Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Report: Independent hoteliers saw 34.5 percent surge in GDS bookings last year

GDS reservations rose 51.2 percent compared to a decade ago in 2014

Report: Independent hoteliers saw 34.5 percent surge in GDS bookings last year

INDEPENDENT HOTELS RECEIVE favorable deals via the global distribution system, according to HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts. Reservations through the GDS rose by 34.5 percent over the past year, with a 4.2 percent increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Direct booking maintained high growth rates, increasing by 22.5 percent in 2023 compared to 2022 and strengthening by 80.2 percent against its pre-pandemic standing, said HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts in its recent Independent Accommodation Insights report.


GDS reservations surged by 51.2 percent compared to a decade ago in 2014, the report added.

“The way hotels and aparthotels find and secure their sales has vastly changed in the last 20 years,” said Mark Lewis, HotelREZ founder and CEO. “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.”

HotelREZ, a UK-based hotel representational company founded in 2004, has seen a significant increase in mobile direct booking for its clients. Since 2019, mobile direct bookings have more than doubled, rising from 15 percent to 32 percent of all direct bookings by 2023, the company said.

GDS, preferred by travel agents and travel management companies, was among the first channels to rebound after the pandemic, highlighting its value and commercial opportunity, HotelREZ claimed.

“The GDS drives high value bookings thanks to the relationships between travel advisors and their buyers,” said Daniel Simmons, HotelREZ’s chief commercial officer. “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.”

Meanwhile, HotelREZ’s Channel Connect serves as the company's alternative to a channel manager, enabling the central reservations system to link properties with more than 600 travel websites, the company said. Furthermore, Channel Connect reservations increased by 39.5 percent year-on-year, marking a 63 percent increase compared to 2019 pre-pandemic levels and a remarkable growth of more than 4,609 percent compared to 2014.

The report also highlighted several post-pandemic trends that boosted bookings and GDS usage, such as a robust SME corporate market, the dominance of larger TMCs, and the rise of third-party GDS self-booking tools alongside home-working leisure travel agencies.

The World Travel & Tourism Council's 2024 Economic Impact Research recently revealed that the travel and tourism sector will contribute over $2.5 trillion to the state exchequer in 2024, constituting nearly 9 percent of the U.S. economy. Moreover, it is anticipated to employ approximately 18.8 million people nationwide, representing one in nine American workers.

More for you

U.S. Hotel Construction Hits 20-Quarter Low in June

CoStar: Hotel construction drops in June

Summary:

  • U.S. hotel rooms under construction fell year over year for the sixth straight month in June, hitting a 20-quarter low, CoStar reported.
  • About 138,922 rooms were under construction, down 11.9 percent from June 2024; the luxury segment had 6,443 rooms, up 4.1 percent year over year.
  • Lodging Econometrics recently said Dallas led all U.S. markets in hotel construction pipelines at the end of the first quarter, with 203 projects and 24,496 rooms.

THE NUMBER OF U.S. hotel rooms under construction declined year over year for the sixth straight month in June, reaching a 20-quarter low, according to CoStar. Additionally, more than half of all rooms under development are in the South, mostly outside the top 25 markets.

Keep ReadingShow less
Auro Hotels Showcases India Culture at TCMU Exhibit

Auro unveils 'India Cultural Corner' for children

Summary:

  • Auro Hotels opened the India Cultural Corner, where children can check in and explore Indian culture at The Children's Museum of the Upstate.
  • Families can engage with community art, activities and storytelling about daily life in India.
  • The exhibit runs through May 2026, offering interactive learning on Indian culture.

AURO HOTELS RECENTLY opened the India Cultural Corner at The Children's Museum of the Upstate in Greenville, South Carolina, offering a look into Indian stories for American families. The exhibition, held at The Grand Geo Hotel and running through May 2026, includes a hotel desk where children can check in and explore Indian culture through interactive activities.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. Firms Lose $2.4 Trillion by Skimping on Business Travel

Report: Business travel gaps cost U.S. firms $2.4T

Summary:

  • U.S. companies risk losing more than $2.4 trillion in sales due to underinvestment in business travel, says GBTA.
  • An 8.3 percent T&E increase could drive a 6 percent sales gain, despite post-COVID virtual meeting tools.
  • Current T&E spending is $294 billion—$24 billion short of the $319.1 billion needed for peak profitability.

U.S. COMPANIES ARE missing more than $2.4 trillion in potential sales due to underinvestment in business travel, according to a Global Business Travel Association report. Despite a post-pandemic rebound, travel and entertainment spending remains $66 billion below 2019 levels.

Keep ReadingShow less
AI threats in hospitality

Study: Cyberattacks on hotels to surge

Summary:

  • Around 66 percent of hotel IT and security executives expect more cyberattacks this summer, and 50 percent anticipate greater severity, according to VikingCloud.
  • Guest-facing systems most at risk include POS and payment technology at 72 percent, guest WiFi at 56 percent and front desk systems at 34 percent.
  • About 48 percent of executives lack confidence in their staff’s ability to detect and respond to AI-driven attacks and deepfakes.

APPROXIMATELY 66 PERCENT of hotel IT and security executives expect an increase in cyberattack frequency and 50 percent anticipate greater severity during the summer travel season, according to cybersecurity firm VikingCloud. In summer 2024, 82 percent of North American hotels experienced a cyberattack and 58 percent were targeted five or more times.

Keep ReadingShow less
Newly renovated Marriott Saddle Brook hotel in New Jersey, now managed by Stonebridge Cos.

Stonebridge to manage Marriott in Saddle Brook, NJ

Summary:

  • Stonebridge Cos. has added the Marriott Saddle Brook in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, to its full-service portfolio.
  • The renovated property is owned by Victory Worldwide LLC, led by CEO Anil Monga.
  • Located 20 miles from New York City, it is near the Meadowlands Sports Complex, Garden State Plaza and Hackensack University Medical Center.

STONEBRIDGE COS. RECENTLY added the 244-room Marriott Saddle Brook in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, to its full-service managed portfolio. The property is owned by Victory Worldwide LLC, led by CEO Anil Monga.

Keep ReadingShow less