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An Exploratory Investigation of Japanese Inbound Tourism Distribution Channels

Research Project

Project/Area Number 18K01870
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Section一般
Review Section Basic Section 07090:Commerce-related
Research InstitutionOtaru University of Commerce

Principal Investigator

Wang Liyong  小樽商科大学, 商学部, 准教授 (70772466)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) Praet Carolus  小樽商科大学, 商学部, 教授 (40292081)
Project Period (FY) 2018-04-01 – 2024-03-31
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2023)
Budget Amount *help
¥3,900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥900,000)
Fiscal Year 2020: ¥520,000 (Direct Cost: ¥400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥120,000)
Fiscal Year 2019: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
Fiscal Year 2018: ¥1,950,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥450,000)
KeywordsDistribution channels / TDC structure / Luxury travel / Disintermediation / Channel relationship / Social Exchange theory / Tour operators / Accommodation providers / Satisfaction / Relationship commitment / Outbound tour operator / DMC / Hotel / SET theory / channel relationship / Factors on TDC selection / Inbound tour operator / In-depth interview / Qualitative research / Inbound tourism / distribution channels
Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research initially investigated the inbound TDC structure in Japan. Through in-depth interviews, we found several distinctive features of TDC in the luxury segment due to travelers' highly personalized needs. Moreover, we categorized the TDC structure into four sections, including sales and communication channels on the market side and procurement and communication channels on the destination side.
Furthermore, based on the social exchange theory, we examined the evolutional and dynamic channel relationship between accommodation providers and tour operators/DMCs. While close cooperative relationships are still important for the tourism industry and for travelers, traditional tour operators are losing their market power and accommodation providers are less dependent on traditional tour operators. Despite dissatisfaction in their relational exchanges, both sides highlighted the importance of commitment to maintain long-term healthy relationships.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

This study filled the research gap on TDC structure and TDC relationships in Japan based on SET. Apart from theoretical contributions, this study shed light on effective distribution channel strategies and concrete guidance for outbound tour operators, DMCs, and accommodation providers.

Report

(7 results)
  • 2023 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report ( PDF )
  • 2022 Research-status Report
  • 2021 Research-status Report
  • 2020 Research-status Report
  • 2019 Research-status Report
  • 2018 Research-status Report
  • Research Products

    (14 results)

All 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019

All Journal Article (3 results) (of which Peer Reviewed: 3 results) Presentation (11 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 7 results,  Invited: 1 results)

  • [Journal Article] Relational exchanges in the tourism distribution channels: An exploratory study on accommodation providers and tour operators2023

    • Author(s)
      Liyong Wang
    • Journal Title

      Tourism and Hospitality Research

      Volume: online fist Issue: 1 Pages: 3-14

    • DOI

      10.1177/14673584231182956

    • Related Report
      2023 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Tourism distribution channels in the luxury travel segment: Outbound tour operator perspectives2023

    • Author(s)
      Liyong Wang; Carolus L. C. Praet
    • Journal Title

      10th Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Marketing and Management (AHTMM) Conference Proceedings

      Volume: - Pages: 269-276

    • Related Report
      2023 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Channel conflicts between hoteliers and inbound tour operators in Japan: An exploratory study2022

    • Author(s)
      Liyong Wang, Carolus Praet
    • Journal Title

      THE INC 2022 Conference Proceedings - Tourism, Hospitality & Events Innovation and Resilience during Uncertainty

      Volume: - Pages: 216-217

    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Presentation] CHANNEL RELATIONSHIPS OF TOURISM ENTERPRISES: A CASE OF HOTELS AND TOUR OPERATORS IN JAPAN2023

    • Author(s)
      Liyong Wang
    • Organizer
      the 10th Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Marketing and Management conference (AHTMM)
    • Related Report
      2023 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] TOURISM DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS IN THE LUXURY TRAVEL SEGMENT: OUTBOUND TOUR OPERATOR PERSPECTIVES2023

    • Author(s)
      Liyong Wang; Carolus L. C. Praet
    • Organizer
      the 10th Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Marketing and Management conference (AHTMM)
    • Related Report
      2023 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Channel conflicts between hoteliers and inbound tour operators in Japan: An exploratory study2022

    • Author(s)
      Liyong Wang
    • Organizer
      THE INC 2022 (Tourism, Hospitality & Events International Conference)
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] 旅行業の流通チャネルに関して ー 北海道におけるホテルとインバウンド・ツアーオペレーターとのチャネル・コンフリクトを中心に2022

    • Author(s)
      王 力勇
    • Organizer
      日本商業学会北海道部会
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] Disintermediation in tourism distribution channels: the case of outbound tour operators in the luxury travel market2021

    • Author(s)
      Liyong Wang
    • Organizer
      6th World Research Summit for Hospitality and Tourism
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Managing distribution channel relationship: the perspective of hoteliers in Japan2021

    • Author(s)
      Liyong Wang
    • Organizer
      6th World Research Summit for Hospitality and Tourism
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] インタネットが観光業に及ばす影響2021

    • Author(s)
      王 力勇
    • Organizer
      UHB大学 一般教養講座
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] Tourism distribution channels - the perspective of outbound tour operators in luxury segment2020

    • Author(s)
      Liyong Wang
    • Organizer
      The 14th International Triangle Symposium
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Distribution Channels in the Luxury Travel Market: An Exploratory Study of Outbound Tour Operators2019

    • Author(s)
      Liyong Wang
    • Organizer
      The 8th Advances in Tourism Marketing Conference
    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] ラグジュアリー旅行業における流通チャネルに関して ー ツアー・オペレーターからの視点2019

    • Author(s)
      王 力勇
    • Organizer
      日本商業学会北海道部会
    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] インタネットが観光業にもたらす変化と魅力2019

    • Author(s)
      王 力勇
    • Organizer
      時代がよめる経済・ビジネス講座
    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report
    • Invited

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Published: 2018-04-23   Modified: 2025-01-30  

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