Guidance
for Your
Digital Hotel
Distribution

01 What is a GDS (Global Distribution System)?

A GDS is a global distribution system that distributes hotel rooms, flights, and other travel services to travel agencies and business travel platforms. Hotels can use GDS networks to make their properties bookable internationally.

02 Who uses a GDS?

More than 3.5 million travel agency agents and corporate travel offices worldwide book directly through GDS systems. In addition, numerous programs access hotel data in the GDS through multi-sourcing.

03 Are GDS systems still relevant in 2026?

GDS systems remain an important distribution channel in the international hotel market in 2026. More than 3.5 million travel agency agents and corporate travel offices worldwide use GDS systems for hotel bookings. Current market data also shows that GDS bookings grew by more than 14% between 2023 and 2025, driven in particular by rising demand in the business travel segment.

04 Which hotels benefit from using GDS?

GDS is particularly worthwhile for hotels with an international guest mix and a high proportion of business travelers. City hotels, larger properties, and hotels with strong business travel demand especially benefit from an additional presence in global distribution systems.

Through GDS, hotels can reach travel agencies, corporate clients, and business travel platforms worldwide, thereby generating additional demand. Whether a GDS connection makes sense for your hotel depends, among other things, on your target groups, location, and distribution strategy.

We would be happy to analyze the potential for your hotel and advise you on the most suitable options.

05 Which GDS systems are available?

The most important global GDS providers are:

• Amadeus (primarily bookings from Europe)
• Sabre (primarily bookings from the Americas)
• Travelport (primarily bookings from the UK, North America, and Australia)

06 Can my hotel use GDS?

In principle, hotels of different sizes and categories can benefit from a GDS connection. Whether GDS is suitable for your hotel depends in particular on your guest mix and distribution strategy.

We would be happy to review the requirements and potential for your hotel together with you.

07 Why is the potential of GDS often underestimated?

Many hotels focus more strongly on OTAs because they do not fully understand GDS systems, perceive them as technically more complex, and associate them primarily with business travel. Through our consulting services, we provide hotels with extensive expertise on creating a high-quality GDS listing.

08 Can I manage availability and rates directly through GDS?

Availability, rates, and restrictions are generally maintained through your PMS or a channel manager and automatically transferred to the connected GDS systems. This keeps your data centrally managed and up to date across all systems.

09 Are GDS systems also relevant for leisure and MICE hotels?

Hotels focusing on leisure or MICE guests can also benefit from a GDS connection. International travel agencies and corporate clients frequently use GDS systems to book hotels for business trips or events.

10 What added value does GDS offer as an additional distribution channel?

Global Distribution Systems (GDS) add another international channel to a hotel’s distribution mix. Hotels can expand their reach, access new booking sources, and strengthen their visibility in the business travel segment.

Unlike many other distribution channels, GDS provides access to a worldwide network of travel agencies, corporate clients, and business travel platforms. This enables hotels to generate additional demand and expand their distribution strategy in a targeted way.

11 What costs are involved in a GDS connection?

The cost of a GDS connection depends on various factors, such as the existing systems and the desired distribution setup. We would be happy to advise you individually and develop a suitable solution for your hotel.

12 What commissions apply to GDS bookings?

The level of commission for GDS bookings depends on various factors, including the distribution partners and booking setup. We would be happy to explain the available models and framework conditions for your hotel in a personal consultation.

13 What analyses and reports do I receive from QR?

QR provides hotels with evaluations and analyses of GDS bookings, distribution, and performance. Hotels also receive reports on the results of their GDS marketing campaigns, giving them a clearer overview of visibility and optimization potential within their distribution activities.

14 How long does GDS implementation take for my hotel?

The duration of a GDS implementation depends on various factors, including the existing systems, technical requirements, and the scope of the desired connection. Throughout the implementation process, QR supports your hotel from initial setup to successful activation in the GDS.

We would be happy to explain the expected effort and implementation process for your hotel.

15 Can GDS be connected to my PMS?

A GDS connection can be established through existing interfaces or a channel manager linked to the current PMS. The specific implementation depends on the available interfaces and the technical requirements of the respective system.

We would be happy to assess the connection options for your PMS and advise you on the most suitable integration approach for your hotel.

16 What should I consider when deciding whether to use GDS?

Before deciding to use GDS, hotels should clearly define their target groups and distribution strategy. GDS is particularly relevant in the international business travel segment and can generate additional demand through travel agencies and corporate clients.

Other important factors include the existing system landscape, such as the PMS and channel manager, the available technical integration options, and internal distribution processes. Ongoing support and analysis of GDS performance also play a central role in long-term success.

We would be happy to help you assess the relevance of GDS for your hotel and develop the right distribution strategy.

17 Are all relevant guest data transferred to my PMS?

Through QR’s connection to your PMS, booking and guest data can generally be transferred automatically. Depending on the system, this may include reservation data, booking details, and other relevant information for hotel operations.

The exact scope of the transferred data depends on the technical interfaces of the respective PMS and the selected system configuration.

We would be happy to review the options for your system and advise you on the best integration into your existing system landscape.

