The integration of GDS (Global Distribution System) and OTA (Online Travel Agency) refers to connecting software or platforms with global distribution systems and online travel agencies to enable bookings for flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel services.
Typical functions of software in the GDS-/OTA-Integration domain include:
Integration with GDS systems: Integration with leading GDS systems such as Amadeus, Sabre, Galileo, and Worldspan to access extensive inventories of flights, hotels, and other travel services.
Interfaces for OTAs: Provision of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) or web services for integration with online travel agencies such as Expedia, Booking.com, Airbnb, and others to enable bookings through their platforms.
Inventory synchronization: Automated synchronization of inventory data between the own software or platform and the GDS-/OTA systems to keep availabilities, prices, and booking information up-to-date.
Price and availability checking: Real-time checking of prices and availabilities for flights, hotels, and other travel services across the connected GDS and OTA systems.
Booking processing: Processing bookings through the GDS and OTA platforms, including reservations, payment processing, and sending booking confirmations to customers.
Multichannel distribution: Support for distribution across various channels, including direct bookings through the own website as well as through GDS and OTA partner platforms.
Process automation: Automation of booking and billing processes to increase efficiency and minimize human errors.
Reporting and analysis: Provision of reports and analysis tools for monitoring booking activities, revenues, customer preferences, and other performance metrics.