Analysis of the global distribution systems on the international market of tourist services

Abstract

The problems of informatization of society and the development of information technologies is a separate direction of scientific–theoretical research. A new model of providing many kinds of services emerges in modern conditions, based on information technology and computer equipment, which leads to substantial changes in the concept of their product. The monopolization of information space is taking place through the creation of global distribution systems that concentrate international money flows from the provision of tourist services and form financial policy of transactions execution in the area of tourist business. A general approach to the study of these processes has not been discovered as yet. 
The purpose of writing this article is the analysis of infrastructure provision of the development of information services in international tourism on the basis of the analytical review of international statistics and identification of general trends in the distribution of the competitive advantages of the major players in the market. We applied methods of analysis and synthesis, system analysis, comparison and generalization for the study. Main trends of development of the global tourist infrastructure for the provision of information services were analyzed. The booking systems, common in the global information space, were characterized. We found growing competition in the international market of tourist services among the 
biggest global distribution systems Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport. It was proved that there is the division of areas of economic influence on the mega regions of tourist services among the global players in the market. A tendency was revealed of the creation of a globally functioning process of providing tourist services, the basis of which is the internationalized global distribution systems. A conclusion was made about the globalization of the tourist market creating preconditions for enhancing economic relationships between countries, the growth of counter–flows of tourists, goods, services, capital and the know–how, which is constantly increasing. It was demonstrated that the key trend is the formation of a globally functioning process of providing tourist services, the basis of which is the internationalized global distribution systems that happen to be a locomotive for the world tourist industry. 
The scientific novelty of the research is in determining current trends in the market of global distribution systems and the features of distribution of areas of influence among its players. The obtained results can be applied to develop scientific–theoretical bases of strategic management of tourist business in the conditions of global innovative space. Since telecommunication and information technologies allow obtaining information by a potential consumer of a tourist product independently from any distance and at any time, further scientific research is advisable to focus on determining the prospects of functioning for small business enterprises in the international market of tourist services.