Volume 14 – 2025 (003)

Inovação nos modelos de negócio das agências de viagens tradicionais: uma abordagem teórica ao “Business Model Canvas” como ferramenta na transformação digital

Elói Jorge e Luís Almeida

1 ISCET – High Institute of Business and Tourism Sciences, Porto, Portugal

To cite this text: Jorge, E. e Almeida L. (2025). Inovação nos modelos de negócio das agências de viagens tradicionais: uma abordagem teórica ao “Business Model Canvas” como ferramenta na transformação digital, Percursos & Ideias, 14, 20-33.

doi: 10.56123/pi2025n14003

Published Language: Portuguese.

View Full Text PDF

Abstract

In the context of accelerated digital transformation, there are indications that the business model of traditional travel agencies is becoming obsolete. This phenomenon can be attributed to the advent of novel technological paradigms and shifts in consumption patterns. The present study employs a qualitative and exploratory methodology, underpinned by the Business Model Canvas instrument, with a specific emphasis on five of the nine constituent components of the model in question: customer segments, distribution channels, customer relationships, key activities, and key partnerships. These elements are regarded as being particularly sensitive to the pressures of digitization.
The study’s findings suggest that the implementation of this instrument facilitates a systematic examination of the vulnerabilities and capabilities of the prevailing business model, thereby enabling technological transition. Theoretically, the concept has been proven to function as both a diagnostic and strategic intervention instrument in scenarios of digital disruption. The present study makes a significant contribution to both academia and business by reflecting upon organizational innovation in traditional travel agencies. Yet, it can also readily be extrapolated to the tourism sector in general.

Keywords

Business model, Travel agency, Digital transformation, Business Model Canvas.

References

Aguiar-Quintana, T., Moreno-Gil, S., & Picazo-Peral, P. (2016). How could traditional travel agencies improve their competitiveness and survive? A qualitative study in Spain. Tourism Management Perspectives, 20, 98–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2016.07.011

Bakır, M., & Atalık, Ö. (2021). Application of Fuzzy AHP and Fuzzy MARCOS approach for the evaluation of e-service quality in the airline industry. Decision Making: Applications in Management and Engineering, 4(1), 127–152. https://doi.org/10.31181/dmame2104127b

Battour, M., Mady, K., Salaheldeen, M., Ratnasari, R. T., Sallem, R., & Al Sinawi, S. (2024). Halal tourism and ChatGPT: An overview of current trends and future research directions. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 15(12), 3464–3483. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-11-2023-0379

Bednar, R., & Slávik, Š. (2015). Innovation space of the business models. Scientific Annals of the “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași Economic Sciences, 62(1), 63–84. https://doi.org/10.1515/aicue-2015-0005

Casadesus-Masanell, R., & Ricart, J. E. (2010). From strategy to business models and onto tactics. Long Range Planning, 43(2–3), 195–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2010.01.004

Chan, G. S., & Guillet, D. B. (2016). A new revenue management framework for Hong Kong travel agencies. Journal of Management and Sustainability, 6(3), 57–67. https://doi.org/10.5539/jms.v6n3p57

Chen, X., Hyun, S. S., & Lee, T. J. (2022). The effects of parasocial interaction, authenticity, and self-congruity on the formation of consumer trust in online travel agencies. International Journal of Tourism Research, 24(4), 563–576. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2522

Foss, N. J., & Saebi, T. (2017). Fifteen years of research on business model innovation: How far have we come, and where should we go? Journal of Management, 43(1), 200–227. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206316675927

Fuertes, G., Alfaro, M., Vargas, M., Gutiérrez, S., Ternero, R., & Sabattin, J. (2020). Conceptual framework for strategic management: A descriptive literature review. Journal of Engineering, 2020, 6253013. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/6253013

Geissdoerfer, M., Vladimirova, D., & Evans, S. (2018). Sustainable business model innovation: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 198, 401–416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.06.240

Granstrand, O., & Holgersson, M. (2020). Innovation ecosystems: A conceptual review and a new definition. Technovation, 90, 102098. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2019.102098

Joyce, A., & Paquin, R. L. (2016). The triple layered business model canvas: A tool to design more sustainable business models. Journal of Cleaner Production, 135, 1474–1486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.06.067

Kanbach, D. K., Heiduk, L., Blüher, G., Schreiter, M., & Lahmann, A. (2024). The GenAI is out of the bottle: Generative artificial intelligence from a business model innovation perspective. Review of Managerial Science, 18(4), 1189–1220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-023-00696-z

Knott, E., Rao, A. H., Summers, K., & Teeger, C. (2022). Interviews in the social sciences. Nature Reviews Methods Primers, 2(1), 73. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43586-022-00150-6

Ku, E. C. (2024). Anthropomorphic chatbots as a catalyst for marketing brand experience: Evidence from online travel agencies. Current Issues in Tourism, 27(23), 4165–4184. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2023.2289592

Kupczyk, T., Dewalska-Opitek, A., Witczak, O., Budziński, M., & Kalita, D. (2024). Business Model Canvas application in start-up stage business developments – constraints and challenges. European Research Studies Journal, 27(4), 921–940. https://doi.org/10.35808/ersj/3611

Jorzik, P., Klein, S. P., Kanbach, D. K., & Kraus, S. (2024). AI-driven business model innovation: A systematic review and research agenda. Journal of Business Research, 182, 114764. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114764

Leppänen, P., George, G., & Alexy, O. (2023). When do novel business models lead to high performance? A configurational approach. Academy of Management Journal, 66(1), 164–194. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2020.0969

Osterwalder, A., & Pigneur, Y. (2013). Business Model Generation: A handbook for visionaries, game changers and challengers. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 978-1-118-65640-2.