A Web-based tour guide information system for selection of bird habitat location in Avi-tourism

Abstract

The project report outlines the procedures for identifying data related to bird species, creation of a database using the collected data and disseminating this data on-line using web based technologies. The developed prototype was implemented based on a three tier architecture using client/server paradigm, MySQL Server for database management and the Java 2 Platform environment for accessing Java Web Server and Java Servlets. The Java environment also supported the use of TimeMap TMJava, a Geographical Information System (GIS) tool to remotely access map navigation of bird sites interactively . This combination of technologies made it possible to develop a web based tour guide information system with an integrated component of GIS for selection of bird habitat location in avi-tourism. Although the study focused on the bird watching domain in Uganda and how it can be promoted on-line world wide to avi-tourists, study findings indicate that the prototype can be applied to wild/game viewing in Uganda and elsewhere. Furthermore, conservationists who are concerned with the sustainability of available resources can also use it to provide a knowledge base of species available in a given location. The commercial sector such as hotels, tour service operators, airlines etc would also find it very useful to support their marketing campaign for their services. The ability of organisations or individuals to use information technology (like a web based application) and adapting it to improve their operations is making them more competitive in their domains, thereby enhancing their sustainability and survival. The use of information technology makes it possible to create a knowledge base of information. Knowledge is power and sharing it with others empowers them to achieve their objectives sooner than later. This report is about sharing knowledge freely to satisfy as many individual needs of various groups as possible.