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This page provides a high-level summary of EDF notifications for hotel inventory, rates, and allotment.

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Introduction

EDF (Einheitliches Daten Format) is a component-based XML format for exchanging travel product data between tour operators and distributors. It ensures accuracy, detail, and speed in delivering travel offers. EDF supports two main notification types:
  • EDF_HOTEL: Delivers inventory and rates information.
  • EDF_ALLOTMENT: Delivers daily allotment (availability) information.
EDF also supports detailed product attributes using DRV GlobalTypes for uniform descriptions.

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Product Identification

Each notification includes a header with key product identifiers:
  • Hotel Code
  • FileKey and FileKeyCombination (for seasonal transitions).
  • ProgramType (optional, for booking requirements).
  • Source (origin of the product, optional).
  • TourOperatorCode (mandatory for bookings).
Source and TourOperatorCode should be mapped on the client side.

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Packaging

EDF supports both pre-packaged and dynamic package models:
  • Pre-packaged: Combines multiple services (e.g., hotel + car rental) into a single offer.
  • Dynamic: Allows flexible combinations at booking time.
Car packages use inventory block codes and follow the ACRISS standard.

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Allotment

Allotment files define room availability and distribution strategy:
  • Strategy: Can be by “Arrival” or “Stay” (default is Stay).
  • Pattern: Indicates daily availability using codes (0-9, *, R, S).
    • *: More than 9 rooms available (free sale)
    • 0: Not available
    • R: On request
    • S: Stop sale
Check official documentation for the full list of pattern codes and usage.
  • PatternLength: Controls the length of the pattern string.
  • Delta: Indicates if the file is a full stock delivery (Delta="false") or a delta update (Delta="true").
A full stock delivery must be performed once per day before sending delta updates. Delta files only update the specified dates, rooms, or boards.
Hotels can be deactivated by sending an allotment update with all days set to stop sale.

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Inventory and Rates

EDF Hotel files contain two main blocks: Basic Data and Selling Data.

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Basic Data

Includes:
  • Hotel name, chain, codes (Giata, IFF), address, geolocation
  • Arrival/departure airports, transfer info, hotel attributes, reviews

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Selling Data

Includes:
  • Season labels and definitions
  • Currency (ISO 4217 code)
  • Rounding rules for prices
  • Extras (offers, incentives, charges, included services)
  • Restrictions (stop sales, min/max stays, fixed arrival days, etc.)
  • Rooms (descriptions, occupancies, possible boards, prices)
  • Boards (board types, global codes for unified search)
  • ChargeBlocks (price calculation, board/guest charges, reductions)
Check official documentation for XML structure, attribute details, and code examples.

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Key Concepts

  • ChildrenAgeOrder: Controls how child discounts are applied (ascending/descending by age).
  • Occupancies: Defines min/max guests, adults, children, infants per room.
  • ChargeBlocks: Assign prices by season, board, guest type, and apply reductions or supplements.
Use consistent currency codes and season definitions for accurate pricing and mapping.
For technical details, XML samples, and attribute definitions, please refer to the official documentation.