This paper examines the growth and structure of the UK tour-operating industry
using competitive analysis models as developed by Porter and more latterly
Thurlby. It argues that after a period of aggressive consolidation through
acquisitions and mergers, a situation has arisen whereby the major tour
operators maintain power over buyers and suppliers and have concurrently formed
barriers to entry for new entrants. However, with the emergence of new forces,
the major players face fresh challenges from virtual and niche entrants who are
gaining a competitive position with the tour-operating environment.
Porter, M.
(1980) ‘Competitive Strategy: Techniques for
Analysing Industries and Competitors’,
The Free Press, New York
.
2.
Walters, J.
(1999)
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, The Observer, 19th September.
3.
Bullock, G.
(1998)
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, Management Accounting, Vol. 76, No. 4.
4.
Walters, ref. 2 above.
5.
Bullock, ref. 3 above.
6.
Bridgeford, D.
and
Prosman, S.
(1998)
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, European Venture Capital Journal, April/May.
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Tourism’,
International Thomson Business Press
.
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(1999)
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Killgren, L.
(1999)
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, Marketing Week, Vol. 22, No. 14.
10.
Walters, ref. 2 above.
11.
MMC Report
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Sector’,
Monopolies and Mergers Commission
, December.
12.
Bridgeford and Prosman, ref. 6 above.
13.
Porter, ref. 1 above.
14.
Porter, M.
(1979)
‘How competitive forces shape strategy’
, Harvard Business Review, Vol. 57, No. 2.
15.
Poon, A.
(1993) ‘Tourism, Technology and Competitive
Strategies’,
CAB International
.
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Cooper, C.
,
Fletcher, J.
,
Gilbert, D.
and
Wanhill, S.
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Longman
.
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Lynch, R.
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.
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Thurlby, B.
(1989)
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, Management Decision, Vol. 36, No. 1.
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Bray, R.
(1999)
‘Takeover fever’
, The Guardian, 7th August, p.
8
.
20.
The Times (1999) Special Report, 21st July.
21.
Harper, K.
(1999)
‘First Choice boards Sun-sail for £40’
, The Guardian, 18th September, p.
25
.
22.
Bray, ref. 19 above.
23.
Thurlby, ref. 18 above.
24.
Poon, ref. 15 above.
25.
Hawkins, D.
,
Leventhal, M.
and
Oden, W.
(1996)
‘The virtual tourism environment: Utilisation of information
technology to enhance strategic travel marketing’
, Progress in Tourism and Hospitality Research, Vol.
2, No. 3-4, pp.
223-238
.
26.
Reinders, J.
and
Baker, M.
(1998)
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The influence of information technology’
, Progress in Tourism and Hospitality Research, Vol.
4, No. 1, pp.
1-15
.
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Barret, F.
(1999)
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(2000)
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29.
Eco, U.
(1986) ‘Travels in Hyper-Reality’,
Picador
.
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Walters, ref. 2 above.
31.
Keynote
(1998) Travel Agents and Tour Operators, Key Note Market
Research, February.
