Impacts Caused by the Web in Tourism Marketing

Abstract

As foreseen by Cooper, Fletcher, Wanhill and Shepherd (2002), Internet has continuously increased the importance of marketing for public and private tourism organizations, especially on what concerns to attracting and retaining customers. Web-based resources have been integrated into marketing strategies within all sectors of economy, including tourism. As Bouzon and Bermejo-Berros (2015) point out, the new information and communication technologies allow all actors to actively participate in innovation, and thus, meet the increasingly specific demands of modern clients. In this context, as evidenced by the studies published in this special issue, tourism marketing has gained a digital dimension. This present issue also integrates relevant contributions on tourism consumers’ purchasing decision process and motivations, as well as on special interest tourism resources, such as wine. As pointed out by Pinho (2001), although wine is not essential for human life, it has played a special role in the great Mediterranean civilizations’ cuisine. Therefore, it is not surprising that it increases visibility and positively affects the image of producing regions, playing an essential role to local tourism.

This special issue of the International Journal of Marketing, Communication and New Media (IJMCNM)publishes seven relevant contributions for both academics and practitioners who are working with tourism products and services.