GDS - Rate Bidding Season

Corporate & Consortia 'rate bidding season' runs from late June through to late September. The RFP process is where global businesses and Travel Agent groups (consortia) negotiate rates with hotels for the following year.

The intent is for travel agents and corporations to reduce and manage their business spend by booking preferred hotels at preferred rates.

Consortia (and negotiated corporate rates) remain important revenue sources for hotels at major destinations worldwide.

Every year bidding for consortia starts late June and closes with most major Travel Agent buying groups in late September each year.

2 major reasons for hotels to participate in Consortia Programs and negotiated corporate rates are to:

1. Increased revenue

2. Marketing and advertising opportunities through corporate newsletters, incentives and direct mailings from the consortia.

Hotels that want to increase their corporate business contract should ensure participating with consortia. After signing the contract with the consortia group, it is then important to ensure your agreed rates are loaded on the appropriate GDS channels.

Examples of Consortia are shown below courtesy Travel Weekly 2016.