GDS, OTA, and Metasearch Engines - What is the difference?
HomeGDS, OTA, and Metasearch Engines - What is the difference?
Travel
There’s a lot of jargon in this industry and it can be very confusing for the uninitiated! We explore how they differ and how it affects your travel distribution strategy.
Are you planning to enter the travel industry? it's important to understand what is GDS (Global Distribution System) CRS (Computer Reservation System) OTA (Online Travel Agents) Travel Meta Search Engines and their differences.
From travel meta search engines to OTAs to CRS and GDS, we’ll explain the difference and how you can use them in your distribution mix.
1. Global Distribution System (GDS) - Connect to Travel Agencies and Corporations Worldwide
GDS is a worldwide "Global Distribution System" computerized reservation network used as a single point of access for accommodating airline seats, hotel rooms, rental cars, and other travel-related items by travel agents, online reservation sites, and large corporations.
Global distribution systems (GDSs) are the travel industry data networks that connect service providers (airlines, hotels, cruises, car rental companies, tour companies) with travel agents.
The GDS mainly uses real-time inventory to service providers. Travel agencies traditionally relied on GDS for services, products, and rates in order to provide travel-related services to the end consumers.
There are three important GDS systems: Travelport (Galileo, Apollo, Worldspan), Amadeus and Sabre.
Three Important GDS Systems are:
Amadeus
Sabre
Travelport (Galileo, Apollo, Worldspan)
2. Central Reservation System (CRS)
A CRS, also known as a Central Reservation System or Computer Reservation System, allows users to manage reservations for all properties in their group from one central location. Manage your inventory, rates, yield calendars, reservations through a unified, single platform, industry leading central reservation platform.
Central Reservation System (CRS) is indispensable software for hotels and every fast-developing accommodation facility, aimed at maximal customer engagement and reservation management in a single system.
Managing all your reservations in one place with a Central Reservation System (CRS) is essential for all hotel, B&B and self-catering industries. It allows you to track all the information from a single dashboard. Single location for rate, inventory and bookings management.
CRS System is easy to implement solution is ideal for small chains and independent hotels and offers its own content management module to support advanced merchandising capabilities for your booking engine.
Benefits of CRS System:
Keep Track Of Reservations
Save Time and Increase Profits
Increase Your Occupancy Rate
3. Online Travel Agents (OTA)
OTA stands for "Online Travel Agency" plays a significant role in the travel industry. Online Travel Agency System is a well functional solution and a sophisticated management tool for travel activities and the online booking system.
An online travel agency (OTA) is a web-based marketplace that allows consumers to research and book travel products and services, including hotels, flights, cars, tours, cruises, activities and more, directly with travel suppliers. Every day, millions of travellers around the world use OTAs to plan leisure and business travel.
At Trawex, we understand that as an OTA, being able to offer a personalized experience is what wins customers and keeps them coming back. Large Online Travel Agents also developed their own API to integrate itself with other online reservation system.
Below you will find 5 of the most significant OTAs that hotel management can consider to increase their visibility and bookings.
Top 5 OTAs
Booking.com
Expedia
Priceline
Agoda
TripAdvisor
4. Travel Metasearch Engines
Meta Search Engines are becoming important in the travel industry. Travel Metasearch Engines have quickly become an important player in the travel and hospitality industry and are rapidly becoming one of the more effective advertising options for small properties. In fact, properties that want to be competitive really should participate in metasearch.
Metasearch Engines provide customers with a time-saving approach for finding the best deals by aggregating numerous hotels, flight and other travel sources into one website. Travel Metasearch Engines specifically dedicated to displaying travel product pricing and information and are influencing the marketplace for online travel shopping and booking.
Metasearch Engines are a unique search engine that displays the current rates of many different hotels in a given destination. Metasearch Engine services usually include flights, hotels, and car rentals; some even provide packages to rival OTA’s discounted prices when booking services together.
Top Metasearch Engine:
Trivago
TripAdvisor
Kayak
Skyscanner
Wego
5. Moving The Global Travel Business Forward via These Channels
The point is, whether you choose to use multiple OTAs or GDS or CRS or a certain metasearch engine is really personal preference, and truly depends on how much digging you want to do yourself.
It is simply that, as always, the world evolves. With this evolution, we are seeing a renewed interest in technology provider approaches. By constantly innovating, Trawex is continuing to shape the future of travel technology by giving more choice and simplicity for travellers.
At Trawex, we pride ourselves on being able to connect you with all the major travel meta search engines, CRS and OTAs as well as the leading GDS channels. Whatever your size and your economy, we can help you find the right solution for your global travel business.
Get in touch to find out how we can help and bring your travel business idea to life so that you can go to market with confidence.
