Dimitrios is Chairing ENTER09

Dimitrios Buhalis will be the overall Chair of the ENTER2009@Amsterdam 28th -30th January. After several years I am coming back to support ENTER and work with a great team of colleagues and friends to develop leadership in eTourism.

Please see http://www.ifitt.org/enter for call for papers of the research track and the PhD workshop and all the structure

Organised by the International Federation for Information Technology and Travel & Tourism (IFITT), ENTER2009@Amsterdam is the 16th ENTER Conference bringing together international experts in all aspects of Information Communication Technologies in Travel and Tourism. In 2009, ENTER will move on to the city of Amsterdam, Netherlands, taking place in the well-known RAI Exhibition and Congress Centre. Amsterdam is centrally located in Europe, easily accessible for international participants, and from its canals to famous historical sights one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in Europe. ENTER offers a unique forum for academic, industry and government representatives to explore the future of ICTs in Tourism through research and dynamic dialogue within the social network of the IFITT community. The chairs of ENTER 2009 are working hard to develop the most comprehensive programme ever for ENTER. With more than 150 presentations over 3 days and more than 450 participants, ENTER is THE event in Tourism and Technology that brings researchers, industry and destinations together. The three tracks, namely Research, Destinations and Industry are designed in a way that enables maximum exchange of information and interaction. Presentations and debates will explore the state-of-the-art research and industry case studies on the application of information and communication technologies to travel and tourism. This year we will concentrate on ICT-enabled dynamic challenges for Travel and Tourism to cover both technology and business and there will also be plenty for local and national government agencies to consider. Issues to be discussed cover a wide range of cutting-edge challenges and the following gives a flavour of this:

Customer centricity
inspire consumers with ICTs
Recommender systems
Social networking & Travel
Web 2.0 and Travel 2.0
ICT-enabled segmentation
eTourism and disability
Accessible eTourism design
eLearning for Tourism
Direct vs indirect distribution
ICT-based Productivity
Reengineering tourism
eTourism and Pricing
Revenue Management
Web analytics
Online Security
ePayments
eBranding and brand integrity
Distribution strategies
ICT-enabled partnerships
Advanced distribution systems
Polling services
Travel Search and Metasearch
Interoperability & Interconnectivity
Web 3.0 and Travel 3.0
Destination web sites & Clusters
Advanced destination portals
Geographical Mash ups
Location Based Services
Wireless systems and WiMAX
Mobile solutions
Usability and web design
Multimedia convergence
Affiliate marketing online
Smart ICT investments
Online advertising

Joined Travolution as Research Editor

I have just joined Travolution www.travolution.co.uk and http://travolution.blogspot.com as their first research editor.

It is a great honour to work with Kevin and the Travolution team to bring eTourism research to a wider audience.Bringing eTourism research and practice closely together will enable industry to implement emerging tools and methodologies whilst researchers will benefit from getting involved in real industry problems and professional practice.

I look forward to interact dynamically with the wider community and to exchange knowledge on a global basis.

See the announcement on http://travolution.blogspot.com/2008/07/new-addition-to-travolution-team.html

Artificial vs Authentic? The Venetian in Macao

For along time I supporting that all things need to be authentic and be consumed in their place. However increasingly artificial experiences emerge and are designed to challenge the real thing. I recently visited the Venetian Hotel in Macao which is run by the same company as the one in Las Vegas. http://www.venetianmacao.com/en/home.aspx The place is incredible and it made me that i need to reassess the Artificial vs Authentic? divide.

I am passionate about Venice and I go at every opportunity. Having being several times I take a different attitude. I rent a flat or a house and enjoy being one of the locals. I avoid the tourism spots and i enjoy the tranquility that only Venice and the canals as well as my favourite places such as Gelateria Nico can offer.

However the fake experience was also good! and it was clean, integrated and managed, and for the first time ever the gondoliers can sing and there not talking to their girlfriends on the mobile phone! This is the first time I kind of liked the fake experience - almost as much as the authentic one. OK in reallity I cannot wait to return back to real Venice but you get my point!

