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What is a GDS Anyway?

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Let’s start with the basics. A Global Distribution System (GDS) is like the ultimate travel matchmaker — connecting travel suppliers (airlines, hotels, car rentals) with travel sellers (agencies, OTAs, TMCs). It’s the tech backbone that powers the travel industry.

Here's how a GDS works:

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Search

A travel agent enters a query — say, flights from NYC to London. 
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Book

The GDS finds the best options, confirms availability, and books it.
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Service

Need to change a seat, cancel, or rebook? The GDS handles that too. 

So, how does travelport work?So, how does travelport work?

Travelport is a GDS — but we’re not just any GDS. We’re a modern, AI-powered platform built for today’s travel industry.
Travelport is a GDS — but we’re not just any GDS. We’re a modern, AI-powered platform built for today’s travel industry.

Travelport+
A Modern Retailing Platform

Everything runs on Travelport+, our modern retailing platform that brings together:

Multi-source content

(air, hotel, car, rail, NDC, LCCs, and more)

Modern API's

for seamless integration

Retailing tools

to help you sell smarter 

Servicing capablities

to manage bookings with ease

Multi-source content

(air, hotel, car, rail, NDC, LCCs, and more)

Modern API's

for seamless integration

Retailing tools

to help you sell smarter 

Servicing capablities

to manage bookings with ease

Whether you’re using our Smartpoint Desktop, Smartpoint Cloud, or connecting via APIs, Travelport+ gives you one powerful way to search, book, and service travel content. 
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Where does the content come from?

We partner with global suppliers to bring you the best content — and we do it in a smarter way:

  • Traditional GDS content via EDIFACT and using fares filed in ATPCO  
  • API content via NDC and modern airline APIs  
  • Hotel and car traditional GDS content along, with additional aggregated content for hotel and rail  
  • Non-GDS tools like Deem for corporate travel and advertising tools for suppliers  
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All of it flows into our  Content Curation Layer, which normalizes, enriches, and displays content in a clean, consistent format — so agents can shop and compare with confidence. 
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Why Travelport+? Here's the value

More efficiency, more control  

With Travelport+, you get one smart platform — powered by AI — that brings together all the content you need, including NDC. That means fewer errors, faster workflows, and more control over your revenue and operations.  

Better experiences, bigger edge  

Innovation moves fast — and so do we. Travelport helps you deliver smoother, smarter experiences for your customers, giving you a competitive edge that keeps you ahead of the curve.  

Support that’s actually supportive  

From day one, we’ve got your back. Our onboarding is hands-on, our training is tailored, and our support teams are always ready to help your business (and your people) thrive.  

Who benefits?

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Travel agents

Faster workflows, better content, happier customers.
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Suppliers

Greater reach, better merchandising, smarter distribution.
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Travellers

More choice, better service, smoother journeys.

StoriesStories

eDreams ODIGEO shares how it’s using Travelport+ to operate its pioneering, engage five million travelers, and unlock further global growth.
eDreams ODIGEO shares how it’s using Travelport+ to operate its pioneering, engage five million travelers, and unlock further global growth.
Read Case Study
Modern retailing, amplified Easier, faster , smarter
Contact our sales team to find out more
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