On the 29th and 30th March 2004, the School of Management at the University of Surrey hosts its 3rd eTourism Futures Forum. The event, organised by the Centre for eTourism Research (CeTR) within the School, is entitled `Exploring the Information Communication Technologies Revolution and Visioning the Future for the Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Industries.`

The Forum will examine the anticipated changes in technology and the opportunities and challenges for the tourism industry of the future. The emphasis will be on interaction and discussion rather than presentations. The latest advancements in the Internet and digital technologies (eFutures) will be debated and their strategic implications for the industry structure will also be discussed. The event seeks to reinforce the view that innovative and successful organisations in tourism, travel and hospitality will be using technology to maximise the value added to their products, to enhance profitability and improve their competitiveness.

Guest speakers will include representatives from national and multinational tourism, hospitality and technology companies as well as leading academics.

Forum organiser Dr Dimitrios Buhalis said Although eTourism is reaching maturity in several markets, there are plenty of opportunities for expansion in the marketplace. This year we will concentrate on mobile platforms for distributing tourism products and adding value whilst travelling.

The Forum aims to enable participants to identify the main drivers of change and to supply them with tools to enhance the future competitiveness of their organisations. Innovative management methods and skills will also be introduced. These will equip participants to manage and market tourism products and destinations in the emerging electronic marketplace.

The School of Management has a distinguished reputation in the field of eTourism having been the first in the world to offer an MSc programme in the subject and a number of research projects in the area.