E-tourism: what exactly is it?
In a world where technology moves at breakneck speed, a new way of travelling has emerged: e-tourism.
E-tourism: but what does it actually mean? Here we look at this new behaviour through the eyes of users and of industry professionals.
For users
E-tourism covers every activity linked to tourism online.
From our point of view as users, e-tourism means:
- Looking up informationabout a destination (weather, currency, language and so on)
- Booking astay online(on any booking site)
- Comparing the pricesof several airlines
The conversations people have online about their various trips also count as e-tourism (reading blogs, leaving comments or chatting live on platforms).
Tourists who do this sort of thing have even earned a new nickname: touristonauts.
E-tourism for industry professionals
From the point of view of professionals, here is what can be counted as e-tourism:
- Anytravel agencywith an online presence (Lastminute,Havas Voyages...)
- Price comparisonplatforms
- Airlinesselling tickets online
- Hostswho offer online booking
It is a fast-growing sector, even right now, with the rise of local tourism. What do you make of this new type of behaviour? To our mind, it is hardly surprising from a technological standpoint. We can find any piece of information in a few clicks.
E-tourism involves both travellers and professionals engaging in online activities. Here's what each does:
| Actor | Online activities |
|---|---|
| Travellers (touristonautes) | Destination research, booking accommodation, comparing flight prices, sharing on blogs and forums |
| Online travel agencies | Booking packages and travel services |
| Airlines | Selling flight tickets online |
| Price comparison platforms | Publishing offers to enable price comparison |
| Hosts offering online booking | Making properties available for online reservation |
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is e-tourism? It covers every tourism-related activity that happens online. This ranges from researching a destination to booking a trip online, including comparing prices between airlines.
Who are the “touristonauts”? It is the nickname given to travellers who use the internet to plan, book or share their trips. They exchange on blogs, leave comments or chat live on dedicated platforms.
Does e-tourism only concern travellers? No. It also concerns professionals: online travel agencies, price comparison platforms, airlines selling tickets on the internet, and hosts offering online booking. Every business that moves its offer online is part of it.
Is comparing flight prices considered e-tourism? Yes, it is even one of the most common examples. As soon as an internet user compares airline offers online, they are acting as a touristonaut and fully taking part in e-tourism.
Is a host who offers online booking doing e-tourism? Yes, hosts are explicitly named among the professionals concerned. Offering online booking of a property places the host on the supply side of e-tourism, alongside travel agencies and airlines.
Is e-tourism really a growing sector today? The article describes it as a very promising sector, including alongside the rise of local tourism. It is not new from a technological standpoint, but a use that has spread to every stage of a trip.
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