Electronic Tourism (E-tourism) - a theoretical approach

The purpose of this paper is related to the idea of providing the theoretical and empirical findings in the literature about the E-Tourism concept. The objective of the paper is resumed to the influence that new IT&C technologies developed during the last decade of the past century, starting the 1990`s influenced the tourism area, highlighting some of the references about the theme in literature. We have identified some specific concepts, like: Computer Reservation Systems, Global Distribution systems, Global Distribution systems, Property Management Systems or Social media that are in direct connection with the e-tourism, and which in current paper are defined and explained. The latest specific actions and development in last period show a rising and accelerating interaction between the tourism and technology, which as result, concluded to fundamental changes in this industry and on the entire global perception on the phenomenon. As it is shown below, there is a lot and consistent literature between the 1980`s to present time that is concentrated on the changes and the influences that new technologies deter in the tourism mechanism, on it`s both main sides: the supply and demand. In final part there is a brief presentation of the consumer of touristic products and services along with short statistics of the Romanian accommodations and internet usage.