The International Federation for Information Technology and Travel & Tourism (IFITT) proudly presents the IFITT Webinars. These seminars aim to bring together global experts to share knowledge, inspire innovation, and explore the evolving landscape of technology and tourism.
Join us for an insightful session that opens the door to a rapidly emerging tourism market that might have gone unnoticed. This presentation will provide a concise introduction to Bitcoin, followed by a discussion grounded in publicly available research data.
Discover fresh perspectives and potential research avenues: from early observations to entirely new greenfield opportunities waiting to be explored.
Whether you’re a researcher, industry professional, or simply curious, this IFITT Webinar promises to spark ideas beyond the obvious.
James Dewar and Irem Onder.
(More information about the speakers at the end of the page).
James Dewar is a qualified accountant who spent twenty years working in financial services. Most of this time James had one foot in finance and one in IT implementing, building and maintaining finance systems.
Moving away from corporate life in 2020 James completed a research masters degree in finance and accounting and is a founding partner of Bridge 2 Bitcoin, a director of Laser Eyes Cards Ltd, Chair of
Trustees of The Sustainable Society Trust and the founder and lead of a community education group.
James is a co-writer of an education curriculum to be published in 2025 which focuses on risk analysis – the threats to and opportunities for organisations of the rise of Bitcoin. The curriculum is intended to
help organisations begin to identify and address strategic and operational threats and opportunities that may emerge across a range of dimensions.
James’ engagement with IFITT began with developing a workshop with Irem Onder at the University of Massachusetts which they delivered at the Wroclaw conference in February, 2025.
Irem Onder is an Associate Professor and Ph.D. Coordinator in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She holds a master’s degree in information systems management from Ferris State University, Michigan, and a Ph.D. from Clemson University, South Carolina. After earning her Ph.D., she spent over a decade at MODUL University Vienna.
Irem’s research interests focus on information technology and tourism economics, particularly big data analysis, machine learning, and blockchain. She recently edited a book on blockchain in tourism and hospitality services, published by Taylor and Francis. She serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Travel Research, Annals of Tourism Research, Tourism Economics, and the Journal of Information Technology and Tourism.
