Abstract | Few studies address the process of choosing a distribution channel from the point of view of the supplier of hotel services, so the need to provide more evidence is required. Therefore, the main objective of this work has been to make projections about the benefits it will bring each of the different distribution channels looking ten years ahead. First, it characterizes the structure underlying the process by which a hotel company chooses a distribution channel and four underlying factors are identified: coverage and positioning criteria, economic criteria, compatibility criteria and marketing criteria. Besides, it also evaluates the main hotel distribution channels: two traditional channels (tour operators and travel agents) against two online channels (online travel agency and hotel websites) in support of the conclusion that in the Internet age, although new online intermediaries offer great advantages for the hotel industry, classic tourism intermediaries still have a role to play in hotel distribution. The findings of this paper will yield theorical and managerial implications for the future. |
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