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| HA100 : The Class : Travel : Resorts : Lesson2-2-1 |
This time we will start the chapter with an assignment: Do Web Assignment 1 now.
We'll start out with a brief history on resorts. The picture above is of the St. James Club Resort. This resort occupies an entire peninsula of Antigua, an island in the Caribbean. (For another luxurious example on the Web: click here.)
You probably understand that these types of resorts were developed only after the 1950s, with the development of jet passenger aircrafts. The first resorts go back as far as civilization, when the aristocracy of the Roman Empire spent leisure time in villas on the islands neighboring Italy.
(One of these islands was Capri, just click here to see more on this island: http://www.capri-island.com/en/tour/T1.html)
Europe developed, several centuries later, health resorts, the so-called "spas," and one of them (The Spa Resort in Belgium) still exists. America followed this European spa tradition, and the development of railroads provided access to resorts in New England, and Atlantic City. You have to be aware of the fact that these resorts were exclusively domain of the more wealthy people in this country until the 1940s. Only after World War II the resorts became affordable for larger groups of people. Increased prosperity and reduced airfares led to resorts catering to mass leisure travelers, and they were built in the most desirable places around the world.Differences between Resorts versus Nonresorts.
| RESORTS | NONRESORTS |
| LOCATION: | |
| Desirable physical location | Functional location: airport, downtown |
| FUNCTION: | |
| A: destination resort For instance, Orlando B: activity resort For instance: Aspen |
For instance: Business hotels, hotels near airports for travelers, conference hotels. |
| SEASONALITY: | |
| High, low, and shoulder season | More even distributed occupancy |
| LENGTH OF STAY: | |
| Resort guests stay longer than nonresort guests. | Nonresort guests stay shorter than resort guests do. |
| EXTENT OF PROPERTY: | |
| More facilities than nonresort, such as more F+B outlets, big swimming pools, tennis, golf, etc. | Less facilities than a resort. |
| GUESTS: | |
| Focused on enjoying the experience, and on personal contacts with staff. | Focused on efficiency. |
| STAFFING: | |
| Challenging, because of seasonality, and a small population base. | Less challenging, because of large population to draw from, and readily available public transportation. |
Number two on the list of niches in our industry is the club.
There are many types of private clubs serving the social and recreational needs of their members. Many academic hospitality programs have long overlooked the study of club management. However, the club industry is growing at a dramatic pace in the U.S. and will provide many interesting job opportunities. Types of clubs. They are generally organized in three ways:
| by LOCATION |
by ACTIVITY |
by OWNERSHIP |
|
Country clubs City clubs Beach clubs |
Golf, tennis, yacht, health, athletic, road, gun, hunting clubs |
Membership-owned equity clubs Individual-or company owned clubs Club owned by a corporation for employees US government-owned military clubs |
Most of the private clubs are member owned equity clubs, and more than 50% of these are country club or golf club operations. Members pay an initiation fee and annual dues. Some clubs offer limited membership to children of regular members, senior citizens, nonresidents, etc.
The organizational structure of a club is very different from, for instance, a hotel. An example of a general club structure / hierarchy is depicted in the box below. The ultimate goal for the GM of a club is to satisfy the needs and wishes of the membership. A very challenging job!
| Members Board of Directors | |
|
Committees: Membership Finance + Budget Clubhouse Athletic Entertainment |
GM Assistant GM Clubhouse Mgr. Controller F+B Director Membership Service Golf Superintendent Golf Pro Tennis Pro |
(Please, read page 107 (Club Operations) on some of the details of this job.)
Number three of the four niches discussed in Chapter 4 are attractions.
An attraction is a place, structure, building, or scenic point that draws people. It may be a natural phenomenon, or man made. (Please take a look at Exhibit 4-8, page 108, for the three major classifications of attractions based on funding.)
Attractions and Issues:
| PARK: | ATTENDANCE (In Millions) |
| Disneyland | 15 |
| Magic Kingdom (WD-World) | 13.8 |
| Epcot | 11.2 |
| Disney MGM (WD-World) | 10 |
| Universal Studios (FL) | 8.4 |
| Universal Studios (CA) | 5.4 |
| Sea World (FL) | 5.1 |
| Busch Gardens, Tampa | 4.2 |
| Six Flags, New Jersey | 4 |
| Sea World (CA) | 3.9 |
The last one of the four niches discussed in Chapter 4 are events. Events are temporary (as opposed to attractions, which are permanent). The International Festivals & Events Association estimated that there are 70,000 events or festivals each year. Events evolve around a theme, they generate usually significant revenues, and they are often held outdoors.
Go on to Group Assignment 1
or
Go back to Resorts, Clubs, Attractions, and Events
E-mail Lenka Hospodka or call (928) 523-2845 (Lenka Hospodka)
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