connect travel agencies, online booking platforms, and corporate travel managers to thousands of travel suppliers. Provide live inventory for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more, all in one system. Aggregate real-time information so travelers can instantly book and confirm reservations worldwide. Revolutionized the travel industry by replacing slow, manual phone or email bookings with instant electronic transactions.
always see current availability. Global Reach – access to suppliers and customers worldwide. Fare Comparison Tools – allowing agents to offer competitive pricing. Automated Ticketing and Invoicing – streamlining back-office operations. Integration with CRM and Accounting Systems – for seamless workflow management.
retail model is the classic approach where travel agents act as intermediaries, selling rooms, flights or packages directly to customers at published rates. Merchant Model : In the merchant model, online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia purchase inventory from hotels or airlines at a discounted rate and then resell it to customers at a markup.
surprise: customers book without knowing the exact brand or property until after the purchase is complete. NDC (New Distribution Capability) : NDC is a modern standard developed by IATA that enables airlines to offer richer, more personalized content directly to travel sellers, bypassing some of the limitations of traditional GDS.
of travel products (flights, hotels, cars, etc.) without needing direct contracts with every supplier. Grow revenue by offering more choices to customers, making your agency more competitive. Standardize booking processes across multiple suppliers, reducing errors and saving time. Simplify complex bookings, allowing agents to handle multi-service itineraries with ease.
schedules, fare classes, seat availability, and ancillary services in real time. Enables airlines to adjust pricing dynamically and manage inventory instantly. Automates ticketing, refund processing, and itinerary changes, reducing manual work.
hotel chains to thousands of travel agencies, corporate travel managers, and online travel agencies (OTAs) worldwide. Allows hotels to upload live rates, room availability, and special offers directly to the GDS. Updates room information instantly across all connected booking channels, ensuring consistency.
car rental companies to travel agencies, OTAs, and corporate booking tools globally. Rental providers upload live vehicle availability, pricing, and policies (e.g., mileage limits, insurance). Agents can search, compare, and instantly book rental cars alongside flights and hotels.
developed by IATA (International Air Transport Association). It allows airlines to distribute richer, more personalized offers directly to travel agents and consumers. Unlike traditional GDS fare filings, NDC supports dynamic pricing, bundled ancillaries, and customized promotions. NDC enables airlines to showcase branded fares, seat maps, in-flight services, and ancillary products in detail
costs typically range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the GDS provider and your agency’s size. Monthly Fees: Agencies usually pay monthly service or subscription fees to maintain GDS access. These can start around a few hundred dollars per month and go up based on transaction volume. Transaction Fees: GDS providers often charge per booking or per passenger segment, which can add costs for every reservation made. Hardware/Software Costs: Some agencies invest in compatible booking terminals, software licenses, or upgrades to connect with GDS systems.