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The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the remarkable trend of multisided platforms (MSPs) in the travel industry with the help of which travel agencies (TAs) and global distribution systems (GDSs) can reinforce their intermediary roles. Orthodox TAs face the threats of disintermediation because of the ever faster-changing developments in information and communication technologies, such as the emergence of metasearch engines, online travel agencies, direct bookings on airline websites and the widespread of mobile applications for travel related bookings. GDSs face similar threats of disintermediation from low-cost carriers and legacy carriers, as these carriers promote and encourage direct bookings via their official websites or via the new distribution capability.

This is a casestudy-oriented research, and the case selected is a MSP based in Turkey. The data are gathered using semi-structured interviews conducted from 15 international representatives of this MSP in different countries. Interviews were conducted either physically at the MSP’s headquarters in Antalya, Turkey, or virtually using Zoom application from January to October 2019.

The paper portrays the significance of MSPs in terms of their contributions toward the reintermediation of the two important intermediaries, namely, TAs and GDSs in the travel industry supply chain. Both of them are prone to the dangers of disintermediation because of the developments in technology, networking and communication channels; the worldwide accessibility of the stakeholders to the internet; and the direct reach of suppliers to consumers. The deteriorating role of TAs and GDSs is reignited by the successful launch, deployment and adoption of MSPs in the ecosystem of the travel industry.

This paper offers an insight into the prevailing trend of MSPs in business to business (B2B) trading from the perspective of two main intermediaries, TAs and GDSs, in the supply chain of the travel industry. The paper in a novel way compiles the data from the interviews to shed light on the adoption of MSPs by intermediaries in their business models to reintermediate themselves because the sole reliance of intermediaries on orthodox business models is pushing them on to the verge of disintermediation.

The major marine functional zoning plan (MMFZP) and marine functional zoning (MFZ) are two important kinds of marine spatial planning (MSP) in China. Their developing and implementation are integral to rational marine utilization and sustainable marine development. The purpose of this research is to study how these two kinds of MSP work in coordination in China.

This paper reviewed the present status of MSP research in China and abroad and presented a comparative study of the MMFZP and MFZ from different aspects, analyzing the relationship between the two.

The study found obvious differences between the MMFZP and MFZ, with respect to their concept and connotation, purpose and goal, as well as zoning methods and zoning functions. MFZ provides reference with respect to data, zoning methods and partial zoning results for the MMFZP, which in turn takes measures for addressing issues faced by MFZ and promotes the national MSP work.

In the process of developing and implementing the two zoning plans, this paper emphasizes the necessity to strengthen data sharing, reference of zoning techniques and coordination in zoning work, which will help to improve China's marine spatial management.