Switch (Distribution Switch)
A switch (distribution switch) is a middleware layer that sits between a hotel's reservation systems and external distribution partners, translating and routing messages so that systems speaking different formats can exchange availability, rates, and reservations reliably. Rather than every property management system, central reservation system, or channel manager building and maintaining a direct, bespoke integration with every OTA, GDS, and wholesaler, each connects once to the switch, which normalizes the data and brokers the two-way flow on their behalf.
A switch typically handles ARI (Availability, Rates, and Inventory) messages outbound to channels and pulls reservation, modification, and cancellation messages inbound, while managing retries, message queuing, and format translation between standards such as the OpenTravel Alliance (OTA) XML schema and proprietary partner APIs.
Example
A regional hotel group runs a CRS that supports a single OTA-standard XML feed. To distribute across twelve OTAs, three GDSs, and a metasearch partner — each with slightly different message specifications — the group connects its CRS to a distribution switch. The switch maintains the fifteen partner integrations centrally, so when a new OTA is added the group inherits connectivity without writing new code.
Why it matters
Switches dramatically reduce the integration burden of wide distribution. They improve message reliability through queuing and retry logic, shorten the time to onboard new channels, and centralize monitoring so connectivity issues can be diagnosed in one place. For revenue and distribution teams, a robust switch means rates and inventory propagate accurately and quickly across the channel mix, reducing the risk of overbookings, parity breaches, and lost ARI updates.
Related
- Channel Manager — often consumes or complements a switch to push ARI to OTAs
- CRS (Central Reservation System) — a common upstream system connected to the switch
- NDC (New Distribution Capability) and GDS — distribution standards a switch may bridge
- Rate Plan / Room Type Mapping — the matching the switch relies on to route inventory correctly