Well done Venetian - really impressive

I am privileged to work with Rob Law, Haiyan Song, Bob McKercher at Hong Kong Polytechnic University

I am privileged to work with Rob Law, Haiyan Song, Bob McKercher at Hong Kong Polytechnic University to engage in some very intellectually challenging conversations and research designs. Great time around too and excellent Chinese food with great company. The city is incredibly vibrant and a very international culture where China meets the West and West meets China.

and Bob's comment!!!

According to McKercher (2008), the four scholars in the picture rank 2, 14, 18 and 24 in citations in the past 10 years, with a total citation count between 1998 and Nov 2007 of 2220.
Pretty elite company.
Dr. Bob McKercher

Great company excellent humour !

Enjoying Hong Kong and working with good friends at Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Enjoying Hong Kong and working with good friends at Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Performance measures of net-enabled hypercompetitive industries: The case of tourism

New publication just out in International Journal of Information Management

Performance measures of net-enabled hypercompetitive industries:

The case of tourism
Eleni Michopoulou, and Dimitrios Buhalis

International Journal of Information Management

Volume 28, Issue 3, June 2008, Pages 168-180

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2007.07.003

Abstract

This paper investigates the theory and practice of e-metrics. It examines the tourism sector as one of the most successful sectors on-line and identifies best practice in the industry. Qualitative research with top e-Marketing executives demonstrates the usage and satisfaction levels from current e-metrics deployment, selection of e-metrics for return on investment (ROI) calculation as well as intention of new e-metrics implementation and future trends and developments. This paper concludes that tourism organizations gradually realise the value of e-measurement and are willing to implement e-metrics to enable them evaluate the effectiveness of their planning processes and assess their results against their short- and long-term objectives.

Keywords: Web analytics; e-Metrics; ROI; Tourism; Performance measurement

Web 2.0 opportunities and challenges for tourism and hospitality

Back from Tenerife where I had the opportunity to discuss the opportunities and challenges of Web 2.0 for the tourism and hospitality industry. Many professionals are still trying to understand how to operate in this new environment. And although many say it is business as usual with customer service and complaint handling others realise the whole game of interaction with all stakeholders has changed dramatically and we need to create new business practices for managing the new realities.
Photo: Miguel Henales, Director of eBusiness of TUI Spain, Dimitrios Buhalis and Desiderio Gutiérrez Taño, Edei Consultores SA

In the meanwhile it is a reality that many people could not communicate or understand basic English - never mind about trying to communicate with their clientelle. Anyway the meeting was very interesting and it was also interesting to see that 90% of the hoteliers in the audience said that they follow their tripadvisor ratings. We concluded that more needs to be done and we really need to work with industry to develop processes to deal with Web 2.0 and Travel 2.0. I suggested that Web 2.0 is the great opportunity that innovative hotels have to communicate with their clients cost effectively.

I also had some quality time with Miguel Henales, Director of eBusiness of TUI Spain and we were discussing how tour operators are coming back to reintermediate the market. Great times and fantastic cervezas!


In the meanwhile I received an exemplary reply to a tripadvisor hotel review for a hotel I stayed recently. I stayed at the Jurys Inn Islington recently and reported that it was ok but nothing special and probably a bit overprised. A couple of days later the Deputy GM replied to me with an exemplary message. Not only he is doing damage limitation but also promotes a direct sales next time and a personal touch. Really excellent! Well done to Simon and his team.

====================================================

Dear Tripadvisor member

Thank you very much for taking the time to convey your comments on Tripadvisors We at Jurys Inn Islington strive to ensure that all our customers receive a friendly, efficient service in comfortable surroundings to ensure that every guest gets value for money. It is obvious from reading your feedback that during your stay this did not happen, and for that I am very sorry.As a gesture of goodwill to win back your confidence, I would like to offer you a favourable rate on your next visit to Jurys Inn Islington and I will personally ensure your stay is an enjoyable one. I do hope that we will have the opportunity to welcome you back into Jurys Inn Islington as I am confident you will notice a marked improvement. When you do wish to make this booking, which I sincerely hope you do, please contact myself directly on 02072825500 or by e-mail.

