Key Issues in Implementing Destination Management Systems

Destination management systems have been referred in recent years as the ICT infrastructure of a destination management organization (World Tourism Organization, 2001). It is not yet clear on literature what are the success factors underlying the implementation of these systems and if traditionally the destination management systems have failed to achieve the initially expected benefits (Buhalis & Spada, 2000) today some successful cases can be identified (Buhalis & Egger, 2008). This study aims to present the conceptual framework of an investigation intended to define the main factors behind the success of these systems. The research model is based on the assumption that these success factors fit in three spheres of action: the dynamics of the system implementation within a destination management organization, the very specific features of those destination management systems and the organizational environment in the destination.