THE IMPACT OF THE GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS ON THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF THE HOTEL PRODUCT

THE IMPACT OF THE GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS ON THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF THE HOTEL PRODUCT

IOANNA VASILEVA POPNIKOLOVA

Abstract

Tourism is considered to be one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the world. In an information economy, knowledge about and access to customers are critical success factors. However, these critical success factors can only be realised through information technology and competent, knowledgeable workers. In the hospitality industry, global distribution systems represent the quintessential example of the convergence of technology, communications, and content. The objective of a global distribution system is to distribute a company’s products (in this case, hotel room inventory) to as broad an audience as possible in the most effective and efficient means so that they can be purchased.

Key worlds

global distribution systems, information technology, tourism, hotel industry

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