Intermediaries as Bundlers, Traders and Quality Assessors: The Case of UK Tour Operators

Panos Pashardes, Sofronis Clerides and Paris Nearchou

No 5038, CEPR Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Policy Research

Abstract: We study the intermediary role of tour operators in the market for package tourism. Intermediaries often arise in order to facilitate trade in markets characterized by asymmetric information. In the travel industry policy-makers have tried to address information asymmetries by providing hotel ratings. We argue that those ratings are not accurate indicators of quality. Ratings provided by tour operators are more informative and allow for international comparisons. Intermediation by tour operators provides a better matching of quality with price and therefore leads to a more efficient market outcome. There is, nonetheless, scope for government intervention to improve information provision.

Keywords: Intermediaries; Middlemen; Asymmetric information; Tour operators; Tourism industry (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L15 L83 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2005-05
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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