Lecture Vlog: Errline Global Distribution System

Introduction

• Speaker: Sir Jade
• Topic: Errline Global Distribution System (GDS)
• Subject: Applied Business Tools and Technologies
• Learning Objectives:
  • Define Global Distribution System
  • Explain how GDS works for travel agents
  • Provide examples of booking facilitation done by an airline GDS

What is a Global Distribution System (GDS)?

• Definition:
  • A computerized network system providing services for:
    • Airlines
    • Hotels
    • Car rental companies
    • Travel agencies
• History:
  • Initially set up for airlines, later expanded to other travel services
  • Originated by American Airlines
• Functionality:
  • Allows users to purchase tickets from multiple providers

Types of GDS

• Various GDS are operated by different companies globally
• GDS connects travel agencies with multiple travel sectors:
  • Airlines
  • Hotels
  • Car rentals

How Does GDS Work?

• Real-time Inventory Management:
  • GDS provides real-time records of available services
  • Examples include:
    • Available hotel rooms
    • Available flight seats
    • Available rental cars
• GDS links services, rates, and bookings across travel sectors
  • Allows travel agents to check availability and make reservations

GDS vs. Computer Reservation System (CRS)

• GDS is a network of various computer reservation systems (CRS)
• GDS does not hold inventory; it provides access to vendor databases

GDS and Travel Agents

• Primary customers of GDS are travel agents (both online and office-based)
• GDS enables agents to quickly access services and rates that fit clients' needs
• Examples of GDS platforms:
  • Amadeus
  • Galileo
  • Sabre
  • WorldSpan

Benefits of Using GDS

• Centralizes multiple travel services into one platform
• Facilitates quick booking of flights, hotels, car rentals, and more
• Alerts agents about limited-time sales and promotional packages

Major GDS Providers

• Amadeus:
  • Most widely used globally
  • Connects to 490 airlines
• Sabre:
  • Originated with American Airlines
  • Partners with various airlines and hotel chains
• Travelport:
  • Home to Galileo, Worldspan, and other GDS

Regional GDS

• Examples include:
  • SITA (Japan)
  • INFINI (Japan)
  • TOPA (Korea)
  • Sabre Pacific

GDS Services Provided by Travel Agencies

• Travel agencies offer:
  • Car rentals
  • Hotel bookings
  • Package tours
  • Cruise bookings
  • Railway tickets

Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)

• Examples: Expedia, which utilizes GDS for inventory access
• OTAs do not have direct access to GDS; they use XML for bookings

Passenger Name Record (PNR)

• Definition: A record in the CRS containing travel itinerary information
• Important for tracking interline agreements between airlines

Problems Before GDS

• Individual connections to airlines required
• Travel agents had to be trained on various mainframe systems
• Tedious process of combining airline inventories

Conclusion

• GDS revolutionized the travel industry by simplifying access to multiple services
• Travel agencies now rely heavily on GDS for efficient service delivery

Questions

• Encouragement for students to comment with questions

Closing

• Thank you for attending and reminder to subscribe to Sir Jade's channel.