Feel the Pulse of eTourism

Welcome to the division “eTourism” at the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences.

Tourism is considered to be one of the world’s largest economic activities and responsible for 9,8 per cent of the global GDP and 1 in 11 jobs on the planet (WTTC, 2014). In our postindustrial society, which is characterized by significant changes in matters of perception and institutional restrictions towards new developments, tourism can be seen as a result of ongoing social progression which becomes an integral part of modern life (Egger, 2006).

The internet is the fastest growing medium of all time and establishing a global communication and transactions infrastructure. More than three billion people currently use the Internet and, especially in populous regions such as in Asia, high growth rates in usage are being observed. Thus, merging tourism and the internet leads to a subject area marked by exceptional dynamism.

In the last four decades, information and communication technologies (ICT) have become an essential support for tourism. In the beginning, it was important for increasing efficiency in the processing of information. Nowadays, ICT is relevant on all operative, structural and strategic levels (Egger, Buhalis 2008).

eTourism is one of the focal points at our tourism degree programmes – for 15 years now! Within the last few years we have built up a great expertise in this field, recognized worldwide in the academic community and the tourism industry alike.