Once again, thank you very much for your feedback, your constructive comments have been very worthwhile.

Kind Regards

Simon Anglin

Deputy General Manager

simon_anglin@jurysinns.com

UNWTO Ulysses Award goes to Professor Pauline Sheldon

Back from Madrid and I am very pleased that the UNWTO Ulysses 2008 Award was awarded to Professor Pauline Sheldon

Here with Professors John Tribe, Pauline Sheldon and Jafar Jafari at the Award ceremony

Off to Madrid for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Ulysses2008 conference

I am off to Madrid for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Ulysses2008 conference and award ceremony.

I am very pleased that my good friend Professor Pauline J. Sheldon from the University of Hawaii (USA), has been awarded the 2008 UNWTO Ulysses Prize for Academic Excellence in the Creation and Dissemination of Knowledge in Tourism this year. Pauline has been in the forefront of tourism and technology and we have collaborated with the IFITT and ENTER framework.

I have n't been in Madrid for a few years and I am looking forward to spend some quality working time with colleagues at the WTO and also some great time in some of my favourite places.

enjoyed the EyeForTravel Travel Distribution Summit

I really enjoyed the enjoyed the EyeForTravel Travel Distribution Summit - although I was a bit restrained as I was chairing the Customer Relationship Management Track and could not move as freely as I had wished




EyeForTravel2008 with David Oliver, Head of Marketing Programmes, Hertz Europe, Peter Wray, Chairman and Founder, loyaltymatters.com, Rob McDonald, Director of Customer Loyalty - UK/Europe/Middle East/Africa, Hilton Hotels Corporation



EyeForTravel2008 with Jerome Touze, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, WAYN.com and Thorsten Purkus, Hyatt International Hotels & Resorts, Director of Hotel Development Planning & Research Europe, Africa & Middle-East





EyeForTravel2008 with my friends Hilary Murphy, ecole hoteliere de lausanne, Kate Varini and Roberto Daniele Oxford Brookes University

The CRM Conference http://events.eyefortravel.com/tds/crm-conference.asp had excellent presentations and many people worked around the 4 strategic strages of CRM , ie

• Customer Recognition
• Data Capture, Data Management and Maintenance
• Segmentation, Creation of Models, Analysis and Profiling
• One-to-One Personalized Interaction

whilst great case studies where offered from many companies. For more information and presentations please contract my friends at EyeForTravel http://events.eyefortravel.com/

It was also great to see my good friend John Kent at the Dragon's Dent http://www.eyefortravel.com/node/14256 being probably the most demanding Dragon and looking for some great investment opportunities.

Look forward to similar events in the future

meet me at the Travel Distribution Summit

Come along and meet me at the Travel Distribution Summit on the 20th and 21st May

http://events.eyefortravel.com/tds/conference-overview.asp

where I will be Chairing the Customer Relationships Management and Loyalty Strategies Conference.

Siena and Tuscany

Just back from my trip to Siena where i gave a presentation on Technology empowered revolution for tourism destinations at the National Conference on Image, Products and destinations, organised by the Province of Siena, Italy.

It is amazing how beautiful Italy and how old fashioned all the Italian hotels are. It was a great pleasure for me to advice some of the upmarket Bed and Breakfast establishments how to take advantage of the Internet and eTourism in order to market themselves to the world.

If you would like a copy of the presentation please email me.

Dimitrios is off to Siena in Italy to do a key note on the Tourism Destination Promotion conference

Dimitrios is off to Siena Italy to do a keynote on the Tourism Destination Promotion conference

He will talk about using new technologies for promoting tourism destinations and will demonstrate how destinations need to use the wider spectrum of technologies, including Web 2.0, Location Based Services, Accessibility information and all other information to inspire their prospective consumers.

