首页|Why Have Package Tour Itineraries Been Homogeneous? Insights From Industry Subgroup Relations

Why Have Package Tour Itineraries Been Homogeneous? Insights From Industry Subgroup Relations

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In addressing one of the least-researched areas in tourism—the formation of product strategies—this study focuses on the homogeneous package tour phenomenon. It draws on Industrial Organization theory to explore the impact of relationships between industry subgroups on the development of such products. With a specific focus on Chinese package tours to the UK, tour itineraries were firstly mapped to provide a visualization of relative homogeneity. Then, by examining the resource traits of participating firms, two subgroups in the industry were distinguished: tour operators (including wholesalers and retailers) and travel agencies (including Online Travel Agencies). It was found that the determination of product homogeneity involves a combination of the dependent relationship between tour operators; a more independent relationship between travel agencies; and the nature of the interdependence between the two. Strong bargaining power on the part of suppliers and weaker customer power further strengthened product homogeneity.

industrial organizationsfive forcesoligopolytour operatorstravel agencies

Mingjie Ji、Christine Y.H. Zeng、Brian King、Jonathan Reynolds

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Senior Lecturer in Finance and Revenue Management, The Oxford School of Hospitality Management, Oxford Brookes University

School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences, Texas A&M University

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

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2023

Journal of travel research: The International Association of Travel Research and Marketing Professionals
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