and quality of facilities and services at the destination. Besides, as a result of quality of information generated communicative abilities are improved which sim plifies the task of advertiser in composing the sensitive organs to produce a positive image. Since this is the process of influencing the impulse using the tourist services which become easier when we succeed in persuading them. You also need information about the methods used by your competitors in tourism markets for image projection. You would notice that all aforesaid facts testify the significance of information generation in making sensitive marketing decisions. It is against this background that alm ost all organisations either producing goods or generating services attempt to institute and develop sources of information generation. As you know that the entire drama of marketing is promoted by potential users of goods or services, information generated pave the way for their transformation in to the actual users. The tourist organisations are also required to manage the marketing information since the image problem in tourism has been questioning their existence. Hence, information generation shall be seen as an integral part of modern marketing management. In subsequent sections of this Unit you will learn various areas for which specialised sources of information exist and which supplies information related to statistics, plans, rules, regulation and laws covering different segments of tourism business.

2.3 AREAS FOR INFORMATION GENERATION

By now you must have realised that information generation is an essential activity for successful operations of any activity or component of tourism industry. If you look at Table 1, it would be clear that here the main purpose is to understand the nature and structure of markets both domestic and international, so that tourists needs and services are fairly matched at the destination sites. The task of choosing the right target markets is also simplified as the destinations, attractions and facilities can be rightly matched. The information given in Table 1, if followed properly, would be convenient for tour operators, travel agents, tourist organisations and hotels, etc., to practice marketing of tourism services/goods effectively.

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Table 1 On Tourists The information regarding options and attitudes and travel behaviour and motivations. The important information covers image of destinations, products, competitors offering, prices, quality and services, promotional and selling activities, channel and experience of tour operators. Regarding travel behaviour and motivation, the information one related to motivation for travel, location accommodation, mode of transport, frequency of visits, services at hotels, actual relations to prices, destination and products.

On Markets

Regarding characteristics and trends, size, major segments, locations, details of demography, market-share and developments. Trends by market segments, type of product, methods of distribution, role of tour operators, travel agents, national transport organisation and tourist information centres. Effects of centralised and computerised reservation systems, effects of direct selling or selling via clubs, universities, etc. Counters in departmental stores and supermarkets, effects of sales of holiday homes, apartments, hotels, etc.

On Products

National resources (Scenery, climate, flora and fauna, sporting events, e.g., skiing, golf, etc., protection of environment, anti-pollution needs or regulations. Infrastructure roads, rails, telecommunications, electricity, gas, water banks, hospitals, food stores, police, courts, garages, book shops, etc. Superstructure hotels and other forms of acc ommodations, restaurants, travel agents, car rental facilities, information offices. Cultural heritage historical monuments, handicraft centres, museums, art galleries, ruins and other relics of past civilisations or cultures, local life styles and customs, etc. Access and transport facilities airports, railway system, rivers, lakes, etc.

On Competition On Environment

Competitors strategies, policies, products, prices, promotion, sales contribution. Economic Stability types of consumers, their behaviour, income patterns, purchasing power, geographical markets, motivators employment levels. Socio-ethical Population life style, education, age patterns, socio-ethical attitudes, standards, behaviour, cultural background, urban or rural family size, spending habits, social institutions, travel and holiday tendencies. Political and Legal Political attitudes, Government involvement in tourism, laws, regulations, controls, taxation, foreign exchange rates, etc.

2.4 SOURCES OF INFORMATION I

As you have already read about these sources in TS-1, Unit 4, the tourism related information is being largely generated by governments, both at centre and at state levels, at Centre, Department of Tourism has a Statistical and Implementation Division to collect, compute, administer and manage the information collected. This information generated is used by the Department in planning, production and development of tourism goods and services both at national and international level. The information generated by Department of Tourism broadly focuses upon: i) Destination Information,

ii) Booklets on availability of hotels, restaurants and other services both primary and ancillary available at destination. iii) Tourist guides and maps showing sites and their accessibility.

