Determinants of Internet Usage in Ghanaian Hotels: The Case of the Greater Accra Region (GAR)

ABSTRACT The Internet has emerged as a very important technology among businesses. Studies indicate that regardless of the technological revolution experienced in the tourism industry, hospitality organizations have traditionally been reluctant to utilize Information Communication Technology (ICT). They are impeded by many factors in their attempt to employ the Internet. This study, therefore, sought to explore and explain the factors determining the adoption and use of the Internet, and discuss the challenges inherent in its utilization in Ghanaian hotels. The study found that, although the hotels' environmental context, managerial characteristics, and perceived attributes of the Internet all have somewhat influence on their adoption and use of the Internet; organizational characteristics were better determinants of the hotels' tendency to employ the Internet for business purposes. These hotels were impeded in their attempt to utilize the World Wide Web (www) by a number of challenges with costs and inadequate knowledge as critical factors. Additional research is necessary to reassess the results and widen the scope of this study.