"We must translate the vision of a truly global information society into reality"

Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations at the second meeting of the Steering Committee of the Global Alliance for IT and Development on 27 September 2006

E-Tourism - a key emerging issue

Tourism is the world's largest export service and an important revenue generator for many developing countries. In this key sector, ICTs and the Internet have substantially changed the playing field, bringing along new opportunities and challenges.

The first UNCTAD conference on E-Tourism in Asia-Pacific (13 and 14 March 2007) aims at combining these two driving forces: "tourism as the no 1 sector worldwide" and "ICT as a tool for innovation".

Tourism expansion - remaining competitive

Despite a number of difficulties encountered, such as the 2004 Tsunami, Asia-Pacific shows the strongest tourism growth worldwide. However the opportunities are largely underutilized. This conference will give a significant input to the development of ICT in tourism in Asia-Pacific, as a tool for growth and empowerment with 48 countries invited to participate.

Tourism stakeholders - creating synergies

All participants will receive an essential overview of ICT related themes in tourism. It will be a great opportunity to create contacts and partnerships within the local, national and sub-regional sectors. Both private and public sectors will be represented in the conference as prominent guest speakers, sponsors and participants. The conference will be the ideal forum for exchanging views, sharing experiences and creating solid networks between private and public sectors.

Conference Agenda - an interactive model

The format for the two-day conference is interactive:

Day One: On 13 March, workshops led by specialized facilitators will allow the participants to share their experience and ideas on a range of e-tourism related topics including knowledge management & sharing, innovation and the importance of adopting new e-business models and case studies on ICT & tourism.
Day Two: The high-level segment on 14 March will present prominent tourism stakeholders' inputs on 4 crucial topics: E-Tourism and ICT; ICT for sustainable tourism; ICT for tourism SMEs: a partnership-building approach and E-marketing for tourism: new business models.

High-level tourism representatives

UNCTAD will be joined by other relevant international organizations, governments, civil society and business community high-level representatives. Anticipated conference participants include international institutions, Ministries of Tourism, national & local Tourism Boards, tour-operators, hotels, transport companies, telecommunication companies, universities, hotel schools, non-governmental organizations, small and large business entrepreneurs delivering services & products to hotels and tourists directly and other tourism players.


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