GDS, the fastest growing hotel booking channel in 2024
Why the Global Distribution Systems are entering a new era of accelerated growth.
Read articleReach new guests
We make GDS work for independent hotels
With reconline, your hotel connects seamlessly to Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport — reaching high-value corporate and leisure travelers without the usual complexity or cost.
Check your GDS booking potentialWhat are the GDS?
The platforms behind 350 million trips — and your next booking
Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport — the Global Distribution Systems — have powered global travel for over 30 years, connecting airlines, hotels, and travel sellers in a single worldwide network.
Fueled by a rebound in corporate travel and rising leisure demand, GDS hotel bookings are projected to grow 125% by 2030* — offering independent hotels a reliable source of high-value bookings.
- For hotels, this means direct access to the platforms where corporations, travel agencies, and high-value travelers plan and book their stays.
- It's where millions of room nights are sold each year — and where independent hotels can compete successfully with the world's biggest brands.
* Skift Research "Hotel Distribution Outlook 2024"
Why it matters
The fastest-growing hotel channel you've probably overlooked
GDS bookings are quietly driving the hotel industry's post-pandemic recovery — up 13.5% in 2024, with an 11% increase in R/N and 2.4% growth in ADR*. And the pace is set to accelerate over the next five years.
- Corporate travel is back: more companies are reinstating managed travel programs and requiring policy-compliant bookings.
- Bleisure is booming: 30–40% of business trips now include leisure extensions (Amadeus data).
- Affluent leisure demand: nearly 30% of GDS bookings now come from high-spending leisure travelers (Amadeus, Sabre).
- High ROI channel: with a lower cost per acquisition than OTAs, GDS distribution delivers one of the strongest returns — second only to direct bookings.
*Knowland & Amadeus Hospitality "Group & Business Performance Index 2024"
How it works
From setup to first bookings in just ten days
Getting started with GDS distribution is simpler than you think. With reconline, your hotel can be live and bookable across the major GDS within days.
1
Set up your hotel
Spend about 30-minutes completing your profile and selecting your channel manager.
2
We connect you
We integrate directly with your channel manager to sync your rates, availability, and inventory across all GDS.
3
Go live
Within ten days, your hotel is listed in Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport — ready to receive high-value bookings.
Why reconline
GDS distribution built for independent hotels
For over 20 years, reconline has helped independent hotels access the power of the Global Distribution Systems — without the complexity or high costs faced by big brands.
- No upfront costs. No risk. Pay only when you receive bookings — no setup fees, no monthly minimums, no surprises.
- Works with your existing system. Over 80 channel manager integrations mean you can go live fast — no new tech required.
- Automated commission handling. Travel agent commissions are processed automatically through Onyx CenterSource — no manual work, no delays.
- Service first. Real people, real support — guaranteed within 24 hours.
What hotels gain
More reach, better guests, higher returns
Connecting to the GDS unlocks visibility across thousands of travel agencies, corporate booking tools, and TMCs — the networks where high-value bookings happen. Independent hotels gain access to business and premium leisure travelers they can't reach elsewhere.
- Global reach: appear in front of millions of travel advisors and corporate bookers worldwide.
- Quality guests: attract higher-spending, lower-cancellation travelers who book longer stays.
- Steady demand: capture a growing share of premium leisure and bleisure bookings year-round.
- Balanced distribution: build a more sustainable booking mix and reduce reliance on OTAs.
Plug & play
Works with your channel manager
With 80+ channel manager integrations, reconline connects seamlessly to your existing setup — no new systems, no remapping, no complexity.
Automated commission payments
Commission payments handled for you
Just one payment to reconline — we take care of all travel agent payouts through Onyx CenterSource. Fast, accurate, and hands-off.
What our clients say
Independent hotels. Proven results.
Here's what hoteliers say about working with reconline:
"The reconline setup was incredibly smooth—our GDS connection was live before we knew it."
Hotel Stadtgarten
Vienna, Austria
"Reconline works like a charm with our channel manager, keeping rates and inventory perfectly in sync."
The Regent Harbour Hotel
Copenhagen, Denmark
"Their support team is impressively fast—most of our questions are solved within minutes."
Hotel Vista Azul
Barcelona, Spain
"No more manual travel-agent commission payments—reconline has saved us countless hours every month."
Palm Grove Resort
Phuket, Thailand
"Our negotiated rates were loaded within 24 hours, allowing us to start selling immediately."
The Royal Meridian
Cape Town, South Africa
"We love how reconline guides us through every step of the RFP process so we never miss a deadline."
Lakewood Executive Suites
Chicago, USA
"The extremely friendly reconline team has been supporting us for years—they feel like part of our own staff."
Hotel Couronne
Zermatt, Switzerland
FAQ
Your questions. Our answers.
GDS bookings come from professional travel agents and travel management companies, while OTAs are used directly by consumers. GDS guest typically book earlier, stasy longer, and cancel less often. Your hotel appears under its own brand in the GDS, and stays can be pre-paid via credit-card or paid directly at the property.
Most GDS bookings come from business travelers using self-booking tools or the service of travel management companies. Increasingly, leisure travelers also use travel agents connected to the GDS for tailor-made journeys and premium stays. These guests tend to book earlier, stay longer, and spend more on average than OTA guests.
Yes. Your GDS rates, availability, and restrictions are managed directly through your existing channel manager, just like your OTA and direct channels. Any updates you make there are automatically reflected in the GDS.
There are no setup fees or monthly minimums. You pay only a small service and transaction fee, along with the travel agent commission - and only for the actualized bookings.
Guests pay their stay directly at your hotel. Each month, we'll invoice you for the Service Fee, GDS Transaction Fee, and any travel agent commission from stays completed in the previous month. You pay only for actualized bookings.
All travel agent commissions are paid automatically on your behalf through our partner Onyx CenterSource, once you have paid our invoice. Payments are processed promptly and accurately, so agents are paid on time - and you don't have to handle any commission settlements yourself.
No. Our standard agreement runs for just 12 months and renews annually. There are no long-term commitments or multi-year contracts - giving you full flexibility to continue only as long as it works for your hotel.
GDS Insights
From our blog
Learn how GDS distribution helps independent hotels grow their reach and revenue.
Get started
Check if GDS is right for your hotel
Not every hotel has booking potential in the GDS — that's why we check it first. Tell us a bit about your property, and we'll assess your GDS potential, prepare a tailored proposal, and outline the next steps to get you connected.