30. Innovation strategies in hotel business: computer systems, gds.

          For the hotel and resort industry, we have developed and distribute a complete line of hotel software products and services.  The hotel information systems include PMS, sales and catering systems (“S&C”), CRS, customer information systems (“CIS”), revenue management systems (“RMS”), and an Internet/Global Distribution System based hotel reservation service called myfidelio.net.  We also provide installation and end-user training services, and support services (including help desk) for the various software products. 

          We market a range of property management systems geared to hotels of varying sizes and operational needs, all of which run on industry standard PCs.  Globally, there are more than 18,000 active MICROS PMS installations, which includes some sites using PMS products for which MICROS has ceased ongoing development.  Most of the hotels with MICROS PMS have also installed other property-specific modules and applications; additionally, there are over 2,000 hotels running various property-specific modules and applications without a MICROS PMS.

          The PMS software provides for check-in and check out, reservations, guest accounting, travel agent accounting, engineering management, and interfaces to central reservation systems, to on-line travel services (a/k/a alternative distribution services, e.g., Expedia), and to global distribution systems (e.g., Sabre, Galileo, Amadeus and WorldSpan).  The S&C software enables hotel sales staff to evaluate, reserve and invoice meetings, banquets and related events for a property.  The CRS software allows hotels to coordinate, process, track, and analyze hotel room reservations at a central facility for electronic distribution to the appropriate lodging site.  The CIS software allows hotels to efficiently capture and track relevant information of guests.  The RMS software allows hotels to manage room rates, occupancy, and the mix of business between corporate and transient customers.  We also offer an Internet-based hotel reservation service via our myfidelio.net service.  This service enables corporations, tourist representation services, and consumers to create room reservations directly with designated hotels.  This service also allows those hotel properties without internal reservation capabilities to outsource to us the maintenance of their connectivity to the global distribution systems, and to certain alternative distribution systems.

          

31.Topic “The most common terms and abbreviation in the Global Hospitality”

Apartment Hotel

Accommodation in apartment-style units rather than rooms: with minimum or expanded in-suite cooking facilities. Defined by legislation for licensing and classification purposes.

Available Rooms (suites, beds)

The number of rooms normally available on a day to day basis, LESS those permanently used for some purpose other than guest occupancy.

Average Daily Rate (ADR)

The total room revenue for a given period (day, month to date, month, year to date), divided by the number of rooms occupied for the same period. Frequently used as a measure of economic performance.

Bed and Breakfast (B&B)

A type of room rate which includes the price of the room and breakfast. Also known as Continental Plan.

Boutique Hotel

Historical, classic buildings, remodeled into boutique hotels with usually have less than 30 rooms.

Central Reservation System (CRS/CReS)

The ability of guests to make a reservation for one out of a number of hotels by contacting one agency, contracted by the hotels acting as a group, to operate this "central" reservation service.

Franchise

The right to market a service and/or product often exclusive for a specified area, as granted by the manufacturer, developer or distributor in return for a fee: prevalent in the fast food industry but increasingly adopted within the hotel community.

Front Office

An office usually situated in the lobby, always located inside the main entrance, whose primary function is to control the sale of guest rooms, provide keys, mail, information service for guests,

maintain guest accounts, render bills, receive payments as well as providing information to other departments within the hotel.

Guest History

A record maintained for each guest who has stayed at the hotel with a separate entry for each visit and details of pertinent preferences. This is a valuable reference tool for reservations, marketing, and credit departments. Guest histories are now more readily available through the increased utilization of computers and technology.

Guest House

A personal residence with a small amount of overnight accommodation sometimes limited by legislation and residence constraints. Typically provides breakfast which is included within the room rate but no other meals. Not licensed to provide alcoholic beverages commercially.

Hotel

Minimum number of available rooms, services, and amenities, usually defined by legislation for licensing and classification purposes as well as eligibility for fiscal incentives in some jurisdictions. May provide food and beverage services on site but not always within the accommodation building(s): usually by in-house staff but occasionally through an outside food and beverage contractor. May or may not provide a range of recreation and other amenities on site or by arrangement with others off site. Includes motor hotel, resort hotel or resort, and commercial hotel.

