Travel counselors will make same-day reservations at hotels participating in the program.

Same-Day Reservation Service

For more than 15 years, the RMCVB Visitor Centers have operated a successful same-day lodging reservation service, booking more than 2,000 room nights per year. Get involved today, and see how easy it is to love RMCVB's services!

How Does The Program Work?

Travel counselors at RMCVB's main and airport Visitor Centers maintain lists of participating hotels, their locations and rates. (The rates are determined by each property at a discount.) Visitors needing same-day hotel reservations work with a travel counselor to select potential accommodations. The travel counselor then calls the desired hotel to determine if rooms are available that night at the "Visitor Center rate."

Why Should I Participate?

This program is for same-day reservations only so it's a great way to fill rooms that would otherwise be vacant. It is to each property's advantage to provide a discount rate, however if the hotel reservation department feels that they can sell a room for that night at a better rate, they have the option to decline the Visitor Center reservation or offer the room at a higher rate. If the reservation department accepts the Visitor Center reservation, the travel counselor will complete a reservation form and direct the visitor to that property. Participating hotels are the only hotels that may display brochures at RMCVB's two Visitor Centers.

How Much Does It Cost to Participate?

Each property is billed monthly for a 10 percent commission for the rooms booked via the Visitor Centers. The bill is payable within 30 days. In the event the bill is not paid within 60 days RMCVB will be unable to make further reservations for that property until the bill is paid in full.

What Are My Responsibilities If I choose To Participate?

Participating lodging properties are expected to:

• Provide the Visitor Centers with brochures of your property.
• Familiarize your front desk staff with the reservation service so they will understand when calls come in from the Visitor Centers.
• Post at the front desk a copy of the rate sheet that you have given to the Visitor Centers.
• Accept reservations at the Visitor Center rate you have set or decline the reservation. It is your property's privilege to decline a Visitor Center reservation or to offer at a higher rate if space is limited.
• Honor reservations made through the Visitor Centers when visitors arrive at your property.
• Give the Visitor Centers notice of any rate changes (special rates may be offered on a temporary basis with notice).
• Pay RMCVB 10 percent of the cost of each room night booked by the Visitor Centers upon receipt of a monthly bill issued by the Visitor Centers. If the invoice becomes more than 60 days overdue, the Visitor Centers will excise the option of not sending visitors to your property until the account is brought up to date. The terms of the invoice will be 30 days.

In exchange for your participation, RMCVB's Visitor Centers will

• Display your brochures at our two Visitor Centers.
• Promote the reservation service to all center visitors.
• Provide visitors with accurate and concise information about your property.
• Bill your property monthly for 10 percent of each room night booked by the Center.

How Do I Get Involved?

To participate simply download the participation form (pdf, 24k), and mail (RMCVB Visitor Center, 405 N. Third Street, Richmond, VA 23219) or fax the completed form to 783-7456. For more information, contact the Toni Bastian, Visitor Center Manager, at 783-7454 or visitorcenter@richmondva.org.