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iv) Procedural formalities for international tourists, permits for entry in restricted areas, etc. v) Specially developed tourism products like heritage properties, vi) Tourist profiles and other related data, etc. Department of Tourism provides this information free of cost. This enables you to select and pick up information material of your interest and use the relevant information. In fact, for most of the countries such information is available on their websites. Besides, Department of Tourism at Centre, State Tourism Development Corporations have started collecting and disseminating information on areas of tourist interest, available facilities and services, government plans for the development of tourism in these areas, etc. For instance, state departments of Kerala, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Orissa and U.P. have geared up to generate and use information scientifically and technically. Information generated by these states on areas mentioned in Table 2, is useful for the industry. The tourism industry is a multi-segment industry in which different categories of users come to the attraction. If the information is well generated and managed the marketing activities can be managed well. Spotting the opportunity, however, is a difficult task but sources of information generation is instituted properly, removes complexities and the marketer can succeed in reaching to the right target users.
Table 2: Key Sources of Information in Tourism Users Industry Current, potential from current markets and those to be developed. Airlines, tour operators, travel agents, hotels and other accommodation units, tourist transporters, etc. at home and overseas. At home and overseas At home and overseas and travel trade and t hose of hotels, carriers, etc. Government Sources: Department of Tourism, State Tourism Departments, Airlines, Railways, WTO, WTTC, etc. Trade and Government specialists media: Travel magazines for leisure and business travellers. Internal records (Bills, invoices, quotations) Relevant Publications by Universities, banks, Chambers of Commerce International bodies WTO, WTTC, EEC, UNDP, etc.

Competition Trade Association Official Statistics

Publications

The Firm Others

2.5 SOURCES OF INFORMATION II

Private agencies have, over the years, acquired a greater share in tourism development and promotion. Following are the sources of information from private sector:

2.5.1 Travel Agency and Tour Operators

Tour operators are intended at basically packaging or managing a tour. The promotional activities were, in the beginning ancillary in nature. However, of late, the tour operators have become promoters and managers together. In the process of operating a tour they generate information which would help and benefit their clients. The main categories of such information are given below: Tourist Attractions: The Tour operators, just like the Department of Tourism and State Tourism Department issue brochures on main tourist attractions in India. However, each one of them confines t the area or interest on which he/she is doing business. The popularity of the o Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur) or Emerald Triangle (Bangalore-Mysore-Ooty) is the direct result of this kind of promotion.
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Boarding and Lodging: Accommodation and catering is the next main concern. You will, therefore, find an equally large number of books/brochures, serving the purpose of a hotel and restaurant guide, flooding the book mart. The FHRAI in collaboration with DOT publishes every year the Hotel and Restaurant Guide of India. This is the most informative source in the area. Covering type of property, its location, services and above all at what price. Shopping: Tour operators also promote the crafts of India in a big way. You will thus find a large number of boo ks describing the craft traditions of India. Additionally you may also come across guides describing the Central/State Government Emporia as the shops for purchasing the craft goods of India.

2.5.2

Hotel Industry

There are many hotels in the country which sell package tours to both the domestic as well as international tourists. The information generated thus includes the following details of the area: Historical attractions, Craft attractions, Exotica, Cuisine, Room tariffs and services available, etc.

In many cases the information would appear to be just duplication of the one available in the brochures issued by the Department of Tourism or by tour operators but they have specific focus on features of hotel properties available in areas of tourist interest, e.g., closer to airport, on railway station, road or facing the lake, etc. We, therefore, advice that for your area, try to scan through the information available from the hotel industry and keep safely the new, valuable information. Private businesses also hire consultants or marketing research firms to generate information about tourism markets.

2.6 SOURCES OF INFORMATION: MEDIA

As a source of information the print/other media generally serves the purpose of addendum. The main categories of print media information of your interest would be:

2.6.1

Newspapers, Magazines and Advertisements

The newspapers and magazines have today started publishing tourism related information in a big way. In almost all the national dailies important magazines and in th e regional language newspapers there is periodic reporting of special supplements on tourism. They contain information on the general and specific destinations under the following heads: History, Geography and topography, Craft traditions, Accessibility and accommodation, Cuisine and catering, Shopping, Higher education opportunity, etc.

