Report: fast-changing packaged travel offers promises and problems

Friday, 13 Dec, 2007 0

The packaged-travel business continues to change dramatically as distribution migrates to the internet, according to a new report from Cornell’s Center for Hospitality Research.

The report outlines both the difficulties and the opportunities of internet packaged-travel sales.

The authors point out that tour packages are still assembled and sold in the traditional fashion.

“That said, the big growth potential lies in sales to individual customers and small groups, particularly those who use the web to assemble their own custom tour packages,“ said the report.

”We see both promise and problems for packaged-travel vendors,” said William Carroll, one of the authors. He added:

“The great promise of the internet is in evolving web 2.0 applications, where vendors can offer travel elements based on customers’ wishes, as expressed online in social networking activities. The problem is connectivity, because true dynamic packaging requires information systems that permit real-time inventory exchange between travel suppliers and packagers.”

Another of the authors, Robert Kwortnik added that vendors should seek to enhance customers’ value perceptions by offering integrated, high value packages.

“While integrated packages should help offset price transparency, we also note that any of the participants in this process can become competitors, by offering their own packages, even as they work together to create consumer value.,” he said.

To assist practitioners in assessing the value of travel packages, the authors offer a detailed framework and checklist that examines the value drivers in the processes of search and shopping, consumption, and evaluation of travel packages.

The report, “Travel Packaging: An Internet Frontier,” by William Carroll, Robert Kwortnik, and Norman Rose, is available at no charge from the center at http://www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/research/chr/pubs/reports/2007.html.

Report by David Wilkening

David

Blue Diamond Resorts consistently goes above and beyond guest expectations by delivering groundbreaking vacation experiences through our exceptional collection of...

Holiday Extras is the UK market leader in airport parking, airport hotels, worldwide airport lounges, destination car hire, airport transfers...

We understand the importance of personal touch We do things a bit differently at Eventsquid. We know that we could...

Atout France guides and supports the French regions with their development strategy and helps set up investment projects in order...

Nium was founded on the mission to build the global payments infrastructure of tomorrow, today. With the onset of the on-demand...

Here at Elegant Resorts, luxury travel is in our DNA. True pioneers in the industry, we were the first specialist...

ECOMMPAY is an international payment service provider and direct bank card acquirer, engineering bespoke payment solutions for clients worldwide. Our...

Greater Fort Lauderdale’s assortment of adventures awaits you. Whether you want to relax on the beach as the sound of...

City Cruises is a leading operator of sightseeing, dining and charter services operating in London, York and Poole. We offer...

Global Hotel Alliance brings together a unique collection of independent hospitality brands for GHA DISCOVERY, a multi-brand loyalty programme. GHA...

It’s easy to find perfection in Santa Barbara, but what if there was even more of your favorite finds, activities,...

This is Jersey. An island shaped by the sea where some of the most astonishing tides in the world circle...

From the beginning, ATI’s philosophy has been “innovation, not duplication.“ Developing specialized technology solutions to connect over 30,000 accommodation, attracti...

Celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2022, Regent Seven Seas Cruises® offers guests An Unrivaled Experience® with every luxury included. Carrying...