Hotel Rates on the Rise for GDS Bookings

For the first time since the economy took a nosedive, hotel average daily rates booked by travel agencies in both the corporate and leisure travel sectors are remaining steady or growing, according to Pegasus Solutions Inc. As a result, hoteliers, even those in leisure markets, are no longer feeling they have to trade deep discounts for reasonable occupancy.

GDS bookings worldwide realized a year-on-year increase of 6.3% in average daily rate in June. Outside North America, the month of June edged out May for the highest ADR growth this year, at 7.5%. Meanwhile, the pace of booking volumes in June for alternative distribution systems – primarily online travel agencies – eased from May levels, and ADR for the channel did not budge.

Premier Inn to Distribute through Amadeus

Amadeus signed a distribution agreement with Premier Inn, the largest hotel chain in the U.K. and Ireland, that will allow 580 of the chain’s properties to be booked through the Amadeus GDS. The deal will enable Premier Inn to expand its distribution beyond its domestic markets, focus on leisure travel from key markets such as France, Spain, Italy and Germany and attract more business travelers worldwide.

Malaysia Air Implements ETAT in Vietnam

Malaysia Airlines implemented Abacus International’s Electronic Transitional Automated Ticketing platform in Vietnam. The move enables the Asian GDS’s travel agency subscribers in Vietnam to issue the carrier’s e-tickets. Malaysia Airlines earlier implemented the ETAT platform in Brunei and Myanmar.