I will also meet my good friends Valeria Minghetti and Mara Manente and their team from Venice and Magda Antonioli from Bocconi University in Milano and will enjoy Siena after more than 10 years that I have not visited.

http://www.bictoscanasud.it/immagine%20prodotto%20destinazione/brochure.pdf

Tourism Management Dynamics

I am very pleased that the Tourism Management Dynamics event at Bournemouth University was a major success. About the 100 people attended and there was a great discussion. It was great to meet nice friends again and to debate tourism marketing trends. My good friends Luiz Moutinho, Alex Paraskevas and Mike Morgan gave an academic prespective. Adrian Lawes, Jon Weaver and Graham Richards, Oskar Hinteregger, and Su Brown-Kenna gave a great range of examples from industry. All presentations are available from the Tourism Society and also from my skydrive

Photo:

Oscar Hinteregger, Director Austrian Tourism Board
Professor Luiz Moutinho, University of Glasgow
Professor Nigel Hemmington, Dean, Bournemouth University
Professor Dimitrios Buhalis, ICTHR, Bournemouth University

Some really flattering news - 2nd most frequently cited tourism scholar in the period 1998– 2007

Bob McKercher's paper : A citation analysis of tourism scholars. Tourism Management (2008), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2008.03.003

gave me some really flattering news. My publications were quoted by 1046 publications and I was the 17th most cited tourism scholar in the world and the 2nd most frequently cited tourism scholar in the period 1998– 2007 (only behind my "brother" Michael Hall).

Bob says " Fifty-eight (58) authors recorded at least 500 citations from their works over the entire study period (Table 1). The most cited scholars tend to be pioneers in the field who have a long and distinguished publishing career. Eight of the top 10 most and 11 of the top 20 authors began publishing in the 1970s, with only one, Dimitrios Buhalis, publishing his first paper after 1990. Overall, 42% of the 58 authors listed began their careers in the 1970s, 44% in the 1980s and just 14% in the 1990s."

that is really nice news - Thank you Bob.

Dimitrios Buhalis' Publications

Due to public demand I have uploaded some of my publications on eTourism, SMEs and tourism in Greece

You can find many of these publications on my
http://buhalid.spaces.live.com/ pages

Travel Distribution Summit Europe 2008 - CRM and Loyalty Strategies - Eye for Travel

Travel Distribution Summit Europe 2008 - CRM and Loyalty Strategies - Eye for Travel

I am working again with my good friends Simon and Tim from Eye for Travel for the Travel Distribution Summit 2008 that will take place in London 20th and 21st May.

I will be Chairing the CRM and Loyalty Strategies part of the Summit and will be debating major issues about the use of ICTs and advanced technologies in Tourism and Travel.

Come along and meet me if you can. http://events.eyefortravel.com/tds/conference-overview.asp

marinetraffic.com

I am a strong advocate of location based services and i think that the main revolution on the internet and eTourism will emerge based on geotagging of information and live reports for dynamic information.

One of the great examples of that is marinetraffic.com that demonstrates the positioning of all ships on the Greek Seas. The information is live and dynamic. This is really important for traffic information and can allow fleet tracking live. If you passenger vessels you can always know where the boat is plan accordingly.

This new application that came out from the University of the Aegean demonstrates the position of ships in the Greek seas. The Greek report is here: http://www.enet.gr/online/online_text/c=112,id=63510976

There are lots of benefits if people can track ferries online and plan their trip better. See http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/

TOURISM MARKETING DYNAMICS Wednesday 7th May 2008

TOURISM MARKETING DYNAMICS Wednesday 7th May 2008


TOURISM MARKETING DYNAMICSCreating and engaging with innovation

Wednesday 7th May 2008 13:30-18:30
Marconi Lecture Theatre
International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research
School of Services Management,
Bournemouth University

The Tourism Society in conjunction with Bournemouth University, and Tourism South West are proud to present this interesting seminar and discussion forum at Bournemouth University. The seminar will examine innovation in tourism marketing and will explore techniques and methodologies for the successful strategic and operational management of the future. It will also elaborate on how statistics can be turned into real knowledge and market power as well as explore the future trends in tourism marketing.

