GDS
global distribution system
has a history starting from 1960s. First it was a method to track
flight schedules, availability and fares. The first landmark in its
history was when, Sabre and Apollo installed their GDS
technology.
This led to travel agencies generating their own flight bookings for
their customers, while giving airlines more exposure for sales.
Then
came the internet, which led to an avalanche of travel portals and
travel websites. The main GDS providers (Amadeus, Sabre, Worldspan,
Galileo and Travelport) built their own system to consolidate travel
related data. GDS – Global Distribution Systems are shared their
web services to travel agencies and travel technology companies to
develop online travel portals, which can be accessed by B2C users,
agents and corporate companies as well.
What
are the advantages of joining the GDS
Global Distribution System network?
It
facilitates an unmatched virtual marketplace for travel inventory
sellers like hotels, airlines, holiday package providers and car
rental systems. GDS gives opportunity to even budget airlines and
small hotels unprecedented sales exposure. Since more and more
travelers’ book travel products and services online, GDS has
acquired a big status in world travel industry.
In
the present scenario, nearly 700,000 travel agents plug into a GDS
daily to book flights, hotels, car rentals and holiday packages. GDS
is now an international medium connecting travel bookers and
providers. It instantly gives real time information on products,
price and availability to travel agents and online booking engines,
and facilitates automated transactions. The advent of online travel
agencies (OTAs) like Expedia, Booking.com and Wotif has enhanced the
importance and relevance of GDS.
A
global distribution system can enhance hotel room bookings by
corporate as well as leisure travelers, and, thereby, income by
placing hotels on more travel supermarkets worldwide. Real-time rates
and availability are continuously sent directly to the GDS. It’s a
boon to larger hotels and resorts located in attractive regions that
offer standard room types such as single rooms, double rooms, luxury
suites, etc. The technology behind the GDS is older, there are
constraints on the total number of unit types that can be dealt in
the system.
In
addition to GDS, you should also have a well-designed travel website
and user-friendly navigation encouraging customers to book online.
GDS
global distribution system can be the backbone for
inventory.
Regarding
Author:
Author
is a senior business analyst and an expert in travel
portal development
and marketing strategy implementation.
Resources:
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