0.9 Hotel reservations  (Page 4/4)

Sources of reservations

Corporate clients

Group travelers

Pleasure travelers

Current guests

Besides, hotels also need to forecast reservations, manage the overbooking, and process guest reservations.

Major Reservation Systems

Generally, reservations ensure that corporate, group, and pleasure travelers will have accommodations at their destination and provide the hotel with a steady flow of business. Determining the sources of these reservations assists the front office manager in developing procedures to satisfy the needs of the guest. The traveler can use various means to make reservations, such as toll-free telephone numbers, fax numbers, and the Internet. The room forecast is used to communicate occupancy status to other departments in the hotel. Overbooking, used to balance no-shows and understays, can be carefully structured using the occupancy management formula. Computerized reservations systems also help FO managers to manage guest information database, dates of arrival, length of stay, etc. confirmed and guaranteed reservations assure the guest of accommodations on arrival, with various degrees of assurance based on time of arrival and willingness to prepay. These levels of assurance also affect the financial success of the hotel. Some lodging properties continue to process reservations using traditional, non-computerized system. All elements combine to provide means of access for the guest and a technique for marketing rooms for the hotel. The front office manager is responsible for providing this service to the guest.

From Hotel Front Office Management (1996)

Decide whether the following statements True or False..

1. Making reservations is one of the ways to market the hotel industry.
2. A reservation system is used to affect negatively all aspects of managing a hotel.
3. An efficient reservation system will enhance business and ensure to satisfy the guest.
4. A well-organized reservation system helps to obtain higher room rate and increase the income.
5. Reservation sources are various, from corporate clients to current guests.

3. Vocabulary

Match the different types of guests to their definitions.

Corporate clientsCurrent guestsGroup travelers

Guests with confirmed reservationsGuests with Guaranteed reservations

Pleasure travelersStayoversUnderstaysWalk-in guests

Section 3: do you remember?

1. What are the documents used in taking reservations?

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1. In order to ask questions politely, what structures does the receptionist usually use?

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1. Explain the important role of making reservations in the hotel management.

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1. Joke down different types of guests contributing to endure the stable flow of guest into lodging establishments.

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