Amadeus introduces use of Credit Card payments System via GDS

Amadeus, the foremost provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry has collaborated and partnered with industry players to make the use of credit card payments through the GDS possible. GDS is Global Distribution System (GDS)  network operated by a company that enables automated transactions between travel service providers (mainly airlines, hotels and car rental companies) and travel agencies.

The company obtained the necessary BSP certification from IATA on the usage of credit cards for payment of travel services through the Amadeus system in Nigeria and Ghana, making it the first GDS to accept credit card payments.

“Our goal is to offer our travel agencies solutions that will make their business operations more efficient. We are the first GDS to enable credit card payments which bring numerous cash flow benefits to our travel agency customers. Sales no longer have to be reported as cash and travel agents will benefit from a reduction in their BSP remittance which translates into a lower bank guarantee requested by IATA,” commented Yann Gilbert, GM, Nigeria & Ghana in a statement.

By 2018, it is predicted that the total number of payment cards in Nigeria will hit anywhere above 81.4 million, and Nigerian travelers are increasingly demanding to use credit cards when paying for services from their travel agents.

According to Bankole Bernard, President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) “Travel agencies need a partner they can trust and that can support them in critical areas of their business and the implementation of credit cards through Amadeus as a form of payment is a significant milestone for Nigerian travel agents and travelers alike,”

Amadeus entered Africa in 1992 when it signed a distribution agreement with Air Mauritius and today it is present in 100% of the territory across 48 countries. Since 2009, it has become a leading Global Distribution System and have six regional hubs based in Johannesburg, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal.

The Amadeus group, the statement said  employs around 14,000 people worldwide, across central sites in Madrid (corporate headquarters), Nice (development) and Erding (operations), as well as over 70 local Amadeus Commercial Organisations globally and has a presence in more than 190 countries.