A system and method are described for reducing messaging data traffic within a cluster of servers. According to one embodiment, each server within the cluster initially attempts to register as a message listener for a particular messaging destination (e.g., JMS Topic). After one server successfully registers, a locking service locks out all other servers from registering as listeners. Subsequently, any messages directed to the messaging destination are forwarded only to the registered server and not the other servers in the cluster, thereby reducing messaging data traffic. If the registered server becomes inoperative, the cluster is notified and the other servers again attempt to register. The first to successfully register is again identified as the listener for the cluster.