In addition the seminar will discuss Destination Marketing issues and engage participants in the discussion of how Destination Management Organisations can use innovation for marketing their regions. An examination of the marketing initiatives of both Visit Britain and the Austrian National Tourism Office will demonstrate innovative approaches to contemporary marketing. Finally the emergence of new technologies will be examined to demonstrate how destinations can take advantage of innovative tools to enhance their competitiveness.

The event will be facilitated by a number of presentations and will be based on interactive discussion with the audience.


PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME

TOURISM MARKETING DYNAMICS
Wednesday 7th May 2008

13:00-13:45 Welcome / Registration
14:00-14:10 © Nigel Hemmington (BU)
Welcome by the Dean to the School of Services Management and Bournemouth University

14:10-15:45 Tourism Marketing Innovations and Developments
CHAIR: John Fletcher (BU)

© Alan Fyall (BU): Innovative development in Tourism Marketing and future trends
© Alex Paraskevas (Oxford Brookes): Crisis management and tourism marketing
© Luiz Moutinho (University of Glasgow): future trends in consumer behaviour in tourism
© Adrian Lawes (ConsumerData): Turning statistics into knowledge and power
Discussion
15:45-16:00 Networking and Coffee

16:00-17:15 Destination Marketing: Looking into the future
CHAIR: © Keith Wilkes (BU)

© John Weaver/Mark Smith (Bournemouth Tourism Board) and Graham Richards (Poole Tourism Board): Promoting Sports Tourism
© Oskar Hinteregger (Austrian National Tourist Office): Innovations in destination marketing and advertising
© Su Brown-Kenna (New Mind): Innovations in Destination Management Systems
© Dimitrios Buhalis (BU): Marketing Destinations through Technology

17:15-17:30 Open Discussion and conclusions
Adele Ladkin (BU)
1730-1830 Light Buffet and networking
© indicates speaker confirmed


For organisation issues please contact:
Professor Dimitrios Buhalis,
International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research (ICTHR), School of Services Management
Bournemouth University, Poole, BH12 5BB, UK
Tel: +44 1202 961517 Fax: +44 1202 515707 Email: dbuhalis@bournemouth.ac.uk

TICKETS
Students/Retired: £12 Members: £25 Non-members: £45
VENUE
Marconi Lecture Theatre
International Centre for Tourism & Hospitality Research,
School of Services Management, Bournemouth University,
Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset , BH12 5BB , UK
http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/services-management/
http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/icthr

Buhalis discussing eTourism Trends

7th eTourism Futures Forum @ BU was a great success

After a very tiring week I am pleased to report that the eTourism Futures Forum was very successful.

You can see my introductory remarks on Introduction to eTourism http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pyPedGeMxFc
and eTourism Trends http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy2jiWydyyY

You can also see photos on facebook http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=45978&id=727527526&ref=mf


Mike Morgan (BU), Prof Roman Egger (Salzburg University of Applied Sciences), Andrew Daines (Visit Britain), Matt Bowkett (South West Tourism), Richard Veal (New Mind).















Prof Nick Petford (Pro Vice Chancellor), Dimitrios, Prof Alexis Papathanassis (Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences) and Prof Nigel Hemminghton (Dean) at the opening of the forum

Progress in information technology and tourism management: Twenty years on and 10 years after the internet - The state of eTourism research

Article title: Progress in information technology and tourism management: Twenty years on and 10 years after the internet - The state of eTourism research
Reference: JTMA1634
Journal title: Tourism Management
Corresponding author: Prof. Dimitrios Buhalis and Dr Rob Law
the final version of this article (including full bibliographic details) is now available online at:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2008.01.005

Abstract
This paper reviews the published articles on eTourism in the past 20 years. Using a wide variety of sources, mainly in the tourism literature, this paper comprehensively reviews and analyses prior studies in the context of Internet applications to tourism. The paper also projects future developments in eTourism and demonstrates critical changes that will influence the tourism industry structure. A major contribution of this paper is its overview of the research and development efforts that have been endeavoured in the field, and the challenges that tourism researchers are, and will be, facing.

