Expand your hotel’s global presence by connecting to a Global Distribution System (GDS). A GDS allows you to distribute your room inventory to thousands of travel agents and corporate clients worldwide, helping you drive more bookings with greater efficiency.
Why GDS Matters for Hotels Today
In the competitive world of hospitality, visibility is everything. A Global Distribution System connects your hotel to a powerful network of travel agents and corporate bookers, allowing you to secure more business without relying solely on direct bookings or walk-ins.
How GDS Benefits Your Hotel
Expanded Global Visibility
A GDS places your hotel in front of thousands of travel agents and corporate bookers who otherwise may not find your property through direct search.
Higher Revenue Opportunities
By tapping into new markets and corporate accounts, GDS can help you fill rooms at better rates, particularly during low-demand periods.
New Market Penetration
Hotels can expand beyond traditional guest profiles, targeting travelers from emerging markets, niche industries, and international corporations.
Actionable Business Intelligence
Access to guest trends, booking windows, and geographic data empowers you to refine your pricing strategy and stay competitive.
Is GDS Right for Your Hotel? Key Factors to Consider
Hotel Location
Properties near airports, convention centers, or major business hubs tend to benefit the most from GDS connectivity.
Inventory Size
Hotels with 20+ rooms typically see better returns, as they can cater to larger group bookings and corporate contracts through the system.
Occupancy Trends
If your property faces off-season slumps, GDS bookings can help smooth occupancy levels year-round by attracting international travelers and corporate clients.
Average Daily Rate (ADR)
GDS platforms tend to deliver the best results for hotels with mid-to-high ADRs, where commission costs can be offset by higher revenue per booking.
Why Integrate GDS with a Channel Manager?
This approach supports Efficient Revenue Management Strategies for Independent Hotels, ensuring consistent inventory control and faster time to market.
How AxisRooms Strengthens Your GDS Distribution Strategy
At AxisRooms, our Channel Manager is purpose-built for hotels aiming to maximize the impact of their GDS connections.
With real-time, two-way synchronization between your PMS, GDS, and OTA platforms, AxisRooms ensures your rates and availability are always updated instantly across all channels.
This seamless integration not only improves booking accuracy but also allows your staff to focus more on guest experience rather than backend system updates — a crucial advantage in today’s competitive hospitality environment.
Additionally, with native Payment Gateways integrated, the booking-to-payment journey becomes frictionless, allowing hotels to convert leads into confirmed reservations more efficiently.
Major Global Distribution Systems in Hospitality
Hoteliers generally work with one of these three leading GDS providers:
- Amadeus: A strong player for hotels targeting European and corporate travelers.
- Sabre: Popular among hotels in the Americas and strong in business travel bookings.
- Travelport: Offers broad global coverage with sub-systems like Galileo, Apollo, and World span.
With the global GDS market valued at approximately $3.9 billion as of 2023 and responsible for an estimated 595 million bookings worldwide in 2022, these platforms continue to be powerhouses in travel distribution despite growing competition from direct booking channels.
Choosing the right GDS depends on your hotel’s location, target audience, and the corporate markets you want to reach.
Essential GDS Features Every Hotel Should Consider
Pooled Inventory
A GDS should allow you to list all your available rooms simultaneously across every distribution channel, ensuring maximum exposure without risking overbookings.
Seamless PMS and Channel Manager Integration
Integration with your Property Management System (PMS) and Channel Manager simplifies operations, keeps your rates and availability accurate, and saves valuable front desk hours.
Regional and Market Reach
Ensure the GDS covers the markets you want to target, whether that's domestic business travel, long-haul international guests, or niche tourism sectors.
Reporting and Analytics
Detailed performance reports help you make informed pricing and marketing decisions, giving you a clearer view of what’s working and where to optimize.
Dynamic Packaging Options
A GDS that supports bundling rooms with flights, rental cars, or activities adds value to your offerings and appeals to package-seeking travelers.
How the GDS Came Into Existence
As travel demand exploded in the 1960s, the hospitality and airline industries needed a faster way to manage bookings.
American Airlines and IBM built the first automated reservation system, leading to the early versions of the GDS; by 1970, Westin Hotels became the first hotel brand to implement electronic booking.
Today’s GDS platforms have evolved into essential sales engines for hotels of all sizes, connecting them with thousands of travel buyers globally. This evolution is particularly significant in emerging markets like India, where the travel industry generated more than $15 billion in revenue in 2022, with a significant portion facilitated through GDS platforms.
How AxisRooms Simplifies GDS Connectivity for Hotels
At AxisRooms, we help hotels drive more business through a unified platform that connects your property to all major Global Distribution Systems.
Our Channel Manager ensures seamless PMS Integrations, real-time inventory synchronization, and robust reporting tools designed specifically for hoteliers aiming to boost visibility and optimize sales.
Over 4000+ hotels globally trust AxisRooms to grow their GDS and OTA presence without the operational burden.
Final Thoughts
For hoteliers looking to increase occupancy, expand reach, and grow revenue streams, partnering with a Global Distribution System is a strategic move.
By integrating a GDS through a trusted partner like AxisRooms, your hotel can build stronger B2B relationships, fill more rooms, and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive marketplace.