Electronic distribution of holiday and business hotels

There are a number of typical differences between holiday and business hotels with respect to price level, seasonally, size etc., having implications for which electronic information and sales channels are most economically feasible to utilise. For a number of reasons the basis of revenue for holiday hotels is limited, and therefore also costs — including spending on telematics — must be kept at a moderate level. Hotels may be distributed as single products or as part of packages through a number of links in a chain, which may be conventional or electronic. Five strategic issues for hoteliers pertaining to electronic distribution of hotels are discussed. The Internet is a relatively cheap medium with great reach, which may be regarded as coming to the rescue of many small holiday hotels as far as electronic distribution is concerned. It is discussed to what extent this is really the case.