Has Innovation Become a Routine Practice that Enables Companies to Stay ahead of the Competition in the Travel Industry

Since innovation is at the heart of any successful company’s agenda its role in ensuring competitiveness deserves our full attention. This paper attempts to examine the ways in which tour operators, who assemble packages that include travel and accommodation, approach innovation and competitiveness. It looks in particular at groups which have achieved the complete vertical integration of travel agents, tour operators, airlines, incoming tour operating ground handlers, and accommodation including hotels, apartments and cruise ships. In addition it focuses on the practical, structural and operational challenges faced by companies competing in this sector of tourism.