Hospitality and Seasonality Holli Howard, 2010 Discussion Starter: Ask the students to make a list of the cities and states they have visited and describe their favorites. (They can even draw this if you want). Then talk about importance of the industry: The H&T industries are two of the fastest growing industries in the world. They encompass more than 15 related businesses. One out of every seven Americans is employed either directly or indirectly because of visitors traveling to and within the United States. Let’s take a closer look at this growing and thriving business.

Hospitality/Tourism Industry Lodging Food Service Travel Tourism Sports and Entertainment Events Hotels QSR Restaurants Cruise Lines DMOs Arenas Motels Catering Companies Rail Service CVBs Arts Centers B&Bs Banquet Facilities Car Rentals Tour Operators Theaters Resorts Fine-dining Restaurants Motor Coach Visitor Centers Parks All of these industry segments share a common characteristic: All rely on providing a quality service experience to the guest.

Tourism Industry Group of businesses that encompass travel/transportation vendors for air, rail, auto, cruise, and motor-coach travel Promote travel and vacations

Hospitality Industry Group of businesses composed of establishments related to lodging and food-service management. Examples include: catering companies, casinos, restaurants etc.

Other Providers Recreational facilities Planning/meeting facilities Sports/entertainment facilities These other providers also help to stimulate the travel and tourism industry. Whether it’s for a business meeting or a person is spending his/her money on one of their favorite activities, these industries also fall under the umbrella of the travel and tourism industry.

Good vs. Service Good-tangible Service-intangible Products can be goods or services. Most products in H&T industry are services. Ask students to make a list of the goods and services a hotel might sell.

Product Variables Perishability-probability of a product ceasing to exist or becoming unusable within a limited amount of time Ex. Hotel rooms that aren’t being rented for the night, fish at a restaurant that didn’t get ordered, rooms on a cruise ship that were not booked when cruise set sail

Product Variables Intangibility- a state of being abstract, as are things that can’t be touched. Ex. Experiences guest receive Changeability-a condition of being subject to change or alteration. Ex. Guest isn’t pleased with room and chooses to switch

Product Variables Seasonality-concept that certain destinations appeal to travelers at certain times of the year, based on climate and geography. “High season” is the most expensive season and the most desirable period because of holidays, vacations and weather.

Seasonality Cold-weather -destinations Warm-weather destinations Ski resorts Warm-weather destinations Beaches/water activities National Parks Foreign countries Mountains Competitive Market-all destinations must offer something for everyone throughout each season in order to be successful

Review Explain the segments of the hospitality and tourism industries. Draw a venn diagram showing the differences between goods and services. Identify 4 variables of hospitality and tourism products. Answers: lodging, food service, travel, tourism, and sports and entertainment Goods are tangible, and services are intangible tasks performed for customers Perishability, intangibility, changeability, seasonality