After two years of sweat and lots of development capital - well known travel industry veteran, Dave Upton recently announced the launch of online booking system AccommodationGuru.com
Zero cost to install, this ‘industrial strength' accommodation booking system is initially aimed at smaller product aggregators such as regional tourism organisations which have so far slipped through the distribution net.
It is also perfect for reservation services representing 20 or more properties and travel companies representing niche products. (Whilst the system is very scaleable, representing properties with 5 rooms or less is no longer a hassle with our SMS imediate request/confirmation facility).
Upton, a founding director of travel.com.au, saw an opening to develop AccommodationGuru.com through the activities of his internet development company, ITbyus, which has built more 150 travel websites over the past three years.
"I realized there was a lack of affordable IT products for smaller reservation businesses and developed AccommodationGuru.com with this market in mind, although the system is totally scalable," says Upton.
"AccommodationGuru.com allows small businesses to effectively compete with multinational accommodation reservation sites."
A major point of difference with AccommodationGuru.com is that there's no up-front capital outlay or monthly fees. AccommodationGuru.com makes its money by charging consumers a USD3 booking fee.
"The cost to set up the software is virtually non-existent, and the return is substantial. Because aggregators get to retain all of their commission, earnings add up fast."
What is AccommodationGuru.com? AccommodationGuru.com is a browser-based application which can be integrated into a company's existing website at zero cost.
Visitors to the site can search for their desired travel accommodation and make reservations in real-time.
It can be used by aggregators such as regional tourism offices selling local accommodation product.
In this case, site owners agree on a commission structure with property suppliers, and earn full commissions for each reservation that is made through the site. (You are the merchant - we invoice you for the booking fee once a month).
"The program is extremely flexible. Companies can sell not only rooms but camp sites and tours as well," Upton says.
"Additionally, they have the option of focusing on a local market or expanding internationally. AccommodationGuru.com makes this easy by accepting a variety of currencies."
AccommodationGuru.com provides travellers with the same tools and conveniences offered by many of the popular accommodation websites.
Features include first-screen availability and pricing comparison, instant book & requests too, last-minute booking options, and secure online payments.
More info at
www.AccommodationGuru.com For further information, please contact:
Dave Upton, CEO, Accommodation Software, +61 2 9437 3347
info@accommodationsoftware.comDave Upton - Biography
Dave has an extensive background in the travel industry, starting his career as a key member of the group that developed Trailfinders into Britain's largest independent travel agent, ultimately joining its Board of Directors.
Looking for a better lifestyle, Dave emigrated to Australia in 1983 where he founded The Travel Specialists, bringing international air prices within reach of the average person. In 1997 Dave merged his company to form travel.com.au and concentrated his efforts on the technical development of the business.
As CIO he was responsible for the development of the travel.com.au web site, booking engines, back office systems, corporate sites, conference sites, dynamic travel package builder and wholesale booking engine. Travel.com.au is now in the process of being sold to Wotif.com for around AUD55 million.
After leaving travel.com.au Dave started his own internet development company, ITbyus, which has built almost 500 websites over the past few years, including 150 for travel companies, many of them well-known.
It was during this work – which continues apace – he decided to develop AccommodationGuru.com, which has taken two years to build. It's now ready to roll. 
