Abstract
The aim of this thesis is to examine the operating statistics in the hotel industry in England and Wales, by means of a postal questionnaire, and to discover to what extent such statistics are used by managers. Any relationship between the use of such statistics and the profitability of those hotels taking part in the survey will also be examined. Chapter I: Introduction. This chapter consists of a general review of existing literature on hotel statistics. It also contains a survey of the income and revenue analysis accounting figures used by managers. The last section of the chapter is concerned with design of a questionnaire. Chapter II: Methodology. This chapter is devoted to methodology. It opens with the structure of the sample of those hotels participating in the survey. It then deals with the results of the pilot sample and necessary alterations and additions to the questionnaire and discusses the limitations of the total sample eventually used. Chapter III: Analysis of Hotel Revenue. This analyses the turnover figures of hotels and looks at them in relation to number of rooms available, price of bedrooms and location. Chapter IV: Operating Costs. This shows the total operating costs of- hotels, analysed to show the differences in hotels of varying sizes, price level and location. An explanation is given of "total operating costs". Chapter V: Labour Statistics. This chapter, which is devoted to labour statistics, looks at the average full and part-time wage. The relation between labour costs and turnover is discussed. The income generated by every £1 spent on labour is shown. Chapter VI: Profit Margins. This chapter looks at profit margins. Gross and net profits are shown in relation to hotel size, price and location. Also given are the figures for the net profit per bedroom. Chapter VII: Occupancy. Chapter seven examines aspects of occupancy of the hotels and particularly any effect it appears to have on the profit margins. Chapter VIII: Restaurant Statistics. Here we analyse restaurant statistics to show the average amount spent per guest night and the relationship to the overall profit margins. Chapter IX: Information for Management. This is a summary of aspects of management information; it shows the average time span covered by the ratios before they are reviewed. Chapter X: Conclusions. Here we summarize the results of the survey and draw conclusions. Appendix 1: Included here are the questionnaire and some sample answers used in obtaining the statistics. Appendix 2: This shows the computer programme used for analysis purposes and the computer printout of some of the results. The aim of producing these figures is to enable members of the hotel industry to judge their performance against the performance of others of a comparable nature and to be aware of the areas of their establish¬ments that could be improved so far as profitability is concerned. In making this information available it will also be possible for managers to prepare more meaningful budgets and targets. Appendix 3: This shows the calculation of fixed costs. Appendix 4: This shows further analysis of turnover per bedroom. Appendix 5: A further analysis of the sales mix showing the highs and lows of each sales mix group.