Volume 4, No. 4, April 2013 Journal of Global Research in Computer Science CASE STUDY Available Online at www.jgrcs.info © JGRCS 2010, All Rights Reserved 192 IMPLEMENTING ICT PRACTICES OF EFFECTIVE TOURISM MANAGEMENT: A CASE STUDY Muheet Ahmed Butt * , Majid Zaman ** * Scientist, Directorate of IT & SS, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K, India ** Scientist, PG Department of Computer Science, University of Kashmir, J&K, India ermuheet@gmail.com, zamanmajid@rediffmail.com Abstract: The Valley of Kashmir is geographically situated at such a place on the world map which puts several disadvantages for its development. Naturally we have to face several odds and impedances which can be overcome only once we think ahead of others in the region and accordingly develop strategies which give us distinctive advantages over others. Although we must keep in mind that Almighty has given us some other advantages which we need to capitalize and it is a fact that most of the developed nations in the world have same type of climate and recourses as we have. The main aim of the proposed research is anywhere booking for the tourist places. The proposed research also proposes an effective Service Oriented Architecture model for tourist tracking at various tourist places of the state. INTRODUCTION The proposed research paper identifies a number of key changes in Information Communication Technologies (ICT) that graduallyrevolutionize the tourism industry of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.A pen and paper system provides a ticketing process at various tourist places of the state. This process has become very hectic especially when the tourist keeps on increasing every year.As such the tourism industry may suffer from lot of mismanagement and unaccountability of the resources which are involved in the process. There is no transparency and accountability on account of income generated from the famous tourist resorts of the State.Tourist Tracking System is usually used inplaces where a large number of visitors come and go. Itbecomes difficult to keep a track of all the visitants byfew employees. The proposed model generates a Tourist Identification Card for the first-time visitors. This is stored in the centralized database to maintain records of allthe visitors/ tourists who visited the resorts. This model not only could be used in the State of Jammu and Kashmir but also can be implemented in the states where tourism industry is at its boom. This one time registration and monitoring system can provide a way for effective tourist management. MOTIVATION The natural beauty of the valley of Jammu & Kashmir, offers an unparalleled potential to prop up tourism with all attractions that no part of the globe can offer in one place. From sun-kissed mountains, lush green valleys, beautiful gardens, to blue lakes, the state of Jammu & Kashmir has it all. The economy of Kashmir depends majorly on tourism.Tourism, besides boosting the economy of Kashmir, can act as a major force for conservation of cultural heritage, intellectual advancement, emotional stability and moral development. All the people who come in contact with tourist and its related trades are benefited immediately, for example as soon as tourist steps out of his/her house the benefits started flowing in terms of his payments to Taxi, Hotel, travel agent, bus/air, shopping etc till he/she reaches back. The ecology and aesthetic beauty of Kashmir has undergone radical transformation during the last decades as a consequence of domestic and international tourists. tourism contributes to generate employment and to increase income. And more so, tourism is an important factor of diffusion of technical knowledge, stimulation of research and development, and accumulation of human capital. The ability to generate ripple effects by tourism makes it a performer of vital medium of foreign currency injection which has been drawing a significant attention for the economic development of developing countries. Developing economies are progressively relying on income streams from tourism while the traditional economic sectors have become less potential in contributing to GDP.In fact, direct, indirect, and induced multiplier effects are the causes that assist in expanding the contribution of tourism to an economy.With the free flow of visitors passing through the beautiful mind refreshing places like Nishat, Shalimar, Cheshmashahi etc., unauthorized access to these areas is possible. This unauthorized access can potentially lead to distressful and harmful situations. It is not possible or productive for staff members to escort or identify visitors at all times. The Tourist Tracking System produces a clear, visible, visitor pass that is easily identifiable by the staff at all times. There is clear transparency in view of the revenue generated and thus helps the Tourism Industry. PROBLEM STATEMENT With the free flow of visitors passing through the beautiful mind refreshing places we are having in the State of Jammu and Kashmir like Nishatbagh, Shalimarbagh,Cheshmashahi etc.,where tracking an unauthorized access to these areas becomes impossible with the increase in the tourists from inside and outside the State. This unauthorized access can potentially lead to distressful and harmful situations. It is not possible or productive for staff members to escort or and track visitors at all times. Every tourist has to separately book tickets for each tourist place separately so as to visit that place. Every time these ticketing counters are having huge queues and standing in these long queues becomes very hectic for old age people, women and children. This also generates lot of corruption and malpractices at such places. The proposed Tourist Tracking model tries to