This study centres on the use of information technology and the internet for the management, marketing and distribution of complex tourism products at a destination level. It explores the use of destination websites and investigates what elements of destination websites determine their success in the eyes of tourists. It is intended that the study, based on the application of the newly established evaluation framework, can help destination managers to increase their website's effectiveness compared to that of their competitors, thus aiding destination competitiveness and ultimately helping the tourists.