presents a united front

The Budget Motel Chain presents a united front

By Mandy Clarke, Editor

The Budget Motel Chain is synonymous as a leading brand, providing excellence in accommodation for today’s diverse market.

It is well recognised for off ering good, clean, comfortable accommodation at aff ordable rates for cost-conscious travellers throughout Australia and New Zealand. Budget member properties can be found all over Australia, delivering a unique balance of att ractive aesthetics, great customer service and aff ordable pricing.

The Budget Motels Chain encompasses four brands: the well-known Budget Motels, Orbit Inns, Paragon Hotels and their newest brand, Budget Motels Gold.

Christopher Fozard is Budget Motels’ operations manager. He brings years of defence, customer service and community organisation experience to his role as well as a passion for hospitality.

One challenge the industry faces is the decision to operate independently

providers, wanting to know more about becoming part of the Budget Motels family. The Budget brand has some unique points of diff erence compared to other chains. Some of the benefi ts of membership that were highlighted by Chris are listed below:

A simple fee structure ensuring equality for all members

A wholly owned and operated channel manager, UseROSS, which is included with membership and is constantly being updated based on feedback from accommodation providers

To reduce EFTPOS merchant fees, we have introduced a secure direct deposit system (DDS), for use by properties which utilise the UseROSS Channel Manager. This system saves a considerable amount of money on merchant fees. With the DDS system, guests are charged at time of booking to ensure that the property receives part or full payment for their bookings as security against ‘no-shows’.

A Book Direct (or book now) butt on. Although there are a lot of book now butt ons available, ours is designed specifi cally for the UseROSS Channel Manager, making the booking process simple and secure

In-house IT support for members who use the UseROSS Channel Manager

Advertising of member properties to a database of over 200,000 people

Access to bookings via our corporate contracts

Inclusion in social media campaigns

An ever-growing list of preferred partners, specifi cally focused on providing the best service to our members

containing the latest industry news, especially during this COVID-19 period

An invitation to our closed, members only, Facebook group. Have a question or comment, ask our members for their suggestions

Annual conferences and AGMs in beautiful locations

Ability to display signage of one of Australia’s most famous motel icons, the Budget Motels black and gold ‘B’.

Engaging in community assistance, such as providing accommodation for bush fire accommodation and drought relief efforts and raising funds for the Cancer Council.

The Budget Motel Chain’s team...

Chris attests to the strength and spirit of the team at Budget Motel Chain. He said: “The team consists not only of our dedicated head office staff, but also our board of directors, who are themselves moteliers with vast experience and backgrounds. Their dedication, decisions and leadership have helped direct not only the future of the Budget Motel Chain, but the industry as well.

“For over 40 years, we have also been supported by some of the accommodation sector’s leading organisations, focusing on providing the best levels of service and knowledge to our members and stakeholders.”

Tell Accom News readers why you think it so important to be part of a team.

Chris told us that it is now more important than ever to band together to promote regional properties, to a country that is coming out of lockdown and looking to travel again.

"Also as an industry, with COVID-19 at the forefront of everyone’s mind, we are dedicated to the Book Direct movement, to try reduce the amount of money going overseas to the OTAs who control so much of the online booking market. We, as an industry, need to work closer with organisations such as the Accommodation Association of Australia and other industry leaders, to push back against these behemoths.

"This could be achieved in part by educating the public about how the OTAs operate and the commissions they charge every property for every booking. These

commissions can vary greatly, between 15 percent and 40 percent, and go offshore, without paying the same business taxes that every other business pays. I am sure you all saw ‘Dick Smith’s passionate video’ on the OTAs. We were grateful when Dick Smith reached out to us about this and applaud his actions.”

Chris is convinced that the way forward is to show a united front.

“One challenge the industry faces is the decision to operate independently. This reduces the influence that properties have when dealing with OTAs, as well as a reduced marketing budget. We all understand that a strong, united front empowers us to make changes to benefit the entire industry and therefore individual operators. Last years’ announcement from Expedia to no longer enforce rate parity in Australia highlighted how working together can have a greater impact.

"Some accommodation providers are willing to push the boundaries in terms of what they can achieve and change but provide little motivation for innovation in the industry. If accommodation providers stop operating autonomously and begin to collaborate, we could see several (almost) immediate benefits to industry providers.”

Such as?

"OTAs no longer commanding price parity, dictating promotions, guest relocations and OTA commission based on location;

“Pushing technological providers to innovate and bring convenience to their day-to-day operations;

“Making decisions not on ‘gut feeling’ but instead based on predictive analysis and support from the industry;

“Influencing the government and other decision-making agencies to ensure a continued growth in the industry;

“Being better equipped for change and collaboration with other industries to create ‘win-win’ situations.’”

Finally, Chris added: “The Budget Motel Chain would like to get to a point where we can deliver such benefits to all accommodation providers and will continue to be a voice for the ‘little guy’.

“I’d encourage operators to make contact with us today and benefit from being part of one of the country’s biggest and friendliest accommodation families!"