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Global Distribution
System (GDS) Connectivity Frequently Asked Questions
What are GDS / ODD?
GDS / ODD are connectivity modules which allow hotels to connect with
Travel Agents and Online Customers.
GDS
(Global Distribution System) reaches 300,000+ IATA registered
travel agents powered by four networks: Sabre, Amadeus, Worldspan and
Galileo; the same reservations systems used to connect with the
airlines.
Pegasus
ODD
(Online
Distribution Database) connects 100’s of Internet travel portals
or OTA's (online travel agents) such as Orbitz, TravelNow, Expedia, and
Hotwire.
Partner hotels easily keep up-to-date GDS / ODD room inventory and
rates, and any travel agent or online customer can retrieve real time
rates and room inventory and book instantly via GDS and ODD networks.
Each booking is confirmed within seconds and transactions are
transmitted to hotels immediately.
How does it work?
Your property’s information including rates and inventory are loaded
into both the GDS and ODD networks. From here, many online travel
portals retrieve your property information and display it in the search
results. Travel agents primarily log into one of the four GDS systems
to retrieve your property information. Furthermore, many online travel
portals also retrieve your property information from one of these four
systems e.g. Travelocity exclusively retrieves your property
information from Sabre.
Why do I need the
GDS / ODD connection for my property?
The GDS / ODD system is used by travel agents and online customers all
over the world to book rooms directly to your hotel. This module will
promote your property globally 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Furthermore, it will create incremental business opportunities for you
that would be much harder to handle without this connection.
Why is our GDS /
ODD module different?
Using a single administrative area, partner properties can easily
manage all of the inventor and rates for the GDS / ODD system. This
allows travel agents and online customers to view the most up to the
minute rates and availability. GDS gives travel agents confidence in
the accuracy of the information they provide to their clients and
shortens the time necessary to book your hotel. The GDS / ODD module
enables your inventory to be viewed globally and positioned well with
competing properties for reservations; this increases the likelihood a
travel agent or online customer will book your hotel.
Will the GDS
connection integrate to my existing AccomPro account?
Yes, OnRes Systems is currently working to bridge AccomPro with the GDS
/ ODD connectivity module where you will be able to manage your
inventory and rates in the same Inventory and Rate Manager windows.
Here, you will be able to set the inventory for the GDS system,
separate from the inventory on your website and set your own pricing
for the inventory you allocate to the GDS system. AccomPro will clearly
show which rooms are assigned to your website and which rooms are sold
via the GDS system. In the meantime however, your GDS rates and
inventory need to be managed through a separate easy to navigate
web-based application.
What does it cost
me?
Pricing for the GDS / ODD integration is low-cost application based on
an initial set-up fee, a very small monthly minimum charge, and per
transaction fees. Please contact us for more details and information
How long does it
take to set up the connection?
You will receive a link to a website which acts as a “property load”
form. This online form captures all of the “static” information about
your property such and amenities and pictures which feeds your
information to the GDS and ODD networks; this is a one-time process.
Secondly, you will be given a login to manage the number of rooms you
want to allocate and set the rates on an ongoing basis. Your property
can be loaded onto the 4 GDS engines instantly by it can take 3-5
weeks for you information to fully propagate through to all of the OTA
websites.
Do I need to make
changes to my website to be able to connect to the GDS?
No, you do not need to make changes to your website; the integration
takes place seamlessly behind the scenes.
How do I get the
GDS connection?
Simply contact an OnRes GDS Specialist today by calling us toll free in
North America at 1-866-687-7057 or 1.604.484.2483 or by clicking here.
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