As the SiteMinder report confirms, access to third-party distribution channels is still the leading revenue generator for the hospitality industry.

The excellent news for our clients is that Merlin Software launched an API with Pegasus (TravelTripper), one of the largest Global Distribution Systems (GDS), over a year ago. And it’s proving to be a great success for the clients who are accessing this functionality.

Live rates and availability are sent from the resort’s Merlin Software property management system (PMS) directly to the GDS and online booking websites via a channel manager.

The even better news is that in the coming months, an API will be completed between Merlin Software and SiteMinder. This will give Merlin clients even greater distribution choice for their inventory.

So, who is Pegasus? 

Pegasus is the largest processor for electronic hotel transactions and offers distribution services to about 100,000 hotels worldwide. They pioneered the hospitality reservations industry.

Today, the company is a market leader in the electronic processing, management, distribution, sales and marketing of hotel inventory, rates and content across different sales channels. This includes direct bookings via hotels’ branded websites, voice, travel agents (GDS), OTAs and metasearch partners.

Its function is the connection between a Property Management System such as Merlin Software (or another CRS) and the GDS through a product called ‘Seamless Interface’ (also known as Next Generation Seamless).

What does a GDS do?

A GDS offers rate management tools, including dynamic pricing rules, geographic pricing and integrated price checking with online travel agencies. 

Notably, a GDS is a worldwide conduit between travel bookers and suppliers, such as hotels and other accommodation providers. It communicates live product, price and availability data to travel agents and online booking engines and allows for automated transactions.

I haven’t heard the term GDS before

The term GDS goes back to the 1970s, when the airline industry primarily developed and used the technology. You may have heard of Amadeus, Galileo and Sabre? These are legacy GDS.

What functionality does SiteMinder offer?

SiteMinder provides complete hotel distribution and representation through its GDS and channel manager functionality. It offers seamless integration to the Merlin property management system that eliminates manual data entry and double bookings.

The SiteMinder channel manager connects resorts through Merlin’s property management system to over 400 booking channels and 100+ apps. Clients can automate the continuous exchange of rates, availability and reservations between the PMS and selected channels. This eliminates time spent manually updating each of your channel extranets.

What should I do next?

If you are looking to increase your inventory distribution, contact Mark Thomas at markt@quickmerlin.com and arrange an online demonstration of our API with Pegasus’ GDS. 

If you’re interested in increasing your bookings directly from your website, Mark will also be able to demo the Merlin Rental WebApp.