Tuesday, 9 March 2004

15:45 –17:00

This session will provide an opportunity for participants to learn more about the economic impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) on the tourism industry in the space of a few short years, and related consequences on development perspectives. Concrete examples from countries that have recently adopted national e-tourism strategies, namely Thailand and Portugal, will be showcased. Both countries have developed web-based solutions to market their own tourism offers and high-level representatives form these countries will share the lessons learnt, best public and private practices, as well as the opportunities and challenges for key stakeholders they encountered in that process.  It is expected that the session will stimulate a wide-ranging exchange of views between experts and practitioners who have experienced and studied the impact of ICT in the tourism industry.

ICT for Tourism: The E-Tourism Initiative: UNCTAD's contribution towards the autonomy of destinations 
Mr. Jean-François Baylocq, UNCTAD

This presentation will focus on the role of ICTs as powerful tools that can assist developing countries to by-pass traditional barriers, and allow them to take charge of their own tourism promotion. In this context, the UNCTAD's E-Tourism Initiative will be presented. This initiative aims at enhancing developing countries' capacity to promote directly their tourism offer, thus increasing their visibility, and to reach a new category of Internet clients in demand for customized travel based on a "do-it yourself" approach.

ICT for development in Thaïland: A case study in the tourism industry
Mr. Pradech Phayakvichien Advisor, Tourism Authority of Thailand

This presentation will highlight the impact of the Internet on tourism industry and SMEs in Thailand and the Greater Mekong Sub-region. It will discuss the lesson learnt from the implementation of a national e-tourism strategy by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, as part of a global ICT-for-development strategy put in place by the Government of Thailand a few years ago.

Some ideas for action: The European Network of Village Tourism
Mr. Andrade Santos, Presidente Regão e Turismo de Évora

This presentation will focus on ways and means to increase sustainable economic development in marginalized rural areas through the introduction of tourism activity in traditional villages. Through the dynamic use of ICT, this project is part of the European Network of Village Tourism that includes partnering regions in  Portugal, Italy, Romania and Poland.

General discussion