"Travelport delivered a robust set of financial results during the third quarter [of 2016] against the backdrop of slower growth of the global GDS air market," explained Gordan Wilson, CEO, Travelport.

For the quarter ending September 30, 2016 net revenue jumped six percent, reaching USD591 million.

Meanwhile, Sabre has also enjoyed a successful third quarter 2016, reporting revenue growth of 6.9 percent, with airline and hospitality solutions revenue up 19.8 percent, clearly showing that, by no means is business slowing, despite the unstable climate triggered by the plummet in gas and oil prices, resulting in a pronounced reduction in corporate travel.

However, to maintain this success in the long run whilst keeping stakeholders satisfied, GDS need to continue to innovate, empower industry professionals and transform travellers experience, whilst offering value.

"With a less costly, flexible, and personalised distribution, GDS need to continue the revolution they started [...]," underlined Almalakh, calling for GDS to adopt International Air Transport Association's new distribution capabilities which provides customers with customised journeys in line with the changing demands and trends of travellers.

With an abundance of highly accessible and reputable online travel agents, travellers are increasingly comfortable with booking trips independently.

However, as Vasilevska points out, this will not result in the decline of GDS.

"Most of these business-to-customer platforms are connected to a GDS [...], so regardless of what apps or new online systems come up, the core will still be GDS."

Nevertheless, while there is no viable alternative, even as organisations develop their own reservation systems, directly selling to clients, Lina Bassam, executive director, wholesale, Nirvana Travel and Tourism, underlined that the industry will depend on GDS, especially for last minute bookings.

Bassam concluded, "GDS will remain as the main backbone of reservation system for travel industry."