32. Topic “Well known hotels of the world”

1. Hotel Metropolitan, Tokyo

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo (right), is located in the heart of the city and is a perfect choice for business and leisure travellers alike. It features 815 exclusive guestrooms, a spacious fitness area with indoor swimming pool, elegant wellness amenities including a Jacuzzi and steam room, as well as a number of bars and restaurants serving Japanese, Chinese and Italian cuisine.

2. The Empire Hotel, New York

The luxurious and recently renovated Empire Hotel near Central Park and Lincoln Centre boasts 420 elegant guestrooms and suites all with spectacular city views. First-class fitness and wellness areas, a stunning rooftop pool and deck, and the Rooftop Bar & Lounge serving signature cocktails are key features. The Empire Lobby Bar offers a hip and romantic setting and an outstanding selection of wine and champagne.

3. Grand Hotel de la Minerve, Rome

Located between the Pantheon and the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva (left), the Grand Hotel de la Minerve is the perfect luxury base from which to explore Rome. The five-star deluxe hotel is set in a magnificent 17th-century palace and was completely renovated in 2004. It offers 135 rooms, including superior, deluxe and junior suites, as well as a stunning roof garden where guests can enjoy dinner as the sun goes down.

4. Hotel le Petit, Los Angeles

Hotel le Petit is a bohemian-inspired boutique hotel located in West Hollywood, just steps from the famed Sunset Strip and Santa Monica Boulevard. Guests can choose to stay in a choice of accommodation – The Little Lovely (Demi Suite), The Lovely (Junior Suite), The Lovelier (Executive Suite) or The Loveliest (One bedroom/open studio). The hotel also boasts a rooftop deck with a saltwater pool, an outdoor fire place and stylish Butterfly Lounge.

5. City Inn Westminster, London

The flagship hotel of WorldHotels is the award-winning City Inn Westminster, which is within easy reach of many of London’s attractions, including the London Eye and Tate Britain. The hotel offers 460 modern rooms and the City Café Restaurant, as well as the Milbank Lounge cocktail bar and elegant meeting and conference facilities.

6. Kimberly Hotel, New York

In the heart of Manhattan, a stroll away from the world-famous boutiques on Madison and Fifth Avenue, stands the Kimberly Hotel (right), featuring inviting guestrooms and spacious suites, as well as a 75-foot yacht for spectacular sightseeing and views of the New York skyline. Guests can also enjoy fitness and spa facilities at nine branches of the New York Health & Racquet Club on a complimentary basis.

33.Topic “One of the Luxury Hotels in the World”.

Burj Al Arab (Arabic: برج العرب‎,Tower of the Arabs) is a luxury hotel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At 321 m (1,053 ft), it is the fourth tallest hotel in the world. Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 m (920 ft) from Jumeirah beach and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. The shape of the structure is designed to mimic the sail of a ship. Sometimes referred to as "the world's only 7-Star hotel", its star rating is disputed.

Site [edit]

The beachfront area where Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel are located was previously called Chicago Beach.[7] The hotel is located on an island of reclaimed land 280 meters offshore of the beach of the former Chicago Beach Hotel.[8] The locale's name had its origins in the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company which at one time welded giant floating oil storage tankers on the site.[7]

The old name persisted after the old Hotel was demolished in 1997. Dubai Chicago Beach Hotel remained as the Public Project Name for the construction phase of Burj Al Arab Hotel until Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the new name.[9]

Design and construction [edit]

Burj Al Arab was designed by architect Tom Wright of Atkins. The design and construction were managed by Canadian engineer Rick Gregory also of WS Atkins. Construction of the Island began in 1994. It was built to resemble the sail of a dhow, a type of Arabian vessel. Two "wings" spread in a V to form a vast "mast", while the space between them is enclosed in a massive atrium. The architect Tom Wright[10] said "The client wanted a building that would become an iconic or symbolic statement for Dubai; this is very similar to Sydney with its Opera House, London with Big Ben, or Paris with the Eiffel Tower. It needed to be a building that would become synonymous with the name of the country."[11]

The architect and engineering consultant for the project was Atkins. Fletcher Construction from New Zealand was the lead joint venture partner in the initial stages of pre-construction and construction.[12] The hotel was built by South African construction contractor Murray & Roberts and Al Habtoor Engineering.[13]

The building opened in December 1999.

There was a considerable controversy regarding the claim that the structure looks like a huge Christian cross.