1 © 2006 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. Channels of Distribution

2© 2006 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. Channels of Distribution Supplier direct to consumer – no intermediaries Methods of Distribution

3© 2006 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. Channels of Distribution Involves one intermediary Professional counsellors at a low service fee cost Extension to the supplier’s sales force

4© 2006 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. Channels of Distribution Two or more intermediaries between supplier and consumer Tour Packages

5© 2006 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. Nonautomated Systems of Information  Strength? –Accurate, up-do-date information  Types of information –Primary printed references  Airlines, Ground transportation, Cruise lines, Hotels and Resorts, Tours  Telephone service and the reservation centre

6© 2006 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. Automated Information Systems – The Vendors  The Global Distribution System (GDS) –The Airline as Vendor  Either Domestic or Foreign

7© 2006 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. Automated Information Systems  With globalisation, there is a corresponding drive to merge services and clarify paths or access to the services. –Deregulation of the GDS (ongoing trend in the industry)  Examples –Teleticketing –Satellite ticket printers (STPs) –Electronic ticket delivery networks (ETDNs) –Automated ticketing machines (ATMs)

8© 2006 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. Contemporary Developments  The user driven point of sale is increasingly common –Ticketless travel  Electronic ticket –On-line reservation systems  The Internet  Tourism sales through internet channels

9© 2006 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. Other Uses of Automation  Not all electronic booking services are consumer driven. –Those used by industry employees are called  Back Office Systems –Hotel Reservation Systems –Car Rental Reservation Systems –Amtrak – ARROW Reservation Systems –VIA Rail

10© 2006 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. Career Opportunities  This aspect of the Travel and Tourism Industry requires fewer employees as it once did  However, there is still a constant need for people in the following capacities –Airline reservation agents –Hotel reservation agents –Car rental reservation agents –Tour operator reservation agents –Cruise line reservations agents –People with computer skills applicable totravel applications