GDS Hotel Bookings Drop, Revenue Still Climbing

　　According to the latest data from Pegasus, hotel ookings eased off levels from January 2011, a month that realized robust double-digit margins over 2010 for both GDS and ADS channels. In January 2012, global corporate bookings dropped -1.6% while leisure bookings fell -5.0%. Yet thanks to higher ADR revenue is still healthy and climbing.

　　January 2012 hotel bookings through global distribution system channels decreased 1.6 percent compared with the previous year but still represent a "strong and steadfast volume" for corporate travel, according to Pegasus Solutions.

　　January 2011 GDS bookings had increased about 28 percent compared with the prior year, and this year"s decrease was lower than the 3.4 percent year-over-year drop in bookings reported for December 2011.

　　"Now that the holidays are behind us and conferences are beginning to ramp up again, it is encouraging that strong reservation activity is maintained and that traction has been made against prior year since last month," according to Pegasus.

　　The firm projected a similar pattern for the coming months, with volumes staying near last year"s levels through April and possibly growing from May.

　　The January 2012 average daily hotel rate booked through GDSs increased 3.8 percent year over year, and Pegasus projected additional growth through May. "Consistently rising rates illustrate further evidence of corporate travel"s vitality and its capacity to carry on as the brawn behind industry"s recovery," according to Pegasus.

　　Specifically in North America, January GDS bookings were down 2 percent year over year, and the average daily rate jumped by 7 percent. Bookings in Europe were down by 3.9 percent and ADR was up by 1.4 percent. South America was the only region to see an increase in GDS bookings, up 3.2 percent coupled with an 8.1 percent ADR increase. January GDS bookings in Africa, Asia and Oceania nearly were flat, and ADR decreased by 1.6 percent.