Focussing particularly on how the internet is used for online travel
E-business Academy
planning and booking, the NMR also includes data on trends in the
The E-Business Academy is an annual event organised by the
use of mobile internet devices and interactive TV and on pc access
New Media Group for NTO staff working in new media marketing
throughout the world. These data are drawn from over 60 sources
and systems. The 2004 academy was held in Madrid from 20th
and are given on a country-by-country basis.
to 22nd September at the invitation of Turespaña, the Spanish
NTO. The theme was New Channels for the Global Market.
The New Media Review is run by TEAM Associates on the NMG's
and ETC's behalf.
E-Business Academy, Madrid
Harmo-TEN
At the suggestion of the New Media Group, ETC became a partner
The academy has become one of the most important events in
in the EU's Harmo-TEN project which started in May 2004.
ETC's calendar, providing a unique opportunity for new media staff
at all levels in NTOs to meet their counterparts in other countries -
This project builds on the Harmonise project which developed new
and to share their business experiences and initiatives with them.
technologies to facilitate the exchange of information between different
22 NTOs sent nearly 60 representatives in 2004 - the biggest
websites. Consideration is being given, for example, to the use of
attendance ever.
Harmonise in searching the many different national databases for
events information from one central point in the new European portal.
The importance of the event and the quality of the audience are
also being recognised increasingly by commercial companies. In
Harmo-TEN is the market validation exercise for Harmonise and
2004, eight companies sponsored the academy and benefitted from
supports the development of a number of pilot projects to test the
the direct access it gave them to key NTO staff. All sponsors were
new technology.
offered one-to-one discussions with a representative of each NTO,
an exhibition stand outside the main meeting-room and the chance
The group
to address all delegates in one of the formal business sessions.
The NMG has done much to raise the profile of NTOs in
international tourism technology circles. And its chairman at the
2004's sponsors were: AdLINK (a premium sponsor), e|SENSE,
beginning of 2004, Inkeri Starry from the Finnish Tourist Board,
Lixto/EC3, Media Contacts, Microsoft, Siemens, Tiscover and Yahoo!
joined the Austrian company, EC3, to manage the consortium
Europe. ETC is grateful to all these companies for their support.
developing the European tourism portal.
In April, Andrew Duff (UK) was elected chairman of the group and
The NMG continued its support in 2004 for the ETC New Media
soon found himself immersed in the co-ordination of ETC's work
on the European portal - a huge task carried out with good humour
up-to-date information on internet usage throughout the world for
and patience, and the gratitude of all group members.
travel and tourism. It is intended to support the marketing activities
The group also extends its thanks to Luis Costa, Anton Nijboer
of Europe's tourism industry - and not just those of the NTOs.
and Ana Román for all their valuable work during the year.