Discussion: Hotel Management, Dr. Jeffrey Wachtel, Thammasat University

1.     Why would it be good for an owner if an hotel company did a  Sale and Leaseback combined with a Management Contract?  What advantages would go to the hotel company?

2.     What factors would you consider in determining the feasibility of a new hotel?

3.     Would Dr. Jeffrey’s idea of a chain of backpacker hotels for S.E. Asia be a feasible idea?  Why and Why not?  If you think it is feasible?  How large should it be?  What facilities should it have?  How many employees will be required to run the facility?  What locations would be advantageous?  How would you establish a brand for the chain?  How fast would you expand?  Where would you hire the human resources?  How would you train the human resources? 

4.     How is the internet affecting reservations departments of hotels?  Does it affect the need for central reservation services? Does it put the small hotel in a better competitive position regarding reservation services? How, in your opinion, is it affecting the industry?

5.     What is yield management, overbooking, underbooking, what is an overbooking policy and why is it important?

6.     What is a room allocation with respect to the marketing and sales department of a hotel?

7.     What is travel agent sales?

8.     What sources are there in the local community of a hotel for developing increased room business (e.g., airlines etc. etc.)?

9.     What are some of the reports used at reception?

10.  What is a walk-in and how should they be handled?

11. Describe, in bullet form, how you think the doorperson, bellperson, and valet parking persons should treat a guest arriving by automobile.