Amadeus, a global leader in technology and distribution solutions for the travel and tourism industry, has announced that the number of properties in its Global Distribution System (GDS) has reached 80,000, providing a vast choice for travel agents and greater visibility for the participating hotels. Overall hotel bookings made through the Amadeus GDS during the first nine months of 2008 rose by 7.4% compared to the same period in 2007, generating close to 1.7 bn Euros for hotels using the system.

In particular, there has been a significant growth in the number of independent hotels and smaller chains joining Amadeus GDS, demonstrating Amadeus’ appeal among hoteliers not traditionally represented in a GDS. Recent additions to Amadeus GDS include over 500 hotels through Hotel-Net.it and 200 Cuban hotels through a distribution agreement with the Cuban Ministry of Tourism. Amadeus has recently signed agreements with Boscolo in Europe, Yatra in India and Derbysoft in China which will add even more non-GDS properties to the system.

‘With over 230 hotel chains represented in Amadeus, we already cater to the vast majority of a business travellers needs,’ says Jean de Durfort, Head of Distribution, Amadeus, ‘so now we have turned our focus to integrating the kind of hotel properties which lesiure travellers and SME business travellers are looking for: two- and three-star properties and independent hotels. We aim to bring the traditional strength of the Global Distribution System – high quality content with high levels of connectivity to ensure up-to-date data and reliable bookings – to the independent sector of the hotel industry which has traditionally not been represented in GDSs.’

About Amadeus
Amadeus is the chosen technology partner for providers, sellers, and buyers of travel. The company provides distribution, IT and point-of-sale solutions to help its customers adapt, grow and succeed in the fast changing travel industry. Customer groups include travel providers (airlines, hotels, car rental companies, railway companies, ferry lines, cruise lines, insurance companies and tour operators), travel sellers (travel agencies) and travel buyers (corporations and travelers). Solutions are grouped in four solution categories – Distribution & Content, Sales & e-Commerce, Business Management and Services & Consulting.

Amadeus has central sites in Madrid (corporate headquarters & marketing), Nice (development) and Erding (Operations – data processing centre) and regional offices in Miami, Buenos Aires and Bangkok. Amadeus maintains customer operations in 76 countries covering more than 215 markets. Amadeus employs over 7,800 employees worldwide, representing 95 nationalities.

More information about Amadeus is available at: www.amadeus.com