Most of these write ups are today done by reputed travellers/tourism experts and should, therefore, be preserved by you. Advertisements are an important source of information on tourism. They tell you about tariffs, off season discounts, tour packages, types of accommodation, view resorts, airline
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schedules and fares and above all in present scenario of ethical or unethical competition, competitive advantages like hidden cos ts, etc. of each products over the others.

2.6.2 Specialised Publications

With the promotion of tourism as an important industry there have begun appearing specialised monographs on various aspects of tourism. These can be categorised as under: Travel and Tourism Definitions, Tourism Management, Tourism Guiding, Cultural Tourism, Wildlife Tourism Studies, Island and Beach Tourism, Desert Safaris, Hill Resorts, Adventure Tourism, Convention Tourism, etc.

Some of these publications are a hotch-potch of information gathered from random sources. They should be discarded. But the other books are a good source of information, as is evident from the categories mentioned above, on specialised themes pertaining to the tourism studies. You must select, from among several titles, the books you find as easy and intelligible reading. This will update your knowledge and help you in evolving new skills pertaining to your profession.

2.6.3 Non-Print Media

Today TV serials, sponsored programmes, films, commercials, documentaries, prom otional films, etc. are important sources of information on tourism. With the help of video films and CD ROMs one can show the tourists the type of services available or one can have a look at the quality and size of rooms in a hotel before packaging them in the tour and so on. In fact non-print media is fast picking up. It is a reported fact that ever -since our filmwalas have started marketing destinations like London, Mauritius, Switzerland and many more outbound travel movements have increased manifold in these destinations. Internet as a source of information: The fact that internet is growing in usefulness and importance is compounding. What started as a research project has rapidly become an important information source for many people in both their personal and professional lives. Some people now use internet many times each day in their work and then go home and continue to use it for private communication and information generation for pleasure purposes. The same internet can give you travel information for your next big or holiday trip to London or Singapore. At present there are hundreds of sites of travel companies providing information on wide areas of tour operations, besides getting information of general nature you can also book your self an airline ticket or hotel room in any part of the world after going through the details and dimensions of airlines and properties that you are going to use at destination. The internet is replacing many other entities the way it is used. People now turn to int ernet in the way they turn to libraries, encyclopaedias, newspapers, magazines, catalogues, brochures, travel agents, maps with weather conditions at different times, governmental pamphlets or even physical locations for advises. Inbound and outbound data, new trends, etc. can also be found on websites. Today availability of statistics both national and international is not difficult. The statistical analysis of satellite account and tourist arrivals and their receipts worked out by World Travel and Tourism Council as well as World Tourism Organisation are now readily available on the internet for the use by researchers as well as enterprises. Many marketing agencies put their findings also on the websites and charge a fee for accessing them.
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Check Your Progress 1) Discuss the importance of information for a tourist service provider. . . . . 2) What are the various sources of information? . . . .

2.7 CASE STUDY: USA ECO-TOURISM STATISTICAL FACTSHEET

We give you here a case study of USA Eco-tourism Statistical Fact -sheet. This is a reproduction of the report on the website of The Eco-tourism Society. It tells you how information is generated and used.

United States
The U.S. ranked second among most visited destinations in 1997 (TIA) with 48.9 million arrivals. The Travel Industry Association also found in 1998, 1.305 billion one-person trips 100 miles or more away from home were made by U.S. residents and that U.S. resident and international travellers to the U.S. spent more than $495 billion in 1998 on travel-related expenses within the U.S., up 2.8% over 1997. During 1998, spending by U.S. resident and international travellers in the U.S. averaged $1.36 billion a day, $56.6 million an hour, $941,971 a minute, and $15,700 a second (TIA).

