GDS (Global Distribution System)
GDS (Global Distribution System) is a worldwide computerized reservation network that connects travel suppliers — hotels, airlines, car rental companies — with travel agents and corporate booking tools. GDSs were the original distribution backbone of the travel industry, predating the internet by decades.
The big four
- Amadeus — Strongest in Europe and the Middle East
- Sabre — Dominant in North America
- Travelport — Parent of Galileo, Worldspan, and Apollo
- TravelSky — Dominant in China
How GDS works for hotels
Hotels connect to the GDS via their CRS (Central Reservation System) or a channel manager. Corporate travel agents, TMCs (travel management companies), and business booking tools like Concur pull inventory and rates from the GDS to book on behalf of their clients.
Why it still matters
Despite the rise of OTAs and direct booking, the GDS remains the dominant channel for corporate and managed business travel. A hotel without GDS distribution effectively gives up access to the corporate travel market.