Tourism Distribution System and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Development: Comparing Data of 2008 and 2012

Carmen Berné; María Gómez-Campillo; Víctor Orive

doi:10.4236/me.2015.62012

Home > Journals > Business & Economics > ME

Modern Economy > Vol.6 No.2, February 2015

Tourism Distribution System and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Development: Comparing Data of 2008 and 2012 ()

Carmen Berné¹, María Gómez-Campillo¹, Víctor Orive²

¹Marketing Department, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
²Marketing Tourism School, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.

DOI: 10.4236/me.2015.62012 PDF HTML XML 3,857 Downloads 4,821 Views Citations

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the development of the online channel have transformed the competitive environment of the tourism industry within a brief span of time. However, our knowledge about the details of the evolving trend of the distribution system is scarce. Considering the prior literature, this research analyzes the evolution of the sector’s structure, the power of tourism operators, the production processes and products of the tourism sector. The work uses primary information which is taken from surveys to experts in the sector, within a European context. The results of the work, based on a comparison between two samples in 2008 and in 2012, underscore the development of the distribution system and the significant changes happened in opinions regarding the relationship between the use of ICTs and value creation, regarding ICTs and product quality, and regarding how ICTs facilitate the adoption of the best practices in the industry. Multiple and exclusively online channel strategies are the most involved.

Keywords

ICT, Tourism Distribution System, Tourism Online Channel

Share and Cite:

Berné, C. , Gómez-Campillo, M. and Orive, V. (2015) Tourism Distribution System and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Development: Comparing Data of 2008 and 2012. Modern Economy, 6, 145-152. doi: 10.4236/me.2015.62012.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Pestek, A. and Muris, C. (2010) Application of E-Marketing Strategies in Tourism Sector in Bosnia Herzegovina. Proceedings of 5th International Conference an Enterprise Odyssey: From Crisis to Prosperity—Challenges for Government and Business, Opatija, 26-29 May 2010, Page.
[2]	World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) (2013) Annual Report. http://www2.unwto.org/
[3]	Frontur Encuesta de Gastos Turísticos (2012) Annual Report. http://www.iet.tourspain.es
[4]	Hjalager, A.-M. (2010) Progress in Tourism Management: A Review of Innovation Research in Tourism. Tourism Management, 31, 1-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2009.08.012
[5]	Berné, C., García-González, M., García-Uceda, M.E and Múgica, J.M. (2012) Modelización de los cambios en el sistema de distribución del sector turístico debidos a la incorporación de las tecnologías. Cuadernos de Economía y Dirección de la Empresa, 15, 117-129. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cede.2011.07.002
[6]	Emmer, R.M., Tauck, C., Wilkinson, S. and Moore, R.G. (1993) Marketing Hotels Using Global Distribution Systems. Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, 34, 80-89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/001088049303400614
[7]	Buhalis, D. (2003) Etourism: Information Technologies for Strategic Tourism Management. Financial Times/Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River.
[8]	Carroll, B. and Siguaw, J. (2003) The Evolution of Electronic Distribution: Effects on Hotels and Intermediaries. Cornell Hotel &Restaurant Administration Quarterly, 44, 38-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0010-8804(03)90257-6
[9]	Kracht, J. and Wang, Y.C. (2009) Examining the Tourism Distribution Channel: Evolution and Transformation. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 22, 736-757. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09596111011053837
[10]	Pearce, D. (1989) Tourist Development. Wiley, New York.
[11]	Fyall, A. and Garrod, B. (2004) Tourism Marketing: A Collaborative Approach. Channel View Publications, Cleveland.
[12]	Wang, Y.C. and Fesenmaier, D.R. (2007) Collaborative Destination Marketing: A Case Study of Elkhart Country, Indiana. Tourism Management, 28, 863-875. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2006.02.007
[13]	Buhalis, D. and Law, R. (2008) Progress in Information Technology and Tourism Management: Twenty Years on and 10 Years after the Internet: The State of Etourism Research. Tourism Management, 29, 609-623. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2008.01.005
[14]	Werthner, H. and Klein, S. (1999) Information Technology and Tourism: A Challenging Relationship. Springer-Verlag, Wien.
[15]	Buhalis, D. (1998) Strategic Use of Information Technologies in the Tourism Industry. Tourism Management, 19, 409-421. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5177(98)00038-7
[16]	World Travel Market of London (2011) Annual Report. http://www.wtmlondon.com
[17]	Berné, C., García-González, M.E. and Múgica, J.M. (2012) How ICT Shifts the Power Balance of Tourism Distribution Channels. Tourism Management, 33, 205-214. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2011.02.004
[18]	Leung, S.-O. (2011) A Comparison of Psychometric Properties and Normality in 4-, 5-, 6-, and 11-Point Likert Scales. Journal of Social Service Research, 37, 412-421. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2011.580697