What Is A Global Distribution System (GDS)? A global distribution system, or GDS, is a computer network used by travel businesses and other distributors to book airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and other travel-related services. A GDS is actually a reservation system for the travel industry, and it’s used by hotels, airlines, tour operators, and other businesses in the tourism section. Think of it as the middle man – connecting a hotel’s reservation system and the travel representative. A travel representative can gain information, such as real-time rates and room availability, through the GDS. Then when a travel representative makes a booking, the GDS will send this information to the hotel’s booking system to make sure that it is accurately updated.
