What is a Global Distribution System (GDS)?

Summary

This video script explains the importance of utilizing a Global Distribution System (GDS) for modern hotel businesses. A GDS, like Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport, offers worldwide visibility and connects hotels with travel agents, boosting revenue through enhanced exposure and reach. It highlights six key benefits of GDS, including increased bookings, 24/7 visibility, and minimal maintenance through automation. The script also advises on the crucial features to look for in a GDS, such as pooled inventory, integration capabilities, and comprehensive reporting. Ultimately, it emphasizes the role of SiteMinder in helping hotels connect with the right GDS for optimal distribution.

Takeaways

• 😀 A GDS (Global Distribution System) helps hotels by providing live room data like price and availability to travel agents and other distributors.
• 😀 GDS providers, like Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport, are crucial for promoting hotels to the corporate travel market.
• 😀 The six main benefits of using a GDS include increased coverage, revenue, exposure, reach, 24/7 visibility, and minimal maintenance.
• 😀 A GDS increases your visibility beyond your own website, helping you attract more customers.
• 😀 By using a GDS, you can drive more bookings, which directly leads to increased revenue for your hotel.
• 😀 A GDS exposes your hotel to more travel agents who specialize in corporate travel, which can boost business.
• 😀 With a GDS, you can expand your reach by uncovering new market segments for your hotel.
• 😀 GDS ensures 24/7 visibility, keeping your hotel constantly in front of potential clients around the clock.
• 😀 GDS systems are easy to integrate with your Property Management System (PMS) via a channel manager, automating the reservation process.
• 😀 To get the most out of a GDS, hotels should look for providers offering features like pooled inventory, commission-free structure, and integration capabilities.
• 😀 SiteMinder helps connect your hotel to the right GDS, ensuring your property is distributed effectively across the internet.

Q & A

What is a Global Distribution System (GDS)?

A Global Distribution System (GDS) is a worldwide reservation network that provides live room data like price and availability to travel agents and other hotel or travel distributors.

Why is a GDS important for a hotel business?

A GDS is important because it allows hotels to gain more visibility, increase bookings, and access a global network of travel agents and corporate travel markets, thereby promoting their services more effectively.

Which are the three main GDSs mentioned in the script?

The three main GDSs mentioned are Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport (which owns Galileo, Worldspan, and Apollo systems).

How does a GDS benefit a hotel’s revenue?

A GDS benefits a hotel’s revenue by increasing its visibility to travel agents and distributors, leading to more bookings, which directly results in more revenue.

What does 'Exposure' in the context of a GDS mean?

Exposure refers to a hotel being seen by more travel agents who specialize in corporate travel, helping the hotel attract a larger customer base.

What is meant by '24/7 visibility' in relation to a GDS?

'24/7 visibility' means that the hotel’s information is accessible at any time of the day, as the system operates continuously, ensuring the hotel is always visible to potential bookers.

Why is minimal maintenance a benefit of using a GDS?

Minimal maintenance is a benefit because the GDS can integrate with a hotel’s Property Management System (PMS) via a channel manager, automating the reservation process and reducing the need for manual updates.

What are the six key things to look for when choosing a GDS provider?

The six things to look for are: Pooled inventory, Commission-free structure, Integration capability, Comprehensive reporting, Targeting capabilities, and Simple and affordable connection.

How does 'pooled inventory' benefit a hotel when using a GDS?

Pooled inventory allows a hotel to market each of its rooms across all distribution channels simultaneously, maximizing exposure and booking opportunities.

What role does SiteMinder play in connecting hotels with GDSs?

SiteMinder helps hotels connect with the right GDSs, such as Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport, ensuring that the hotel is properly distributed across the internet and visible to the right markets.