Defining Internet Readiness for the Tourism Industry: Concepts and Case Study

A measurement model of Internet Readiness that incorporates the concepts of stages of effective technology use and organizational capacity to change is proposed and a case study conducted among American convention and visitors bureaus serves as a first empirical test.

Abstract

Integrating emerging technologies into the organizational fabric is a prerequisite for capturing the full benefits of the new tourism e-economy. However, most tourism organizations are still struggling with the adoption of Internet technologies and are far from reaching a stage of highly effective technology use. This paper proposes a measurement model of Internet Readiness that incorporates the concepts of stages of effective technology use and organizational capacity to change. A case study conducted among American convention and visitors bureaus serves as a first empirical test of the model and provides management implications as well as directions for future research.