The objectives of IFITT eTourism curriculum are:

• To gain insights into the tourism domain as one of the most important application fields of information and communication technologies (ICTS)
• To give an overview of different ICT applications along the tourism value chain
• To gain knowledge in typical usage scenarios of modern ICTs in the tourism domain

ICT and Tourism – Introduction.

The Tourism Industry is introduced by identifying the increased need for information in order to reduce uncertainty of consumer behavior, interactions between intermediaries, etc… With the implementation of ICT, the Tourism Industry and its stakeholders face major changes and challenges, however also gain significant advantages.

Tourism as Information Business
Major Changes and Challenges in the Tourism Industry induced by ICTs
Tourism Stakeholders and Interfaces

ICT usage in Tourism.
Overview and Case Studies: This section illustrates, how ICT is used from various tourism stakeholders on the supply side, and consumer applications on the demand side.

• Supply side: ICT Usage in the airline and hospitality industry, for destination management organizations, for management and marketing purposes, global distribution systems, etc.

ICTs in the Hospitality and Airline Industry
Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and CRS
ICTs in Tour Operators and Travel Agencies
ICTs for Tourism Destination Management
Management Information Systems in Tourism
ICT supported Consumer Relationship Management in the Tourism Industry
Knowledge Management (Business Intelligence-based Case Study)

• Demand side: ICT Usage by consumers on social media platforms, by mobile applications and recommender systems.

Social Media Marketing in Tourism
Social Media Marketing in Tourism (Case Studies)
Mobile Services in Tourism
Mobile Services in Tourism (Case Studies)
Recommendation and Planning Systems for Tourism Products and Services

eTourism Research, Technology and Application Trends.
This section presents current technology developments in ICT usage in Tourism. For instance, standardization initiatives, complexity and network science, or website optimization processes contributed significantly to the increased usage of ICT in Tourism. Furthermore, current research trends, such as dynamic packaging, online auctions, or business intelligence applications, etc. are covered in this section.

Standardization and Semantic Web in Tourism
Software Agents
Dynamic Packaging of Tourism Products and Services
Online Auction Markets in Tourism
Complexity, Network Science & Tourism (Slides)
Complexity, Network Science & Tourism (Document)
Business Intelligence and Smart Business Networks in the Tourism Industry
Website Optimisation

The IFITT eTourism curriculum will continuously be updated and the materials extended according to technological developments, as well as trainers’ requirements. Thus, all major stakeholders such as lecturers, students and personnel managers involved in eTourism education at all academic levels, are encouraged to provide us with feedback and comments on this first eTourism curriculum prototype version (via Email). Additional material can be added if provided and approved by the IFITT education panel. We are looking forward to receiving as many suggestions as possible in order to further improve this first e-Tourism curriculum prototype.