Online travel agency and case of hotelspro

It might be stated that information technologies? taking part in every sphere of life causes those individuals who participate in tourism to use information technologies more frequently and efficiently. Travel agencies, one of the most efficient actors of tourism marketing, also have to use the systems based on the information technology in parallel with the increasing use of information technology. The intensification and globalization of competition in the tourism industry force travel agencies to continually remain dynamic. It is observed that the individuals participating in tourism demand touristic products of higher quality with more reasonable prices, depending on the increase in supply and competition. In order for travel agencies to meet the demands of individuals in an efficient and productive way, it is unavoidable for them to use information technologies and therefore the Internet.For the retailing travel agencies, information technologies and the Internet stand out as indispensable instruments for communication and marketing strategies. The Internet-intensive information technologies, which provide direct and easy access to individuals, have begun to be used considerably in travel and tourism marketing. The use of the Internet in travel agencies, primary through the Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and the Central Reservation Systems (CRS), becomes widespread to reach new markets, to increase diversity and continuity of demands, to obtain a competitive advantage, and to increase the profitability of an enterprise. The touristic product provider is available on many global and local websites, with the primary one being Expedia.com. In a process, when the individual use of the Internet has become so much widespread through electronic mail and 3G technology, it is inevitable for travel agencies to function in the virtual medium on the Internet.This study was carried out to determine the significance of information technologies and the Internet for travel agencies. The study was designed as three sections and supported with the examination of an example. In the first section of the study, the information technologies and the Internet were emphasized, and the development and significance of information technology and the Internet were studied. In the second section of the study, the use of information technologies and the Internet in travel agencies was emphasized. Travel agency, the reflections of information technologies and the Internet on travel agencies and the online travel agency were studied. The concept of online travel agency and the operation of online travel agency were addressed.The examination of a sample case was included in the third section of the study, which is its last section. The Hotelspro system, which offers online travel and holiday products on the Internet by adopting the B2B strategy, was examined as an example. The system, which offers an online service (B2C) to the final consumer via Tatil.com and provides the intermediary enterprises with a professional supply service under the name Hotelspro, has important characteristics and sample practices for those travel agencies which wish to provide an online travel agency service. Providing essential opportunities for those travel agencies which will perform online travel agency, Hotelspro has a developed online agency supply system function.