In order to understand the impact of internet on tourism in full depth a little bit of history about the pre-internet industry systems, the implementation of the changes bought about by internet and the present impact of the development of internet since, need to be understood thoroughly. the traditional distribution system needs to be discussed.The traditional pattern of distribution was dependent on the GDS and the CRS, by 1960 the initialization of the Data Processing System was completed known as SABRE then followed the Amadeus and Galileo till 1980, the first set of reservation system introduced with one prime objective, of making the airline reach to a level of excellence. By 1990 internet was introduced making a huge impact on the distribution channel of tourism industry, where all the airlines went global with one prime source the internet.
“Distribution channels often both influence consumer behaviour, and determine the ability of the industry to respond to consumers’ requests efficiently” (Buhalis Laws 2001, p.7).There have been few quotes for distribution been mentioned by authors like , “link between the producers of tourism services and their customers” (Gartner & Bachri, 1994, p. 164), there is also a quote been published by WTO (World Tourism Organization) “a distribution channel can be described as a given combination of intermediaries who co-operate in the sale of a product. It follows that a distribution system can be and in most instances is composed of more than one distribution channel, each of which operates parallel to and in competition with other channels” (World Tourism Organization [UNWTO], 1975, quoted in Buhalis & Laws 2001, p.8).The prime focus has always been the product and its distribution channel or also called the intermediaries, any impact or change in society and technology does impact the distribution system. The