01 Is my PMS or channel manager compatible with the QR Booking Engine?

The QR Booking Engine can be connected to many commonly used PMS and channel manager systems via interfaces. We would be happy to assess individually whether integration with your existing system is possible and which interfaces can be used.

02 How do the website and Booking Engine work together?

The Booking Engine is integrated directly into the hotel website and serves as the central component for direct bookings. Guests remain on the hotel website throughout the entire booking process and can view availability, rates, and rooms in real time.

Thanks to the seamless integration, content, rates, and availability are automatically transferred from the connected systems, ensuring a consistent and up-to-date booking experience. Additional services and offers can also be displayed and booked directly during the booking process.

01 What can I expect from QR as a partner?

QR sees itself as a long-term partner for hotels in distribution and digital hotel sales. The focus is on close collaboration based on personal support, industry expertise, and practical consulting.

QR not only provides technical support during implementation, but also offers strategic guidance for the continued development of distribution and booking processes.
The goal is a collaborative partnership focused on sustainable success in hotel distribution.

02 What services does QR offer hotels?

QR offers hotels an integrated range of solutions for digital hotel distribution. These include services in distribution, direct booking, marketing, and technological system connections.

In distribution, QR supports hotels in connecting to GDS systems and other international distribution channels. For direct bookings, QR provides solutions such as the Booking Engine, which can be integrated into existing hotel websites and helps optimize the booking process.

QR also offers marketing solutions to increase visibility and demand, as well as technology extensions such as PMS integrations, payment solutions, and AI-powered applications such as Reserv.AI.

The goal is to provide hotels with a centralized, efficiently connected distribution and system landscape.

03 Will I receive an individual solution for my hotel?

QR provides hotel solutions for distribution, booking journeys, and direct bookings. These solutions are adapted and connected to the hotel’s individual requirements and existing systems. This enables hotels to make their distribution processes more efficient and increase direct bookings in a targeted way.

04 Which technologies and systems does QR use?

QR works with a range of technologies and systems across PMS, CRS, channel management, GDS, and booking engines. Through more than 150 connected property management systems, bookings, availability, rates, and booking conditions can be synchronized and managed centrally.

QR also uses solutions for the centralized management of distribution channels, direct bookings, and hotel content such as text, images, and prices. These are complemented by analytics and reporting functions designed to optimize distribution, visibility, and sales strategy.

As a technology partner of Àven Hospitality, QR uses scalable systems and platforms to ensure hotels are bookable worldwide and to support their distribution and digital sales performance.

05 Can I keep my existing hotel website?

Existing hotel websites can continue to be used and combined with QR’s solutions. QR integrates the Booking Engine directly into the hotel website to enable direct bookings while also promoting targeted upselling opportunities.

06 What time and cost benefits does QR offer hotels?

QR helps hotels automate and streamline distribution and booking processes. Centralized management of distribution, booking journeys, and system connections can reduce manual effort and simplify day-to-day hotel operations. This can create potential time and cost savings in operational distribution.

07 How does QR support revenue (RevPAR) and occupancy management?

QR supports hotels with solutions for distribution, direct bookings, and centralized management of distribution channels. Greater visibility, access to additional sources of demand, and optimized booking processes can help hotels increase occupancy and unlock additional revenue potential.

08 Will I have a dedicated contact person at QR?

QR places great importance on personal, long-term support for its hotel partners. Dedicated contacts are available for questions relating to distribution, booking journeys, direct bookings, marketing, and sales. Regular communication and close collaboration give hotels the benefit of short communication paths, personal service, and individual advice.

09 Which payment solutions does QR support?

QR supports connections to various payment providers and payment solutions for hotel distribution. In addition to existing payment integrations, Aven Pay offers a modern, integrated payment solution that can be seamlessly incorporated into the booking journey. This enables hotels to offer guests secure and convenient payment options directly within the booking process.

We would be happy to advise you on the available payment solutions and the right connection for your hotel.

10 What marketing services does QR offer hotels?

QR supports hotels with targeted marketing measures designed to increase visibility, reach, and demand. These include various marketing packages and distribution campaigns that help hotels strengthen their presence in relevant booking channels and generate additional bookings.

The measures can be tailored to the goals and requirements of each hotel and provide targeted support for its distribution and direct booking strategy.

We would be happy to advise you on the most suitable marketing and distribution options for your hotel.

11 Where is QR active and represented as a company?

QR regularly attends industry events, trade fairs, and networking events in the hospitality sector. The team can usually be found at exhibition stands or speaking directly with hoteliers and partners to present solutions relating to hotel sales, distribution, and digitalization, and to discuss individual questions.

Personal contact therefore takes place not only digitally, but also face to face at industry events.

Current dates and events are listed in the QR event calendar.

12 How can I follow QR online and gain insights?

QR is active on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook, where it regularly shares insights into hotel sales, distribution, and digitalization. Content includes current industry developments, insights into projects with partner hotels, and impressions from events and day-to-day company life. QR also publishes a regular industry newsletter covering current developments and relevant topics in the hospitality sector.

This helps you stay up to date with QR’s activities and trends in hotel distribution.