Decoding the Language of Hospitality: A Comprehensive Guide to Hotel Jargons

Hospitality is a vibrant and dynamic industry that thrives on delivering exceptional customer experience. However, like any other sector, it too has its own language full of specialized terms and jargons. For those new to the industry or for seasoned professionals looking to brush up their knowledge, this detailed guide will take you through some commonly used hotel jargons.

Introduction

The hotel industry is filled with various terminologies that may seem foreign to individuals outside of the field. These terms are essential for efficient communication within the industry and help in maintaining a standardized operation across different hotels worldwide. Whether you are an aspiring hospitality professional or simply interested in understanding more about hotel operations, knowing these jargons can be incredibly beneficial.

Average Daily Rate (ADR)

Average Daily Rate or ADR is one of the most common terms used in hotel revenue management. It refers to the average rental income per paid occupied room during a specific time period.

Occupancy Rate

This term signifies the percentage of occupied rooms at any given time. The occupancy rate gives an overview of how well a hotel is doing business-wise as it directly relates to revenue generation.

RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room)

RevPAR is another key performance metric in hotels which calculates total guest room revenue divided by total number of available rooms. It gives insights into how well a property manages its room inventory and pricing strategy.

No-show

This term refers to guests who make reservations but fail to arrive at the hotel without prior information or cancellation notice.

Overbooking

Overbooking is when more bookings are accepted than there are rooms available at a given time – usually done strategically by hotels considering factors such as cancellations and no-shows.

Walk-in

A walk-in is a guest who arrives at the hotel without a prior reservation.

Blackout Dates

These are specific dates when travel rewards and other special discounts are not available due to high demand. Hotels usually have blackout dates during peak travel seasons or major events.

Complimentary

This term refers to services or items that are offered free of charge by the hotel, such as complimentary breakfast, WiFi, or shuttle service.

Folio

A folio is an itemized list of a guest’s charges and credits during their stay at the hotel. It includes room charges, taxes, fees for additional services like laundry or spa treatments etc.

Rack Rate

The rack rate is the standard price set by hotels for rooms before any discounts or promotional offers. This rate often fluctuates based on seasonality and demand.

Turn Down Service

This refers to a service provided by housekeeping in which rooms are prepared for night-time – including dimming lights, drawing curtains and sometimes leaving chocolates on pillows!

Understanding these jargons can greatly enhance your understanding of how hotels operate behind-the-scenes. Whether you’re starting your career in hospitality management or simply want to be more informed about your next hotel stay – this glossary will come in handy! Remember that while these terms may seem overwhelming at first, with time they will become second nature as you immerse yourself more into this exciting world of hospitality.