Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to examine the evolution and transformation of tourism distribution channels, focusing on the role the internet has played in such a process. It attempts to graphically illustrate, in a temporal manner, the evolving complexity of the tourism distribution systems. Design/methodology/approach -This paper provides insights into the change of the structure of tourism distribution that has not been extensively explored. Indeed, the complexity of the tourism distribution structure has been diagrammatically depicted multiple times by previous researchers and each depiction has contributed to a fuller understanding of the body of knowledge by focusing on different aspects of that structure. This paper builds upon those valuable knowledge contributions by focusing on the evolution of the structure over time, systematically and diagrammatically revealing the progressively larger number of intermediation layers, in spite of concurrent disintermediation and reintermediation activity. This paper does not focus on every action of every participant in detail, but rather focuses on categories of intermediaries, looking at pioneering examples of each. Likewise, the comparative rates of technology adoption in different regions of the world are not investigated. Findings -The complex network proposed in this paper indicates that the advance of information and communication technology has not reduced the number of intermediaries in the distribution channel, but rather resulted in an increasingly complex array of intermediaries. The structure of the tourism industry has taken the form of a complex global network. In the struggle to prosper in this environment, participants at various levels will continue to compete, cooperate, merge, form partnerships, and change relationships on a regular basis. Originality/value -The extant literature has covered many aspects of intermediation, disintermediation, and reintermediation, albeit with differing terminologies. Most of these studies have adopted a static and cross-sectional approach in examining the structure and use of tourism distribution channels. This paper examines the historical evolution and progression of tourism distribution channels which is not only important in understanding where we are now as an industry, but also where we came from and where we are heading to.

The development of continuous flow reactors for heterogeneous chemical or biochemical reactions raises the question of efficient mixing and catalyst immobilization. Especially, in those cases where hybrid reactor concepts are aimed at, combining of reaction and extraction in one apparatus requires a solution for reaction and extraction phase distribution and immobilization concepts. Precisely designed structures inserted as reactor packings can be used to control the multiphase hydrodynamics and to act as a catalyst carrier simultaneously. However, the decision for the most suitable structure for specific reaction systems remains a challenge. While numerical simulations with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has limitations regarding the complex interactions in multiphase flows, performing experiments using rapid prototyping (RP) offers the possibility of a fast fabrication and verification of tailor-made structures for specific flow characteristics, efficient mass transport and high conversion rates. Additionally, RP can be used to quickly approve results from CFD simulations in experiments. In the presented work the development of a counter-currently (CC) operated additively manufactured reactor (AMR) for the decarboxylation of ferulic acid (FA) to 2-metoxy-4-vinylphenol (MVP) along <i>in situ</i> extraction with <i>n-</i>heptane is shown. Here, the use and optimization of periodic open-cell structures (POCS) as a carrier for the enzyme phenolic acid decarboxylase and a distributor for the extraction phase is targeted. By rapid prototyping of transparent structures and their examination with respect to the induced flow characteristics of colored heptane, a structure could be optimized for the specific reaction system. The additive manufacturing of the POCS and its application in a CC AMR enabled 95% conversion of 5 mM FA in two hours and a MVP concentration in reaction phase below 0.5 mM.

This chapter provides insights into the change of the structure of tourism distribution. The World Wide Web has changed things dramatically, but the underlying theory and functions of tourism distribution remain the same. Indeed, there are new categories of intermediaries forming a complex web-like distribution structure with many layers, and this has had an impact on the complexity of the purchasing process. Power has shifted to a new category of intermediaries, search engines, and a revenue model based on advertising has grown in importance. In spite of those changes, the issues of human interaction, adding value, consumer trust and branding remain important, just as in ages past. Participants in tourism distribution would be well served to heed both the changes and constants that have manifested in the Web era. Customers should realize that while Web technology gives them the capability to comparison shop, this comes at the cost of time and effort in wading through the complex structure of alternative distribution choices. They should consider that interaction with a human being might add value to their experience by saving time. If they choose to comparison shop, they should keep in mind that meta-search engines and online travel agents might not always provide the lowest possible price. Their investigation would not be complete if they did not investigate pricing offered from other sources, such as supplier websites, supplier telephone numbers, travel agent telephone lines and, when convenient, even travel agent offices, airline and car rental ticket counters, and hotel reservation desks.

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