If you have ever worked in the travel industry, you have probably heard of the Abacus reservation system, and may even have used it. In the past, almost all travel agencies in Asia relied on it to handle airline ticket reservations, hotel bookings, and even travel packages. Although it has now been fully acquired and integrated by the Sabre Group, its influence remains, especially for those who are accustomed to using it. Today, let’s talk about how the Abacus reservation system came to be and why it’s so powerful.
More GDS reservation systems：Galileo｜Amadeus
How Did the Abacus Come About? Why Is It so Powerful?
For example, suppose you are a travel agency employee in the 1990s, and a customer comes into your store wanting to book a flight from Hong Kong to Tokyo. At that time, you couldn’t book the ticket on Expedia or Skyscanner because those websites didn’t even exist yet! The only thing you could rely on was a GDS booking system like Abacus.
Through the Abacus reservation system, you can
🔹Enter the flight code to find tickets that meet the guest’s needs.
🔹Check seat availability to see if there are any seats left.
🔹Issue the ticket and confirm the itinerary to ensure that the guest can board the flight smoothly.
This process seems simple now, but back then it was the “core technology” of travel agencies!
The Origin and Development of the Abacus
Abacus was founded in 1988 by several Asian airlines with the goal of providing a reservation system that better meets the needs of the Asia-Pacific market. In 1998, Abacus partnered with the US-based Sabre Group to establish Abacus International, with Sabre providing technical support and Abacus focusing on the development of the Asia-Pacific market. This partnership enabled Abacus to acquire global technical capabilities and further strengthened its market position in the Asia-Pacific region.
However, due to fierce competition in the GDS market, by 2015, the Sabre Group had fully acquired Abacus and integrated it into its own GDS services, officially merging Abacus into the Sabre Group. Since then, although the Abacus brand has gradually been replaced by Sabre, the foundation it established in the Asia-Pacific market continues to influence the current GDS ecosystem.
Recommended reading：How can travel agencies improve operational efficiency through API integration?
Core Functions of the Abacus Reservation System
As a global distribution system (GDS) trusted by Asian travel professionals, Abacus primarily offers the following major functions:
✅Instant booking and ticketing: Before online booking existed, travel agencies relied entirely on GDS systems to process flight reservations. Abacus helps travel agencies connect with airlines around the world, providing instant flight searches and ticketing.
✅Hotel and car rental reservations: Want to book a hotel in Tokyo for your guests? No problem. With the Abacus reservation system, travel agencies can access the inventory of hotels and car rental companies around the world, allowing travelers to plan their entire trip in one place.
✅Travel packages and other additional services: Do guests want to purchase travel insurance or book local tours? Abacus also offers corresponding services, allowing travel agencies to bundle them together and sell them to guests in one go.
✅Professional training and certification: In the past, travel agency staff couldn’t just jump right in. Abacus also has official certification exams to ensure that you really know how to use the system.
Further reading:[Travel Agency Management Software] What software do travel agencies and IATA use?
How to Choose the Right Travel Agency System for You?
Suppose you are now preparing to open a travel agency that can book airline tickets and hotels, but there are so many options on the market, such as Amadeus, Sabre, and Google Flights. How should you choose?
This question is not difficult to answer, but the key issue is that traditional GDS systems have a problem — they are too complex to operate and require the input of a lot of code. For the new generation of professionals who are accustomed to AI technologies and automated systems like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, this is a nightmare. Therefore, most travel agencies are now turning to more intelligent and automated GDS integration solutions, such as Travelconnect‘s TripOptimizer.
TripOptimizer can be seamlessly integrated with these GDS systems, providing intelligent fare searches and automated booking processes to help travel agencies improve operational efficiency, reduce human error, and ensure that travelers get the best prices. For travel agencies looking to enhance their business competitiveness, such innovative tools have become indispensable resources.
More importantly, if you don’t have a GDS account yet or don’t know which system to start with, we can directly assist you in applying for mainstream GDS accounts such as Amadeus, Galileo, and Sabre. As a ticket supplier ourselves, we offer a comprehensive range of tickets and higher commissions than most travel agencies.In other words, you can not only use more convenient tools but also earn more from every ticket!
So instead of struggling on your own, why not use the right tools and find the right partners to help you get ahead in the travel industry? That way, you can start out where others have already been for three years.
If you would like to know more about integration solutions or the account application process, please feel free to contact us at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Abacus Reservation System
Abacus is a Global Distribution System (GDS) that provides travel agencies with an integrated platform for travel-related services such as airline reservations, hotel bookings, and car rentals.
In 1998, Abacus partnered with the US-based Sabre Corporation to establish Abacus International. Sabre provided technical support, while Abacus focused on developing the Asia-Pacific market.
Abacus’ core business includes integrating services related to the travel and leisure industry, such as airline reservations, hotel bookings, car rentals, cruises, and insurance, to provide users with comprehensive and effective solutions.
