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New business models in online hotel distribution: emerging private sales versus leading IDS

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Abstract

This article deals with online hotel distribution. Its purpose is to investigate the private sales formula, which has recently emerged as a new business model. Two case studies are presented: Expedia, a leading internet distribution system (IDS), and Voyage Privé, a private sales Website. The study highlights the main features of the private sales formula by means of a cross-case comparison between the two travel Websites. The article ends with some final remarks on the main strengths and weaknesses of the formula as compared to the leading IDS in the online travel market.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Legal and Business Disciplines, University of Perugia, Via Pascoli 20, 06123, Perugia, Italy

    Andrea Runfola

  2. Department of Business Science, University of Florence, Via delle Pandette 9, 50127, Florence, Italy

    Simone Guercini

  3. Faculty of Economics, University of Florence, Via delle Pandette 32, 50127, Florence, Italy

    Massimo Rosati

Authors
  1. Andrea Runfola
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  2. Massimo Rosati
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  3. Simone Guercini
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Correspondence to Andrea Runfola.

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Runfola, A., Rosati, M. & Guercini, S. New business models in online hotel distribution: emerging private sales versus leading IDS. Serv Bus 7, 183–205 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11628-012-0150-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11628-012-0150-1

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