Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/gds-global-distribution-system-travel-tourism-technology

A Global Distribution System (GDS) is a software and also called as an ARS (Automated Reservation System) used to access real-time information about schedules, availability, fares and other travel formalities that enables automate reservation transactions between third parties (travel agencies/agents, corporation, airlines, airports, hotels, railways and more in order to provide travel-related multiple services like Ticketing, accommodation, transfer, and other activities, if any to the end Passenger/Tourist/Excursionist.

GDS is different from a Computer Reservations System (CRS), but a part of CRS originally designed and operated by airlines and was later extended as GDS for the use of Primary Customers “travel agents” both online and office-based to make a reservation and manage their own business more effectively. A GDS system is global in nature and heart of travel industry with a real-time link to the multiple vendor’s (Airlines, Hotels, Tourism Corporation, Airports, Railways, Transfers corporation and other activities) database.

For example, when a travel agency requests a reservation on the service of a particular airline, the GDS system routes the request to the appropriate airline computer reservations system. This enables a travel agent with a connection/tool/software to a single GDS to choose, book and serve travelers better on various services flights, hotels, railways, activities and associated services on all the vendors in the world who are part of that GDS.

GDS, the technology which keeps the travel sector moving – from initial search in making a booking, from pricing to ticketing, from managing reservations to managing check-in and departure processes and facilitate the entire travel journey experience from door-to-door for hundred millions of people.