Everything about the GDS
What is a GDS?
GDS stands for Global Distribution System. It is a computerized network system used by travel agencies and other travel-related businesses to access information about travel products, such as flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. GDS systems provide real-time access to travel inventory and pricing information from a wide range of suppliers, including airlines, hotels, and car rental companies, which allows travel agents to book travel arrangements for their clients. Some of the most popular GDS systems include Amadeus, Sabre, Galileo, and Worldspan.
GDS stands for Global Distribution System, which is a computerized reservation system used by travel agents and online travel agencies to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel-related services for their customers.
How GDS Works?
GDSs are essentially large databases of travel inventory, constantly updated with information from airlines, hotels, and other travel providers. When a travel agent or customer searches for travel options, the GDS searches its database and returns a list of available options and their prices.
GDSs connect travel agents and travel providers through a network of electronic communication channels, allowing travel agents to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel-related services on behalf of their customers in real-time. In addition, GDSs provide various tools to help travel agents manage their bookings, including itinerary management, invoicing, and reporting.
The major GDSs in the market include Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport, which collectively serve thousands of travel agencies and millions of travelers around the world.
What are the 3 major GDS?
The three major Global Distribution Systems (GDS) used by the travel industry are:
Amadeus
This is a leading GDS system used by travel agencies and airlines worldwide, offering a wide range of travel products and services, including flight reservations, hotel bookings, car rentals, and more.
Sabre
Sabre is another popular GDS system used by travel agencies and airlines, providing access to a range of travel products, such as flights, hotels, and car rentals, as well as other travel-related services.
Travelport
Travelport is a GDS system that provides access to a range of travel products and services, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and more, through a variety of different channels, including travel agencies, online travel booking sites, and mobile apps. Travelport’s GDS platform includes the Apollo, Galileo, and Worldspan systems.
What are the main functions of GDS?
The main functions of a Global Distribution System (GDS) are:
Inventory Management
GDS systems store and manage a vast amount of travel inventory data from airlines, hotels, car rentals, and other travel providers. This data includes real-time availability and pricing information, which travel agents can use to make bookings for their clients.
Reservation Management
GDS systems allow travel agents to search, compare and book travel services for their clients. Agents can check availability, compare prices, and make reservations on behalf of their clients in real-time.
Pricing and Ticketing
GDS systems offer a wide range of pricing and ticketing options, including published fares, negotiated rates, and discounted fares. Travel agents can use the GDS to search for the best fares, apply discounts and promotions, and issue tickets to their clients.
Sales and Marketing
GDS systems provide travel agents with access to sales and marketing tools, including promotional materials, booking engines, and reporting tools. These tools help agents to increase sales, track bookings, and analyze customer data.
Distribution: GDS systems distribute travel inventory and information to travel agents and other travel providers through various channels, including online booking engines, call centers, and mobile applications.
Overall, GDS systems serve as a central hub for the travel industry, providing travel agents with real-time access to travel inventory, pricing, and reservation data, and enabling them to book and manage travel services on behalf of their clients.
What does GDS consist of?
A GDS (Global Distribution System) typically consists of several components that work together to provide travel agents and online travel agencies with access to a wide range of travel inventory. These components may include:
Inventory database: This is the core component of the GDS, containing information on flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel services. The database is updated in real-time, allowing travel agents to search and book travel options as they become available.
Reservation system: The reservation system allows travel agents to check availability, book travel services, and manage reservations for their clients. The system also allows travel agents to view and modify bookings, cancel reservations, and issue tickets.
Connectivity platform: The connectivity platform provides a secure and reliable connection between the GDS and travel providers. This enables the GDS to access the inventory databases of airlines, hotels, and other travel suppliers, and retrieve information on pricing, availability, and booking rules.
User interface: The user interface is the graphical interface that travel agents and online travel agencies use to access the GDS. It provides a range of tools and features to help travel agents search for travel options, compare prices, and manage bookings.
Payment gateway: The payment gateway allows travel agents to process payments for bookings made through the GDS. The gateway may support a range of payment methods, including credit cards, bank transfers, and virtual wallets.
Overall, the GDS is a complex system that enables travel agents and online travel agencies to access a vast network of travel inventory, book travel services on behalf of their clients, and manage reservations and payments in a streamlined and efficient manner.
