Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism

Due to the great success of the First International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism which took place in January 1994 there was common agreement among the participants as well as among the Programme Commit­ tee to organize the second Conference, contrary to the original intention, as soon as 1995 instead of 1996. A two year break in an area of rapid technological development might otherwise result in a completely different landscape of telecommunication with hardly any connection to the first Conference. The recent development as well as the publicity with regard to the so-called informa­ tion highway has justified this decision far beyond our expectations. The Programme Committee has decided to choose Electronic Marketing as the central topic of this Conference. The international network is opening up entirely new information and booking chan­ nels. Printed information is not disappearing from the scene, but is acquiring competi­ tion in the form of electronic media. That means new dimensions in the presentation of the selection, new ideas as to informative contents, new, direct paths from suppliers to potential clients - making their choice at home in front of their screen and able to book immediately - and, finally, a new form of democracy. The small economic units which shape tourism thus acquire more interesting opportunities. Information that can be published fast and easily updated, effective alliance and networking make it possible for the small to participate with the great and to safeguard their own interests.