How to Choose the Best GDS Connectivity Provider for your Hotel?

Global Distribution System Providers aren't new. They have been around for decades and have a consistent and dedicated user base, aka travel management companies (TMCs). When you get your hotel onto a GDS system or even just on the top GDS in the world, you get a chance to expand your hotel's reach further than ever before. It's a good marketing strategy if you're currently looking for one.

While there isn't an accurate or fixed answer to the question, 'Which is the most popular GDS system in the world?' This article will help you choose one that's best for your hotel.

Furthermore, any GDS you choose should function just as any other integration you have - it should simply connect to your hotel's Channel Manager seamlessly. So here's covering the basics:

Finding the right GDS providers can be difficult, but if you explore the list of GDS systems available, the choice will become easier!

Simple and Efficient

One of the most essential things to look out for when choosing a GDS is prominent hotel GDS providers that are designed for the business. That means they should have an extranet that connects to your existing tech stack and should be user-friendly and efficient.

Vast Network

Another thing that you must look for when going through our GDS systems list is that your hotel should use a GDS that positions you such that you receive special pricing queries from corporations looking for large booking volumes. These inquiries are Request for Proposals (RFPs) and are often managed directly by the GDS provider.

RFP Support & Management

RFP Management can be a separate thing, managed usually by the hotel’s sales team. Agreed rates can be simply updated once a year in the channel manager or the GDS CRS directly.

What is unique, though, is the fact that hotels can offer additional commission to travel agents making bookings as a form of an incentive. This can be visible on the agency side of GDS, and travel agents can choose hotels based on their location, pricing, and commission offered.

Additional Features

If you're asking, 'Which GDS is best for travel agents?', you're asking the wrong question. Instead, you should think about getting your hotel on a GDS that has the ability to offer additional commission to travel agents making bookings. Most hotels do that with (Best Available Rate) BAR bookings, but if there are special rates agreed upon for certain companies, the bookings are usually non-commissionable.

A list of the top ten GDS providers that can help your hotel get additional revenue and access to a wider audience.

What to Look for in Your Global Distribution System (GDS) Connectivity Provider?

When going through Global Distribution System companies or providers, here are some basics that you must look for:

1. Seamless and complete control over rates and availability visible on the GDS.

2. Option to work with the GDS provider on generating new sales and revenue streams.

3. Control over any content or images visible on the GDS of your hotel.

4. Ability to review and change GDS presence and hotel comp set presence.

5. The total cost of booking acquisition, including all set and RFP Management related fees.

6. Technical integrations with channel managers, PMS, and other tech stack.

7. Automated reporting and statistics with insights.

8. Information on GDS intelligence, travel agencies, TMCs, consortia, and more.

9. Prompt and efficient customer support and/or training resources.

Which is the Best GDS System for Your Hotel?

There's no one answer - hotels should be present on all GDS providers simultaneously to access all travel agents. This is mainly because different travel agencies use different GDSs. If you want your hotel to be visible to all travel agents around the world, then presence on all GDS systems simultaneously would be advised.

When working with a top GDS provider, hotels should be able to connect to a Channel Manager and receive maintenance-free bookings. Rate Parity is key, and special corporate rates (coming mainly from corporate RFPs) should be managed by your ‘good’ GDS provider efficiently.

Additionally, Corporate Rate Loading Instructions (RLS) usually include a mix of different agencies using different GDSs. This means that hotels might be required to register with a particular GDS as a condition to work with a particular TMC. To know more, read: The Big Players of B2B Hotel Distribution.

Not all GDS companies provide the same type of GDS service in all locations, so what can work well in one of the major cities in the USA may not be able to bring the same result in the EU, and the other way around. Therefore, check out the best GDS Systems list to find the one or more systems right for your hotel:

B2B Distribution as an Essential Part of Your Growth Strategy

While the B2B hotel distribution industry is complicated, the primary goal is to allow accommodation providers to have seamless and effective exposure to inventory. At the same time, it lets travel providers effectively and effortlessly search and book inventory, without any need for a pre-existing relationship with the hotel.

Contrary to popular belief, it isn't required for the hoteliers to understand the entire ecosystem. Simply put, B2B distribution allows a property to sell room nights to a wholesale travel agency or B2B distributor to be sold later to a retail travel agency.

It's important to note that most platforms include a specific payment module that eliminates comprehensive reconciliation processes. Additionally, they include a content module, allowing hoteliers to control the data and images of the property.

How to get Started with B2B Hotel Distribution

A B2B distribution sales channel, which is actually a sum of channels, can often generate doubts about the operation due to the complexities involved. However, what is clear is that the ability to sell directly to the wholesaler or retailer, thereby avoiding intermediaries, is always the best choice.

The three biggest Global Distribution Systems (GDS) include Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport. Since these can't be accessed directly, you need to go through GDS connectivity providers.

Bed banks, specializing in contract supply from accommodation providers and hotels (mostly long-haul international holiday destinations), make the service available to sellers that aggregate demand from multiple sources, such as traditional travel agencies, small and medium tour operators, budget airlines, etc.

Wholesalers, on the other hand, partner up with hotels by purchasing rooms for resale on a B2B network. Typically, they act as the interface between a travel agency and a hotel.