Dr Aise Kim from the University of South Australia visited recently to discuss collaboration

Dr Aise Kim from the University of South Australia visited recently to discuss collaboration

Here with Prof Adele Ladkin

7th eTourism Futures Forum at Bournemouth University - 10th & 11th of April 2008

Some of the confirmed speakers and panelists on the eTourism Futures Forum at Bournemouth University - organised by Dimitrios Buhalis

© Andrew Frew: (IFITT/Queen Margaret University): eTourism: Research from the Edge
© Kevin May (Travolution): Trends and developments on online branding and marketing

© Steve Endacott (onholiday group): Travel Distribution model revolution
© Gareth Gaston (RamadaJarvis): Third Party distribution for hospitality
© Riyam Ghandour (Worldspan): The GDS challenge

© Roberto Daniele (Oxford Brookes): Emerging Business models for distriburion channels

© Soren Langelund (ito - International Tourism Organisation AG): Online Branding and Social Networking
© Guillaume Thevenot (hotel-blogs.com): Blogs in the tourism industry and the social networking trend

Book your place today!!!

7th eTourism Futures Forum will take place on the 10th & 11th of April 2008
http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/icthr/eTourismForum.pdf

7th eTourism Futures Forum Thursday 10th and Friday 11th April 2008 Bournemouth University

7th eTourism Futures Forum
Exploring the Information Communication Technologies Revolution
And Visioning the Future for the Tourism, Travel And Hospitality Industries

Thursday 10th and Friday 11th April 2008
Location: Room DG02, Talbot Campus
International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research (ICTHR)
School of Services Management, Bournemouth University,

Course Director: Professor Dimitrios Buhalis

eTourism - or the application of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the Internet on the tourism, travel and hospitality industries - has revolutionised market structures, practices, communication and distribution channels. It is now evident that eTourism is part of the mainstream industry management and marketing and the most essential part of distribution for the entire sector. Innovative ICT adopters continue to expand their market share by engaging directly with customers and aggressively using advanced Customer Relationship Management systems. They also manage their partner relationships dynamically through comprehensive multi-channel distribution strategies, affiliate marketing, XML interoperability and co-opetition. A small number of powerful eMediaries have emerged through mergers and acquisitions influencing a very large proportion of the online market. Social networking and Web 2.0 is emerging in the marketplace to enable interaction between innovative industry players and also to support consumers to communicate dynamically and share content, reviews, opinions and suggestions. Powerful networking communities such as Facebook and Linkedin as well as Tripadvisor and Wayn bring together communities from around the world to intereact dynamically. In addition, disruptive technologies, such as Voice over IP telephony and pervasive connectivity through WiFi and WiMAX support always-on connectivity and interaction. Tourism organisations and destinations therefore need to adapt to the emerging realities and to alter their business model in order to address these challenges, engage dynamically with partners and customers and enhance their competitiveness.

The 7th eTourism Forum identifies key developments and issues in eTourism and brings together leading professionals and academics with researchers and eTourism students in order to visualise the future of tourism, travel and hospitality organisations and to explore factors for innovation and success. The Forum adopts a strategic approach and examines the anticipated changes in technology and the opportunities and challenges for the tourism industry of the future. The latest advancements in the Internet and digital technologies (eFutures) will be explored and their strategic implications for the industry structure will also be discussed. Participants will be asked to debate on effective eBusiness strategies for each sector of the industry and for the industry as a whole. Innovative technology management methods and best industry practice will also be introduced, providing knowledge for participants to manage and market tourism products and destinations in the emerging electronic marketplace. The European Commission iSet project will also be presented through the wireless technologies Forum.
BOOK NOW
http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/icthr/eTourismForum.pdf

Progress in information technology and tourism management: 20 yearson and 10 years after the Internet—The state of eTourism research

My paper on Progress in information technology and tourism management: 20 yearson and 10 years after the Internet—The state of eTourism research is coming out in Tourism Management

