Global Distribution System.
📊 What is a GDS?
A GDS (Global Distribution System) is a technology platform that enables hotels to distribute their room inventory directly to travel agencies, especially offline and corporate agents. It acts as a bridge between a hotel’s system and the travel agents booking on behalf of clients.
🧮 How does a GDS work?
- The hotel uploads room availability and rates to the system.
- Travel agents access this information in real time.
- Bookings are automatically transmitted back to the hotel’s system.
- Well-known GDS platforms include Amadeus, Sabre, Galileo and Worldspan.
✅ Why is the GDS important?
- Provides hotels with access to corporate and agency travel markets.
Expands commercial reach without needing direct contracts. - Increases international visibility.
- Enables independent hotels to compete with larger chains.
📘 Practical example of GDS
A small independent hotel connects to Amadeus GDS to offer its rooms to corporate travel agencies in Germany and the UK, opening up new revenue streams.
👉 A digital network that connects hotels with travel agencies around the world to automate room sales.
