About Us
The Website
RoomsHere.com is not another booking system, but an information management system which integrates the operations of Accommodation Businesses, Visitor Information Centres and Booking/Travel Agents into one website, whilst displaying accommodation vacancies to consumers on a twelve month calendar.
RoomsHere.com aims to list every Accommodation Business and Visitor Information Centre across Australia, so that visitors can see the vibrancy of tourism in every town, city, suburb or area.
Listings will firstly appear as inactive grey listings, which are published on the website FREE OF CHARGE, providing consumers with an accurate perspective of the vibrancy of tourism in each Town, City, Suburb and Area. On signing up to RoomsHere.com, listings will become active, providing user access to a range of searchable functions, contact details, website and email links, map locations and on line booking systems if nominated by Accommodation Businesses.
The website has been designed from an industry perspective which encourages Accommodation Businesses to sell in both the commissionable and non-commissionable markets, utilising existing distribution mechanisms to return a higher average yield overall, for maximum sustainability.
RoomsHere Testimonials
The Concept
RoomsHere.com was developed by June Kain, who through 20 years experience in the tourism industry, recognised the need for a system to integrate the operations of Accommodation Businesses, Visitor Information Centres and Booking/Travel Agents.
June retired from the position of Tourism Manager, City of Mount Gambier in September 2006, following 12 years managing “The Lady Nelson” Visitor & Discovery Centre, a high profile gateway centre, providing professional visitor services for Mount Gambier, the Limestone Coast, and the states of South Australia and Victoria.
The RoomsHere.com concept is based on a manual system that was used at the Visitor Information Centre during periods of high demand, to service hundreds of enquiries from customers requiring accommodation. RoomsHere.com has been designed to streamline processes and reduce the cost of staffing and resources in providing this service.
Having worked closely with accommodation providers and through the development and management of a family Bed & Breakfast business, June has experienced and understands the difficulties and costs associated with marketing accommodation.
Whilst she acknowledges the benefits of marketing accommodation through the wholesale trade, structuring tariffs to include the cost of commissions, she also understands the need to creatively sell some product direct to consumers, averaging overall profit margins to ensure long term survival in the industry.
Acceptance of 'last minute rates' has also influenced what appears to be a trend for Accommodation Businesses to inflate tariffs during periods of high demand knowing that there are mechanisms available to 'discount' tariffs 'at the last minute' during quieter periods.
The functionality of RoomsHere.com was influenced by all of the above, and it seemed prudent to also integrate facilities for Booking/Travel Agents to ensure that commissionable product is more accessible and distribution more affordable, as recent market trends are seeing a weakening in commissionable sales and a strong acceptance and high expectation from consumers for the industry to adopt 'last minute rates'.
RoomsHere.com incorporates functions which encourage accommodation providers to be creative and reactive whilst still honouring traditional sales ethics such as the 'Rack Rates only' rule and mechanisms have been provided so that commissionable products can be linked to existing booking systems, therefore supporting tourism organisations and local Visitor Information Centres.
Giving consideration to all of the above, the cost of RoomsHere.com listings have been kept at a minimum for Foundation Members and for as little as $132 per property per annum (which equates to $11 per month including GST), accommodation businesses can publish their contact details, photograph, vacancies, packages and last minute rates, directing all enquiries to the business for commission free bookings.
Holiday Rental Properties
Having worked in the tourism industry at the "grass roots level" June appreciates the value of holiday rental accommodation and has developed RoomsHere.com to cater for the display and management of multiple properties.
RoomsHere.com will be one of the few tourism accommodation websites to display holiday rental properties in the same forum as traditional accommodation, providing mechanisms to display vacancies, special packages and last minute rates.
A special Multiple Property Package is available which includes an example letter that might be issued to property owners, explaining the functions and benefits of RoomsHere.com.
Major Event Listings
Because RoomsHere.com specialises in displaying vacancies to streamline the process of finding vacant accommodation during periods of high demand such as events, conferences, and holiday periods, an Event Listing for Major Events can be put up on the site, so that delegates/attendees can be directed to the listing for information on the event.
Major Event Listings which are listed to appear on the top of the town listing which hosts the event, includes a photograph, links to the event email and website and information about the event.
RoomsHere.com, has developed a Homestay Program to assist towns with inadequate accommodation to bid for large events.
Contact June Kain, jkain@roomshere.com if you are interested in discussing ways to promote your conference or event, or set up a Homestay Program.
Homestay Program
Due to the demand for accommodation on some communities during large events and conferences, Homestay has become widely accepted throughout Australia as a means of catering for large numbers of delegates or attendees.
Because the core function of RoomsHere.com is to display vacant accommodation, it is the perfect forum for managing a Homestay Program - each Homestay property is discreetly displayed on the website, providing the accommodation details, bed configurations and telephone contact numbers, so that guests contact hosts direct - no need to spend hours on the phone matching guests with hosts.
RoomsHere.com understands the sensitivity of this issue and has developed a MAJOR EVENT Listing format that gives consideration to both commercial and Homestay accommodation.
We recognise that the potential of a community to host large events may hinge on being able to accommodate delegates/attendees in and around the immediate community that is hosting the event, in preference to having to provide transportation solutions etc.
For further information contact jkain@roomshere.com