Travel Agency Operations

Global Distribution Systems (GDS)

• GDS is a worldwide computerized reservation network used for booking airline seats, hotel rooms, rental cars, and other travel-related items.
• It is also known as Automated Reservation System (ARS) and Computerized Reservation System (CRS).

Benefits of GDS

• Saves time and increases productivity by reducing phone calls and waiting times.
• Gives customers better and quicker service.
• Helps travel agencies to improve their business efficiency.
• Reduces the chance of errors with scheduling.
• Finds the cheapest prices for customers.

Major GDS Systems

• Sabre: one of the oldest GDS systems, operational since 1960, and added advanced airline yield management systems in the 1980s.
• Other major GDS systems include Amadeus, Galileo, and Worldspan.

Capabilities of GDS

• Operational 99.9% of the time, with access available 24/7.
• Can handle up to 17,000 messages per second during peak traffic times.
• Uses advanced enterprise systems architecture for fast response times.
• Can make large numbers of reservations in a short time.
• Can use over 1 billion combinations of fare.
• Has access to more than 95% of available seats in the world, representing over 750 airlines, 50,000 hotels, 400 tours, and 30,000 car rental sites.

Background of GDS

• The first GDS began to be created in the 1950s and became functional in the 1960s.
• Initially owned and operated by airline companies, now independent.
• There are also smaller, local GDS systems in specific regions.

This quiz is about the benefits of technology in travel agency operations, specifically in checking availability and making reservations with airlines.