Unit 6 Rooms Division Operations Management

Introduction

Aim

This unit will provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary rooms’ division operations management and the importance of revenue management to operations.

Unit abstract

The unit examines the role of the rooms division within the management of a hospitality operation, the operational elements that comprise the rooms division and how these are deployed by management to maximise both occupancy and rooms revenue. Learners will gain understanding of the role of the front office as the ‘nerve centre’ of customer activity with network communication links within and to other departments. They will also gain understanding of the management of housekeeping services. Learners will be able to identify trends and technologies which impact on rooms division operations and effectively utilise a computerised operating system within the rooms division.

Learning outcomes

1 Understand services provided by the rooms division in diverse contexts

Accommodation services: roles and responsibilities; housekeeping; maintenance; working procedures; control mechanisms; decoration and furnishings; refurbishment; accommodation environment and occupancy; guest services and supplies; linen services and laundry; cleaning services; environmental issues; health, safety and security; documentation and records
Front office services: roles and responsibilities; reception; advanced reservations; concierge; administration; working procedures; control mechanisms; interior design; first impressions; guest records; the guest cycle; occupancy rates and monitoring; selling and promotion; tariffs and discounting; billing; point of sale (POS); payment procedures; cash control and reconciliation; security
Legal and statutory requirements: health and safety; hazardous substances; protective clothing; consumer law; price tariff and display; data protection; immigration (hotel records); diplomatic privileges
Diverse contexts:hospitality businesses; at least three examples eg hotel, restaurant with rooms, university campus.

2 Understand the impact of contemporary management issues on the effective management and business performance in the front of house area

Planning and managing: business/departmental plans; operations; procedures; POS management; security; night audit; use of technology; operational constraints; evaluating; controlling and updating front-of-house services; health and safety; consumer and data protection; pricing
Front-of-house area: visual impact; first impressions; design and layout; zoning; ambience; colour; flowers/plants; heating; lighting; airflow; cleaning and maintenance; security
Services: examples eg rooms related, concierge, information, sales, administration
Operational issues: financial; marketing; sales; human resources; quality; customer

3 Understand factors that contribute to effective management and business performance in the accommodation service function

Planning and managing: business/departmental plans; operations; procedures Property interiors and design: use; function; visual impact; ambience; ratings; cost; durability; access to and mobility within interior; suitability of fabrics/furnishings/fittings; efficient use of space; heating; lighting; airflow; effect of colour; design; smell; flowers; plants
Services: to include rooms (bedrooms, functions, meeting, staff, public), linen and laundry, cleaning, leisure areas, maintenance and self-catering equipment, environmental services, waste management, use of technology, operational constraints, health and safety, consumer and building regulations, evaluating, controlling and updating rooms services
Operational issues: financial; marketing; human resources; quality; customer

4 Be able to apply techniques to maximise and measure occupancy and rooms revenue

Revenue/yield management (RM/YM): forecast methodology; demand; perishability; cyclicality; distribution channels; price discrimination using differential rates and tariff structures to maximise occupancy; inventory management including the use of booking horizons and booking forecasts to maximise yield; hotel internet marketing including viral marketing; ethical issues; price fencing and lead-time pricing; advantages and limitations of revenue/yield management systems
Sales techniques: tariff structures; market-based pricing; negotiated rates (delegate, seasonal corporate packages); the use of overbooking (policy on no-shows, cancellations); sales leads; referrals; selling other services; upselling; correspondence research; repeat business; customer loyalty schemes; sources of bookings; central reservations; agents; airlines; referrals
Forecasting and statistical data: comparisons of actual performance against projected performance; formulation of the marketing and pricing policy; compilation of operational and financial reports; front office performance indicators (room occupancy percentage, sleeper occupancy percentage, double/twin occupancy percentage, average room rate, average sleeper rate)