A 2012 press release from KPMG - The largest auditing firm in Europe, stated that the Traditional high-volume tour operating model is in terminal decline. Richard Hathaway, KPMG’s Head of Travel, Leisure and Tourism said: “The traditional high-volume tour operating model based on customers pre-booking flights and accommodation packages well in advance is in long term decline as more and more travellers opt for self-packaging online and niche solutions.”
A recent report by Lisa Harris a Retail Banking Expert and Kevin Duckworthy a Senior Travel Industry Professional titled ‘Strategic Change’ paper concluded that the independent travel company has a bight future provided it makes appropriate investment in technology, works closely with niche tour operators and creates competitive differentiation by focusing on specialist markets where core assets such as staff expertise can add value to the buying process and prevent the customer from ‘going it alone’.
A recent report by Lisa Harris a Retail Banking Expert and Kevin Duckworthy a Senior Travel Industry Professional titled ‘Strategic Change’ paper concluded that the independent travel company has a bight future provided it makes appropriate investment in technology, works closely with niche tour operators and creates competitive differentiation by focusing on specialist markets where core assets such as staff expertise can add value to the buying process and prevent the customer from ‘going it alone’.