Current Dynamics and Future Growth of Online Travel Agencies

Abstract

Although the literature on online travel agencies is growing, it is fragmented and incoherent. Hence, this review aims to synthesize the online travel agencies and suggest directions for future research on online travel agencies. The review adopted an integrative literature review method by undertaking a review of sixty-nine empirical studies following rigorous protocols. The review presents the research profile, key research themes, gaps, and limitations of the prior literature. Furthermore, the directions of future research as well as the development of a comprehensive research framework, are also presented. There were five major research themes identified based on prior studies. The study findings will facilitate the scholars and practitioners to contemplate the diverse aspects of the online travel agencies ecosystem, contexts of contemporary research and the methodological progressions for future work. The study provides crucial implications, including integrations of online and offline channels, internet word-of-mouth applications and stakeholder identifications.