The global distribution system (GDS) continues to perform for independent accommodation providers with reservations up 34.5% in the past year and up 4.2% on 2019 pre-pandemic levels, according to the Independent Accommodation Insights Report from HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts.
HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts, a hotel representation company, found thet GDS reservations have grown 51.2% vs. a decade ago (2014). Favored by travel agents and travel management companies (TMCs), the GDS was one of the first channels to rebound after the pandemic, demonstrating the channels’ value and commercial opportunity, according to the company.
The report also found direct booking continues to experience high growth rates—up 22.5% in 2023 vs. 2022, and strengthening by 80.2% against its pre-pandemic standing. For HotelREZ clients, mobile direct booking has more than doubled since 2019—up from 15% of all direct bookings to 32% in 2023.
Channel Connect is the company’s alternative to a channel manager, allowing the central reservations system (CRS) to connect properties to more than 600 premium travel websites. Channel Connect reservations increased 39.5% year-on-year, 63% vs. 2019 pre-pandemic levels and up +4,609% vs. 2014.
“The way hotels and aparthotels find and secure their sales has vastly changed in the last 20 years,” said Mark Lewis, CEO/founder, HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts. “Direct booking on a property’s own website accounts for around a third of all bookings, with OTAs about half that. The GDS is often—incorrectly—regarded as a relic of travel booking. Yet, our booking data shows the GDS has been experiencing consistent growth in the last 10 years and is the dominant booking channel, straddling both leisure and corporate business.”
The report noted numerous post-pandemic trends which contributed to increased bookings and usage of the GDS, including a stronger SME corporate market; larger TMCs dominating the market; and growth in third-party GDS self-booking tools and home-working leisure travel agencies.
“The GDS drives high value bookings thanks to the relationships between travel advisors and their buyers,” said Daniel Simmons, CCO, HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts. “The pandemic highlighted the importance of having an expert handling your booking if something goes wrong within procurement, CSR and sustainability control. Post-pandemic, we’re seeing more business travelers restricted by corporate social responsibility guidelines and increased need for bill-back facilities. Using the expertise of agents and having access to self-booking tools is a preferred option for the corporate booker rather than using a public OTA.”
