Electronic Markets for Date Fruit and Tourism of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

In recent years, the evolution of the Internet and technology has been remarkable by any stretch of the imagination. Despite this progress, there are still some industries in certain countries that are lagging behind and in clear need of modernization. Two industries in particular that could benefit from the e-marketplace in Saudi Arabia are the well-established, burgeoning date market and the Kingdom’s nascent tourism-related services. The date trade currently operates in a traditional market style, which places a geographical limit on the trade and excludes small sellers. Moreover, recent changes in Saudi Arabia's political climate in the shape of ambitious initiatives such as Vision 2030 have opened the door for increased tourism in Saudi Arabia. In order to explore these issues and present a workable solution, this dissertation has been divided into three parts. The first part implements a mathematical model of the electronic date fruit market in Saudi Arabia to examine the feasibility of an e- marketplace. The second relies on a mathematical model of the electronic date fruit market by using sellers' consortia as a means of amalgamating small-scale sellers involved in the Saudi date sector. The third part implements a mathematical model of the electronic tourism market by matching service providers' service consortia with tourists' demands in terms of tourist activities desired in Saudi Arabia. The viability of all three parts are demonstrated by a series of simulations to highlight the key results. Based on the simulations used in the research, the results achieved for part one shows a feasibility of date electronic auction market in Saudi Arabia. The second part demonstrates an increased efficiency in the date market in terms of both its scope and efficiency compared to the first simulation results, particularly as it related to the buying and selling process and the use of seller’s consortia. In the third part, a newly proposed electronic tourism service auction market mechanism demonstrates a feasible market structure that shows how the tourism sector can benefit from the introduction of an e- marketplace by matching service providers and tourists’ demands in a more cost-effective manner.