Many years back I am talking mid 80' and 90's the tour operators and there were many back then had what is known as Guaranteed contracts so basically they (the owners) received a very small per bed income for the whole season so really guaranteed money. Empty or full. This was paid monthly so all owners had money to pay staff, suppliers, such as laundy, chemicals for pool, cleaners etc.
Then around the mid 2000's as a lot of the companies where eaten up by the larger companies contracts changed to what is now known as allotment. i.e the owners got paid a slightly better per bed price but only for the days they have guests. These payments were made by the tour operators after guests departed so they received their money normally 60 days after the departing guests.
There were a few changes pre Covid when some UK tour operators paid again for a guarantee hotel but then they said the owners could only be exclusive to them, so basically that they had to put their eggs in one basket. Many suffered when Thomas Cook went bust.....
Now going on from Covid situation, the owners all have allotment contracts so again will only get paid for the guests they have received, and will again receive their payment normally 60 days again after departure of guests. The difference now is they can also offer guests to book directly and stop sales on the Tour opertors if they have their own rooms booked. however for cash flow being the 2nd Covid season it means that suppliers such as staff, laundry, chemicals for pool will also all have to wait for their money - so you can see the chain forming.
I hope I have explained that as simply as possible.......
I would also add thank you Jimbo for mentioning Corfu Selections - a hobby which has grown even more so since Covvd and offers everyone around the world a chance to visit NW Corfu. I have had so far this Summer guests from UK, Poland, Spain, Holland and Belgium as the market has to open as unfortunetaly if the present situation reemains we can no longer rely on our very welcomed UK visitors. The idea came after leaving Thomas Cook when again the larger operators dropped small friendly units such as the like of Manos had previously, lovely accommodtion but didn't make commercial sense for back then mosty brouchres that needed to be published so why not support our local owners. Hence my website Corfu selections was formed, I also now have one just dedicated to San Stefanos which is San Stefanos Apartments. The power of the Internet - whom would have known.......
Of course we now have lots of bed bank sites such as Bookings and others. But I focus on Arillas and Agios Stefanos and know all the owners personally and as I work up at Vicky's many pop by to see me too.
So as the originall debate Independant V Tour Operator it is down to each person to decide, as we need the major operators however it is great we can also offer now the choice for those with operators to also book directly as well. And other accommodation the big boys don't want can be offered too in this new digital world......