The Untold History of B2B Travel Wholesalers: From Floppy Disks to Algorithms

The evolution of B2B travel wholesalers is not just a story of hotel rooms and flight tickets—it’s a digital transformation saga spanning decades, continents, and technologies.

The journey begins in the analog era with pioneers like Gulliver’s Travel Associates (GTA) and Miki Travel, whose operational models laid the groundwork for today’s global travel distribution networks.

Act I: The Silent Giants of the Analog Age

Founded in 1975 in London by Iranian entrepreneur David Babai, GTA introduced the “guaranteed allotment” model, distributing hotel inventory via floppy disks long before Excel or APIs existed. A personal tragedy led Babai to exit the industry, culminating in GTA’s sale to Cendant in 2005.

Meanwhile, Miki Travel, launched in Japan in 1967, expanded across Europe with a focus on precision and operational excellence. Today, it operates in 173 countries and connects over 50,000 hotels through its proprietary system, mikiNet.

Act II: The Digital Shift and Acquisition Wave

The 2000s saw a wave of mergers and acquisitions:

• GTA and Tourico Holidays were absorbed by Hotelbeds, forming one of the largest B2B platforms.
• WebBeds acquired Jactravel and Destinations of the World, rapidly expanding its footprint.
• G2 Travel, Babai’s comeback venture, reunited former GTA talent.

This era marked the shift from floppy disks to XML, and from static pricing to dynamic algorithms.

Act III: Algorithmic Titans

Expedia, originally a Microsoft side project, evolved from an OTA to a B2B powerhouse with tools like Expedia Partner Central and Travel Agent Affiliate Program. Its algorithms now update prices thousands of times per second.

Agoda, founded in Thailand in 2005, digitized small Asian hotels and expanded globally through Priceline Group. Its YCS extranet and API integrations opened new doors for independent properties.

Act IV: The New Architects

Hotelbeds, founded in 2001, became a dominant force after acquiring GTA and Tourico. It now offers access to 180,000+ hotels across 140+ source markets.

WebBeds, launched in 2013, serves over 50,000 B2B buyers in 38,000+ locations, aiming for $10 billion in total transaction value by 2025.

Act V: Turkey’s Silent Revolution

HotelsPro, a product of Istanbul-based MetGlobal, emerged as Turkey’s leading B2B travel tech firm. With over 600,000 hotels and 30,000 agencies in its network, it became a global player. In 2020, GoGlobal Travel, an Israeli B2B travel giant, acquired HotelsPro, marking a new chapter in its international journey.

Act VI: The DNA of Today’s B2B Travel

The industry has shifted from guaranteed allotments to dynamic pricing, from fax machines to APIs, and from visibility wars to data-driven strategies. What began with floppy disks now thrives on real-time algorithms, mobile integrations, and global connectivity.

The evolution from floppy disks to real-time APIs wasn’t just a technological shift—it was a pursuit of something deeper: making travel more accessible, more connected, and infinitely faster.