Bringing the gap between IS suppliers and tourism firms. This is the topic of the workshop on "Information Systems and Tourism" organised on the Saturday 26th of September 2009, during the 4th Mediterranean Conference on Information Systems. The International conference is organised and takes place at the Athens University of Economics and Business in Athens, Greece, 25-27 September 2009.

The aim of the workshop is to first identify and report on the latest advances related to IS applications in the tourism industry and then, bring together the IS suppliers and tourism firms /organization to discuss the factors facilitating and inhibiting the development and diffusion of IS applications within the tourism industry. To that end, the workshop will also feature a moderated debate amongst panel members representing both the IS supply and the tourism sectors as well as the tourism policy makers and influencers. Panelists would be asked to share their knowledge and experience about the following issues:
- the tangible and intangible business benefits of IS applications in tourism
- the factors inhibiting tourism firms and organizations to adopt IS applications
- the role of IS suppliers in boosting the take up of IS applications in the tourism industry
- the role of policy making and governments in supporting the take up of IS and enhancing the competitiveness of tourism destinations and of small and medium tourism enterprises

The workshop will be moderated by Dr Marianna Sigala (University of the Aegean, Greece) and the panel will consist of the following professional experts: 
- George Drakopoulos, SETE, (Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises) Greece Manos Matsakis, Hydra Travel.com, Greece
- Eyaggelos Kyriakoy, Visit Pella.gr, Greece
- George Anastasakos, Advisor to the Executive Director, Aldemar Hotels & Resorts, Greece
- William Drakos & Thomas Giotitsas, I.S. Impact, Greece
- George Baliouskas, Commercial Director, airtickets.gr, Greece.