TravelClick and Phoenix Marketing International have released a new report charting the use of GDS among travel agents over the past two years. The 2015 Global Travel Agent GDS study surveyed over 900 travel agents worldwide who use Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport.
Over half of agents stated that they actively book away from hotels that do not offer their best rates within the GDS, and if there is a better rate that’s outside of the GDS, a travel agent will book through that channel.
Amenities are still driving global travel agent behavior, with complimentary breakfast and free Internet scoring the highest ratings. Among those surveyed who indicated that amenities and offers geared toward the traveler are appealing, the most appealing amenities include free breakfast meals (83 percent), special rates (77 percent), free Internet (72 percent), free upgrades (62 percent), free night stays (50 percent) and star / consumer review ratings (43 percent).