The Eco -tourism Market

Market Placement Eco-tourism is a nature and culture based form of speciality travel defined by The Eco-tourism Society (TES) as responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people. This definition has been widely acce3pted, but does not serve as a functional definition for gathering statistics in the United States. Only nine U.S. government tourism agencies provided written definitions of eco-tourism, and six were homegrown definitions (Edwards , 1998). A homegrown definition is one that the agency has written or adapted to meet their need or understanding of eco-tourism. No national initiative presently exists for the gathering of ecotourism data. Eco-tourism should be considered a niche within the larger nature tourism market. Nature tourism involves travel to unspoiled places to experience and enjoy nature (Honey, 1999). It usually involves moderate and safe forms of exercise such as hiking, biking, sailing and camping. Existing nature tourism and outdoor recreation statistics on the U.S. allow us to understand the potential market of eco-tourism domestically. These statistics are collected by various agencies within the United States. It should be noted that no one agency is solely responsible for collecting national statistics on any segment of nature or cultural tourism. The Size of the Market In 1998, a survey of 3,342 households designed by produce a representative sample of the 47 mainland states outside of Florida found that regardless of the destination of their vacation, respondents had an even chance (48.1%) of participating in nature-based activities during their trips (Bruskin Goldring, 1998). Thirty per cent of respondents planned trips that focussed on some or a majority of time on nature-based activities.
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Table 3: National Incidence Levels of Nature-Based Activities on the Last Vacation

(Nation-wide mainland survey by Bruskin Goldring for Visit Florida, August 1998)

Response Option (Heavy Users ) The trip was planned so that nature-based activities, like hiking, biking, animal watching, canoeing and going to parks, would account for the majority of the time on vacation (Moderate Users ) The trip was planned so that nature-based activities, would account for some of the time on vacation. (Spontaneous Users) Some nature-based activities, were enjoyed on the vacation, although they were not planned before the trip. Net Sub-Total of Users on Last Vacation (Not on Last Vacation) No nature-based activities were part of this vacation Dont know

National Incidence 14.5%

15.8% 17.8% 48.1% 47.7% 04.2%

The same survey found that visiting parks and hiking were the most common nature-based vacation activities.
Table 4: Type of Nature-Based Activities Vacationers Participated in During Last Nature -Based Vacation
(Nation-wide mainland survey by Bruskin Goldring for Visit Florida, August 1998) (List was read; other was an option)

Activity Visiting Parks* Hiking* Explored a Preserved Area* Wildlife Viewing (non-birds)* Nature Trails in Ecosystems* Unique Natural Places (sinkhole, dunes)* Environment Education* Bird Watching* Biking* Freshwater Fishing* Snorkelling or Scuba Diving* Explored a Major Protected Swamp, Marsh* Mountain or Rock Climbing* Canoeing or Kayaking* Ranching* Swimming Boating Beaches Visiting Ocean Camping Sightseeing Walking

Vacationed Anywhere Incidence 55.8 55.0 47.8 45.8 37.1 27.5 20.3 19.5 18.7 17.9 14.7 12.0 11.6 09.2 04.0 03.6 03.6 03.2 02.8 02.0 01.2 01.2

Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

* Appeared on List Read to Respondents No * means was volunteered by respondents after hearing prompt Anything else?

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Eco-tourist Profile Based on data collected by a survey completed by HLA and ARA consulting firms of North America travel consumers, TES has constructed the following eco-tourist market profile. Age: 35-54 years old, although age varied with activity and other factors such as cost. Gender: 50% female and 50% male, although clear differences by activity were found. Education: 82% were college graduates, a shift in interest in eco-tourism from those who have high levels of education to those with less education was also found, indicating an expansion into mainstream markets. Household Composition: No major differences were found between general tourists and experienced eco-tourists. **Party Composition: A majority (60%) of experienced eco-tourism respondents stated they prefer to travel as a couple, with only 15% stating they preferred to travel with their families, and 13% preferring to travel alone. Trip Duration: The largest group of experienced eco-tourists (50%) preferred trips lasting 8-14 days. Expenditure: Experienced eco-tourists were willing to spend more than general tourists, the largest group (26%) stating they were prepared to spend $1,001 - $1,500 per trip. Important Elements of Trip: Experienced eco-tourists top three responses were: Wilderness setting, Wildlife viewing Hiking/trekking

Motivations for Taking Next Trip: Experienced eco-tourists top two responses were: Enjoy scenery/nature, New experiences/places