You can access it on

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V9R-4S02T51-2&_user=1682380&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000011378&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=1682380&md5=196316bfaaef8e62256232f2e406f099

Dimitrios Buhalis Bournemouth University and Rob Law, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Progress in information technology and tourism management: 20 yearson and 10 years after the Internet—The state of eTourism research

Tourism Management

Abstract
This paper reviews the published articles on eTourism in the past 20 years. Using a wide variety of sources, mainly in the tourism literature, this paper comprehensively reviews and analyses prior studies in the context of Internet applications to tourism. The paper also projects future developments in eTourism and demonstrates critical changes that will influence the tourism industry structure. A major contribution of this paper is its overview of the research and development efforts that have been endeavoured in the field, and the challenges that tourism researchers are, and will be, facing.

Bournemouth University, International Centre for Tourism & Hospitality Research (ICTHR)

Bournemouth University, International Centre for Tourism & Hospitality Research (ICTHR)

See our new brochure http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/icthr/about_us.pdf

Welcome to the International Centre for Tourism & Hospitality Research (ICTHR). This brochure illustrates our research capabilities and demonstrates our enviable international reputation gained through the construction of high-quality, effective tourism development planning strategies and economic impact models. It also demonstrates our research on sustainability, marketing, eTourism, employment, hospitality and food service management.

Our research extends from the site level micro-studies up to national plans, from feasibility studies to major impact assessment analyses. ICTHR provides cutting edge solutions in a pragmatic business setting. We pride ourselves on our excellent working relationships with
our clients, where frequent and prompt communication is embedded in our approach to projects.
Work in ICTHR is primarily clustered around six themes:

• Tourism Development and Planning; Management,


• Marketing and eTourism;


• Employment, Human Resources,


• Education and Training; and Hospitality Management


• Sustainable Development Research Group and


• Foodservice & Applied Nutrition Research Group.
  

Our publications are of the highest quality and this is endorsed by the fact that the International Centre for Tourism & Hospitality Research is home to two leading international journals in tourism, as well as a leading tourism textbook, which is now into its third edition. Staff
in ICTHR are all highly respected tourism specialists with an international reputation for both their research work and publications, with hundreds of academic articles in print.
Our research is on the cutting edge of our subject areas and leads to publications in academic journals and books while informing our teaching. We welcome enquiries from potential collaborators and are happy to explore any potential research projects.

7th eTourism Futures Forum

I am finalising the programme of the 7th eTourism Futures Forum
Location:DG02, Talbot Campus International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research School of Services Management, Bournemouth University ,
**PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME AND INVITED SPEAKERS – denotes confirm contributor**
Course Director: Professor Dimitrios Buhalis

See programme and details on : http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/icthr/eTourismForum.pdf


Thursday 10th April 2008
Arrival, Registration and Introductions
Coffee break
Welcome and Introduction and Setting the eTourism scene
Chair: © Nigel Hemmington (BU)
© Dimitrios Buhalis (BU): Welcome & Introductions

© Nigel Hemmington (BU): Dean’s Welcome: SM, BU
© Dimitrios Buhalis (BU): Introduction: eTourism Futures: Strategic tourism management

Musical Chairs-Networking: Lunch
eTourism: Management Tools
Chair: Adele Ladkin (BU)

© Haiyan Song (Hong Kong PolyU): Web-based Tourism demand forecasting systems
© Alexis Papathanasis (Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences): Information System integration for Tourism

Coffee break
KEYNOTE AND SETTING RESEARCH AGENDA Chair: Roger Vaugan (BU)

© Andrew Frew: (IFITT/Queen Margaret University): eTourism: Research from the Edge

iSet FORUM: Wireless Technogies and applications
Chair: © Dimitrios Buhalis (BU)
© Vassilis Argyroulis (METIS): The iSet service and project
Ricardo Goncalves (Delloitte): The wireless services market for hospitality
© Luca Pistidda (BU): Wireless services and WiMAX for destinations

Informal outing to a local Pub in for dinner and networking. Not included in the seminar fee.



