Certificate in Global Travel Systems
Course Overview
The Certificate in Global Travel Systems is a compact LSTITM programme that introduces the reservation, ticketing and distribution platforms behind modern global travel. Delivered over 3 to 6 months on-campus, online or by distance learning, the syllabus references IATA published system vocabulary, BCS practitioner guidance, TechUK travel-technology material and Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) reference points, so learners speak the same technical language as UK travel-technology employers from their first day at work.
By graduation you will understand how a Global Distribution System (GDS) sits between airlines, hotels, tour operators and travel sellers, be able to describe simple queue, PNR and voucher flows, and support a small back-office team using accurate system terminology in a live shift, including responding to routine supplier queries, opening basic support tickets and updating a shared inbox with clear audit-friendly notes.
Key Features
- Introductory syllabus written by former GDS trainers, OTA account managers and reservations analysts
- Alignment with IATA operational vocabulary and BCS practitioner conventions
- Weekly labs based on anonymised GDS booking, queue and cancellation flows
- Guided reading from ABTA, ITT and TechUK on travel-technology best practice
- Introduction to airline, hotel, car hire and rail reservation ecosystems
- Practical exercises reading PNRs, hotel vouchers and simple manifest files
- Structured induction to the settlement, invoicing and audit trail behind reservations
- Digital roleplay covering telephone, live-chat and email supplier communication
- LSTITM careers workshops on entry roles across London travel-technology teams
What You Will Learn
- Describe how a Global Distribution System connects airlines, hotels and travel sellers
- Read a Passenger Name Record (PNR), fare ladder and hotel voucher structure
- Interpret simple queue codes, cancellation flows and change requests
- Recognise how OTAs, wholesalers and tour operators consume distribution feeds
- Explain the role of ARC, IATA settlement processes at an introductory level
- Support a supplier or reservations team on straightforward booking queries
- Follow safeguarding, GDPR and audit-trail steps for reservation data
- Communicate clearly with travellers when a booking or ticket needs correcting
- Draft an internal handover note at the end of a reservations shift
Who This Course Is For
- School leavers aiming at travel-technology, reservations or GDS careers
- Retail travel staff wanting stronger system knowledge for progression
- Airline back-office and cargo staff broadening into distribution roles
- International students seeking a first LSTITM tourism systems qualification
- Career changers targeting OTA, wholesaler or reservations analyst positions
Career Pathways
- GDS Systems Trainee
- Reservations Systems Assistant
- Airline Distribution Assistant
- OTA Account Support Executive
- Booking Platform Assistant
- Tour Wholesaler Support Executive
- Travel API Support Trainee
- Tourism CRM Assistant
LSTITM's careers service prepares Certificate graduates for interviews with London travel-technology firms, tour operators, OTAs and reservations centres. Students receive coaching on how to describe their systems awareness in interviews, are given access to sample role briefs from London employers, and gain warm introductions across the LSTITM alumni network working in travel technology, distribution and reservations roles across the UK sector.
Entry Requirements
- Age 16+ with genuine interest in travel technology and global reservation systems
- GCSE-equivalent secondary education (or overseas equivalent)
- Basic English proficiency (IELTS 5.0 or equivalent for international applicants)
- Access to a computer with reliable internet for online delivery
- No prior travel-technology qualification required as this is a foundation route
Why Study at LSTITM
LSTITM is the London School of Tourism and International Travel Management, a specialist tourism division of Harold International College of London, focused on the destination, business, systems and strategic disciplines that shape modern global tourism. Every programme is aligned with recognised UK bodies including the Tourism Society, ITT, ABTA, CIM, BCS and UKHospitality, giving Certificate graduates a credible reference base when they apply for a first systems role in a competitive London market.
Certificate students receive dedicated coaching for CV writing, LinkedIn presence and mock interviews from tutors who have themselves worked inside GDS, OTA and airline distribution teams. They also gain warm introductions to London reservation centres, OTAs, tour wholesalers and travel-technology support teams. Every LSTITM Certificate leads cleanly into a Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Higher Diploma and full honours pathway, with articulation available into MSc-level travel-systems study for later executive career progression.
Apply for Certificate in Global Travel Systems
Step into the technical, systems-facing side of tourism with the LSTITM Certificate in Global Travel Systems, delivered by a specialist London school for tourism and international travel management. You will finish the course with worked PNR exercises, sample queue flows and short reservation reports in your portfolio, ready for entry interviews with UK travel-technology employers. Cohorts stay small so tutors can rehearse individual telephone practice, ticket writing and supplier email drafting with each learner. Start your London-recognised tourism career today and articulate into an LSTITM Diploma in tourism technology or travel systems as you progress, with a specialist careers team supporting you at every step of the journey and a friendly cohort of fellow learners sharing your ambition. Enrol Now.
