I GDSacronym for Global Distribution System (i.e. Global Distribution System) are computer systems used by travel agencies to manage bookings and purchases of airline tickets, hotel reservations, as well as rental cars or other tourist services.
Initially created exclusively for airline operators, these computerised reservation systems later became the main tool of the entire travel business world.
They manage large databases by connecting the various players in the sector, thus creating a 'one-stop shop' for travel bookings.
The history of GDS
In the 1970s, some airlines extended the use of their internal reservation systems to travel agencies, giving them the first automated means of creating electronic airline reservations. The development of these airline systems for agencies initiated the computerised reservation system (GDS), the world's first networked infrastructure for e-commerce.
By the early 1990s, all US travel agencies had these automated services and the GDS had become the main vehicle through which air and non-air travel intermediaries distributed and sold their products and services. Initially, only a few airlines had developed their own automated systems and considered selling their systems to travel agencies and other companies. Soon, however, competition became fierce.
Given the success of these systems, the US and European authorities introduced regulations in the 1980s and 1990s to ensure that these airline-owned systems could not discriminate against other systems, other airlines or travel agencies.
GDS systems: Amadeus
In 1987, Air France, Iberia, Lufthansa and SAS founded the Amadeusas an alternative to the American GDSs Sabre and Apollo. Currently, Amadeus is the third largest system in terms of market share, owning 14%, and is the undisputed distribution leader for Italian travel agencies, with a growth in our country of over 20% in terms of booked segments.
Knowing how to use the GDS Amadeusis therefore essential for those who wish to work in a travel agency.
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