Friday 11th April 2008
Destinations ICT requirements and recent developments
Chair: © Alan Fyall (BU)
© Markus Gratzer (Tiscover): The future of Destination Management Systems
© Roman Egger (Salzburg University of applied Sciences): Restructuring the Destination Network Concept
© Richard Veal (New Mind): Innovations in Destination Management Systems
Coffee break
Overcoming the challenges of destinations ICT
Chair: © Dimitrios Buhalis (BU)

© Andrew Daines (VisitBritain): Destination Management Systems for the future
© Gilbert Archdale (Consultant): Challenges and failures in Destination Management Systems
Musical Chairs-Networking: Lunch
Mobile applications, Location Based Services and Mashups
Chair: © Nigel Hemmington (BU)

Robert Rogers (Nokia Gate 5 GmbH, Manager, Business Ecosystems): Emerging mobile capabilities and business opportunities
© Matt Jerwood (Wayn): Mobile applications in tourism
© Soren Langelund (Mobile Travel Technologies): Advancing Mobile applications for Tourism
Graham Cook (expedia): Travel Intermediation developments
Coffee break
eTourism Business Models and Intermediation
Chair: Keith Wilkes (BU)
© Steve Endacott (onholiday group): Travel Distribution model revolution
© Gareth Gaston (RamadaJarvis): Third Party distribution for hospitality
© Riyam Ghandour (Worldspan): The GDS challenge
© Roberto Daniele (Oxford Brookes): Emerging Business models for distriburion channels
eTourism: Online Branding and Social Networking
Chair: Mike Morgan (BU)
© Soren Langelund (ito - International Tourism Organisation AG): Online Branding and Social Networking
© Guillaume Thevenot (hotel-blogs.com): Blogs in the tourism industry and the social networking trend
Kevin May (Travolution): Trends and developments on online branding and marketing
Euan Mitchell (Marriott): Managing social networking for business

Imagining the eTourism future and Farewell
Chair: Dimitrios Buhalis (BU)
Open Discussion and Final panel
Dimitrios Buhalis (BU): Conclusions and farewell

Impact of calendar pricing on revenue and yield management

As more and more airlines and hotel companies move to calendar pricing, where each day is priced differently, I am wondering what is the impact on revenue and yield at the end. Gone are the days when hotels would display rack rates and negotiate special deals with distributors and intermediaries. Meta search engines have made the market ultra-transparent forcing suppliers to compete on price as well as on brand and value. I am wondering how we can quantify the benefit that calendar pricing is offering to suppliers and whether the revenue generated through the higher level of bookings surpass the loss that a hotel would make from charging less than the rack rate or corporate rates. Would like to see some discussion and evidence on that. Let me know if you have engaged in this debate before.

Dimitrios Buhalis was invited to address the XXI National Congress of Hospitality and Tourism in Vilamoura Portugal

Dimitrios Buhalis was invited to address the XXI National Congress of Hospitality and Tourism in Vilamoura Portugal on the 11th and 12th February 2008.

The congress was organised by the Portuguese Association of Hospitality - Associacao de Hotelaria de Portugal (AHP) and was sponsored by the Turismo de Portugal. The conference was opened by the Portuguese Minister of Economics and Innovation.

I was able to discuss the influence of eLiving on Hospitality and Tourism and to put forward dynamic strategies for hoteliers to manage their resources and properties in order to gain competitiveness. He suggested that they need to develop their electronic presence to take advantage of the emerging Web 2.0 and Travel 2.0 content and to package dynamic experiences. I also had the opportunity to demonstrate the research agenda and the expertise of the International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research of Bournemouth University and the iSet project.

In the photo Dimitrios Buhalis, Luis Manuel Patrao, President of Tourismo de Portugal (The Portuguese National Tourism Organisation) and Henrique Tomaz Veiga, President of Associacao de Hotelaria de Portugal (AHP) (The Portuguese Association of Hoteliers).

XXI Congresso Nacional de Hotelaria e Turismo
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