**Experienced Eco-tourists: Tourists that had been on at least one eco-tourism oriented trip. Ecotourism was defined in this study as nature/adventure/culture oriented travel. Green Travel Products The Travel Industry Association of America (1997) states that 83% of U.S. travellers are inclined to support green travel companies and are willing to spend on average 6.2% more for travel services and products provided by environmentally responsible travel suppliers. Clients have appreciated the green policies developed by the Boston Plaza, in Boston Massachusetts. For example, an additional $2 million in new business and a higher occupancy rate was achieved (Rocky Mountain Institute, 1997) after the hotel implemented environmentally conscious initiatives, energy efficient lighting, water efficient showerheads, comprehensive re-cycling programme, installation of thermopane windows and a filtration system allowing the hotel to recycle 2/3 of its wash water and retain most of its heat. Recreation Activity The Recreation Roundtables Fifth Annual National Survey (1998) based on 2009 in -person interviews with Americans 18 and older reported that nearly six in ten Americans participate in outdoor recreation at least monthly. Their motivations for participation vary, but the top objectives are fun, relaxation, stress relief, experiencing nature and exercise. Mid-westerns remain th e most active in recreation with 60% taking part in outdoor recreation. North-easterners 59%, West 56%, and the South up 6% from 1997 at 51%.
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Wildlife-Watching The National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (1996) found 62.9 million U.S. residents representing, 31% of the U.S. population 16 years and older, enjoyed a variety of wildlife-watching activities. People who took a primary interest in wildlife around their homes numbered 60.8 million, while those who took trips away from their homes for the primary purpose of participation in wildlife-watching recreation numbered 23.7 million people. Wildlife-watching participants spent $9.4 billion on trips to pursue their activities. An example includes the expansion of bird watching tourism in South Nebraska associated with the migration of the Sandhill Crane. It currently brings up to 60 million dollars to the area every year during the spring (Walle, 1997). Adventure Travel According to Adventure Travel Society (ATS) adventure travel is a $200 billion business in the United States (including transportation, meals, lodging and equipment), representing half of the nations $400 billion tourism industry. In the U.S. there are 10,000 adventure travel companies and 147 million people have experienced some form of adventure travel (ATS). National Park Service Americans continue to visit national parks in abundance. Twenty-nine million U.S. adults (15% of all U.S. residents) took a trip of 100 miles or more, one-way, to visit a national park during 1997 (TIA), while 70% participated in outdoor activities. Among these outdoor activities, hiking (53%) was most popular. Residents from the Mountain region of the U.S. are most likely to visit a national part with 37% (TIA) saying they include a park visit while travelling. The Recreation Roundtable (RR) reported that one in three Americans (1998) visited a federal recreation site over the past twelve months. Visitors to federal recreation sites continue to believe that they receive good value for the fees they pay. In fact, Americans would have been willing to pay an average of $9.20 in additional fees for their most recent visit to a federal recreation site (RR, 1998). Cultural and Historical Travel A California tourism study, sampled 45,000 U.S . households per month in 1998 and found 480 million people took a trip involving cultural activities. In California, 44.3 million Americans travelled for cultural activities in 1998. Of these 44.3 million Americans, 37.8 were California residents. Visiting museums and/or historical sites is the third most popular activity for travellers in America (National Travel Survey and Travelscope, 1998).

2.8 LET US SUM UP

Information is the key to success for any organisation at both pre -production and post-production stages. When any organisation decides to launch any product/service, it needs information pertaining to customers demand, liking, affordability, loyalty, competitors products, their features, prices, market strategies, distribution systems, so on and so forth. Even when a product is launched after careful collection and synthesis of information, post-production information (feedback) is required to incorporate change(s) as desired by the consumer. Tourism is, however, not an exception from this established principle of Management Information System. Though lot of information sources are discussed in the Unit yet travel portals on internet deserve a special mention. Information related to destination, its accessibility, its people, its culture, its weather, operating intermediaries, etc. is available on the click of fingers at all times irrespective of distances and geographical boundaries. But here comes the question of reliability of information put on various websites provided by service providers. There are no laws yet under which a false information provider can be put to task. Hence, one needs a very cautious handling of these otherwise wonderful sources of information.

2.9 CLUES TO ANSWERS

Check Your Progress 1) Refer Sec. 2.2. 2) Refer Sec. 2.4.
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