How does the future of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥Â’s tourism industry look? The fate of this industry — one of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥Â’s largest — will be examined at the 1999 University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ at Boulder Tourism Conference.
The conference, "ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Tourism: Coming Together," will take place Oct. 27-29 at the ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Springs Wyndham Hotel, 5580 Tech Center Drive.
Events include an address by State Sen. Elsie Lacy, chair of the Joint Budget Committee, on "The Future of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Tourism Funding" at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28. The Governance Committee of the ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Tourism Board also will discuss future plans at the conference.
The InternetÂ’s affect on the tourism industry will be discussed. Speakers from Trip.com and Microsoft will focus on tourism-related technology. E-commerce lodging options also will be highlighted.
"The field of tourism has evolved dramatically with the opportunities available via the Internet," explained Professor Charles Goeldner, director of the ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥-Boulder Center for Sustainable Tourism. "Tourism is one of the most significant industries in this state; itÂ’s important that we understand and embrace the new opportunities afforded by technology."
Conference speakers from Trip.com, Microsoft and WorldRes will address technology as a tourism tool. Trip.com is the leading on-line travel services and technology provider for the mobile professional market. Microsoft is a $14.4 billion company and the world's leading software provider. WorldRes is a business services company that distributes hotel information and provides reservation bookings to leisure travelers via a Web site and call center partners.
In addition to the conferenceÂ’s technology focus, transportation, environmental issues and international marketing will be addressed. As one of the fastest growing states in the nation, transportation issues dominate discussions regarding ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥Â’s tourism. One session will address the possibility of initiating train service from Denver to Vail.
The increasing environmental concerns regarding tourism will be discussed. Representatives from Crested Butte Mountain and community development will present issue-related debates.
The conference costs $150 for all three days and is open to the public. For information call the ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥-Boulder Business Research Division at (303) 492-8227.