In 2003, the Government continued to pursue diversification of the tourism industry through the Sports Tourism Taskforce.

Contributing factors for the successful integration of local tourism enterprises into international tourism markets are adequate e tourism strategies that focus on tourism innovation in terms of tourism products and adoption of e business tools such as destination management systems.

Previously, these services were available only for business to business operations, mainly tour operators and travel agencies.

These figures relate only to international travel in most countries the volume of domestic tourism is significantly greater than international arrivals.

Sustainable consumption in tourism integrates sustainability issues in the selection of destinations and service providers and in the tourists' behaviour during their stay at the destination.

By integrating these SMEs into their DMS, DMOs bring them into the new e business environment of the tourism industry and offer them the technological tools to conduct their operations online.

We train corporate travel agents for the travel industry.

Tourism niches such as ecotourism one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry are increasingly promoted by DMOs in many developing countries, allowing them to diversify their tourism offer.

Tourism

The setting up of joint public private sector arrangements, including tourist facilities and essential services to help promote tourism in the Territory.31

An important role in engaging tourism businesses is being played by tourism industry associations.

Encourages the business sector, in particular the tourism industry and Internet providers, to

Affirming the close relationship between the tourist sector and other service sectors, which affects the overall quality of tourism in Arab societies,

Eco tourism, cultural and natural heritage tourism, health and medical tourism and adventure tourism are some of the tourism niches that are increasingly marketed by destinations and tourism enterprises in developing countries.

On E Tourism

Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism

Tourism services

The adoption and usage of e business practices will facilitate the evolution of the traditional tourism systems and the integration of tourism enterprises into the digital economy.

Tourism is also a major source of employment, supporting 74 million jobs directly according to a World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) estimate, and 215 million (8.1 per cent of the world total) if all the indirect economic effects of the sector are taken into account.

With regard to B2B, DMSs provide tourism enterprises with the means to be better integrated into tourism supply chains by promoting personalized and enriched tourism experiences directly to a large number of consumers.

Tourism is a service industry composed of tangible elements, namely tourism products and services such as hotels, leisure enterprises and transport, and intangible elements such as rest, relaxation, culture, adventure and authentic experiences.

Tourism is regarded as another important sector, but the improvement of airline services must remain an important priority for the Territory if tourism is to be developed further.

, FACILITATION

However, the downturn in the sector is mainly attributable to a fall in the number of Japanese tourists, the mainstay of the industry.

Antarctic tour operators continued to support operations and programmes in the Antarctic by providing transport.

Major traditional tour operators have joined leading suppliers of e business solutions to the travel industry that often power a large number of websites.

International travel is only one aspect of tourism.

Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

Key impacts of tourism

Tourism and climate change

The distribution of tourism information and products over the Internet is the main area where technological innovation has had the most profound impact on tourism enterprises (producers and distributors).

Part B provides an overview of current and future ICT trends and their implications for the tourism industry, including destination management systems, as well as best practices to facilitate business to consumer (B2C) and business to business (B2B) e commerce.

The main beneficiaries of a DMS are potential travelers, the providers of tourism products and services, national travel agents and outbound travel agents, national tourism institutions, IT providers and investors.

However, new technology has allowed other non traditional providers of tourism services such as Microsoft, Google and Yahoo to enter the distribution market for tourism services and become providers of e tourism.

Promotion of historical and cultural tourism

Policy issues tourism and the environment

Tourism impacts and opportunities

DMSs can provide solutions for business to business (B2B) and business to consumer (B2C) e commerce.

For the last few years, online giant travel agencies such as the top three US online travel agencies (Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity) have ruled the online tourism business.

In order to further rise the level of customer service, in October 2004, the Tourist Board introduced the new hotel industry standards, which are designed to ensure high quality of service delivery.

These general provisions, and any associated guidelines, apply as much to tourism as to other economic sectors, and their application to tourism can be strengthened though development of additional tourism specific guidance.

Government policies can encourage tourism distribution channels to give preference to sustainable tourism products by providing training to destination management organizations and tourism boards, developing industry driven standards and supply chain management approaches, educating the public on certification schemes and promoting travel fairs that focus on sustainable products.

DMSs are the IT infrastructure used by DMOs for the collection, storage, management and distribution of information and for the transaction of reservations and other commercial activities.

The Declaration also drew attention to the crucial role of tourism in small island developing States and other tourism dependent developing economies.

Part A considers the role of ICTs for tourism development in developing countries and the strategic challenges for local tourism enterprises to successfully participate in international tourism markets.