In managing reservations a hotel basically deals with rooms and allotments, two of the rate management features were explained in the previous article, "Rate Management Efficiency for Hoteliers Featuring ‘Rate Templates' and ‘Rate Tiers' "; allotment is part of the Reservation Management package.

It is fascinating to observe how the hotel industry is being served through Information Technology. A mere decade ago, a hotel had to maintain paper contracts for each travel agent and corporate client, noting agreed rates and modifying allotments periodically. Any changes, aside from what was written in the paper contract, required a large bureaucracy, and were most time-consuming, up to the point at which a reservation could be confirmed. A Hotel was bound to the agreed allotment, without being able to sell the room until cut-off day.

That reality inspired Pelican System to create "Dynamic Room Allotment" in its reservation system. A Hotel simply sets a maximum allotment allowed for in the system, and all rate tiers are allowed to share the allotment. This is for the purpose of maximizing high allotment utilization as the system serves reservations on a "first come-first served" basis, without causing any overbooking.

For the scenario of dealing with a sudden group booking, a Hotel can immediately close the allotment on the system to prevent any other booking coming in. No phone calls are required, nor do you need a FAX, as the maximum allotment in the system will not allow overbooking.

A reservation system is like a two-sided coin. It must be able to please the customer in making, modifying and canceling reservations, while also making the Hotelier's life easier in implementing business strategy, in regard to room reservation management.

Pelican System will continue to introduce its product features. Meanwhile, any Hotelier who wishes to pursue a complete explanation, kindly contact: info@pelicansystem.com

About Pelican System
Pelican is an Internet-based reservation system designed to manage all types of bookings, whether made directly by guests or through travel agents and corporate clients.

For Internet users (direct guests) Pelican will provide instant confirmation of reservations made through the hotel web site, and will notify the hotel' reservation department though automatically generated e-mail messages.

For travel agents and corporate clients Pelican offers a feature called "Online Contracting," which eliminates the need for paper-based, fixed-term contracts, allowing the hotel to set and adjust rates and allotments instantly according to seasonal period, special events, or unexpected demand.

For more information please visit www.pelicansystem.com.

Author:
Linda Husin
R&D Manager of Pelican System
linda@pelicansystem.com