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, Travel Agents and Property Managers.
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 Coat at the states of South Australia and Victoria.
The RoomsHere.com concept is based on a manual system that was used at the Visitor Centre leading up to and during periods of high demand, to service hundreds of enquiries from customers seeking 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 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 to help lower the average cost of commission helping to assist long term sustainability.
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 if accommodation isn't fully booked.
The functionality of RoomsHere.com was influenced by all of the above, and it seemed prudent to also integrate functions for Travel Agents and Property Managers to ensure that commissionable product is more accessible and distributon 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 offer "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 mechansims have been provided so that commissionable product 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 and for as little as $132 per property per annum (which equates to $10 per month plus GST), Accommodation Businesses can publish their contact details, photograph, vacancies, packages and last minute rates, directing all enquiries to the Accommodation Business for commission free bookings.