Optimizing user interface design and interaction paths for a destination management information system

Abstract

Destination Management Organizations (DMO) being the central units in destination management within European destinations face increasing pressure due to effects of globalization. At the same time, effects of digitalization combined with methods summarized by the umbrella term of Business Intelligence create opportunities to tackle these challenges. Höpken et al. (2011) described how destinations can evolve to so-called knowledge destinations. With the help of a Destination Management Information System (DMIS) managers of DMOs as well as its various stakeholders are provided with holistic decision support when working on strategic development of the destination. The objective of this study is to conceptualize a novel DMIS user interface and evaluate its usability. The study (1) defines different analysis perspectives and corresponding performance indicators enabling a powerful decision support for destination managers and tourism stakeholders, (2) defines interaction paths along different abstraction levels to support drill-down analyses, and (3) evaluates the usability and understandability of the DMIS interface in the south-western Swedish destination Halland.