S

Definition

One of the four main Global Distribution Systems (GDS).

Synonym(s): Global Distribution System

A system which handles the hotels group sales efforts, as well as the booking of function rooms for meetings, banquets, weddings, conferences, and other events.

Acronym: S&C

A prospective consumer of a product or service that is created when an individual or business shows interest and provides his or her contact information. Businesses gain access to sales leads through advertising, trade shows, direct mailings and other marketing efforts. They can also purchase sales leads from third-party companies.

A process used for forecasting purposes which calculates the difference between room nights expected under a corporate contract and the actual room nights consumed by the account's travellers.

Synonym(s): Wash, Netting Down

Segmentation is a logical classification of information in such a way that can be managed by the business. Segmentation can be defined as a hierarchy where a parent-child relationship exists, for example Market Segmentation.

An output of a rate plan. A sellable instance of a Guest Reservation System (GRS) rate plan which includes a collection of inventory and a specific price that is made available for purchase. This may be modified or enhanced by offer-level dimensions such as guest loyalty, channel, or special circumstances.

A series of the conditions of sale and inventory types that define the prioritisation of how conditions of sale and inventory types are checked for the availability check and return process.

Dates that an inventory type is available to be sold.

Synonym(s): Selling Horizon

An allowable combination of a product and attributes.

An additional charge (amount or percentage) applied to a purchase which may be used to offset additional costs. Established at the discretion of the hotel.

The profile which controls the services exposed to a particular vendor (channel).

Antonym(s): SOA

The position of a hotel within the multi-hotel availability search results.

Add value to a product, describe something that guests value and may be the basis of their product selection. These must be searchable, priceable and impact a hotel’s inventory structure.

A software feature that supports the online catalogue and ordering process, enabling guests to select and review one or more products and services before they purchase.

An additional date/s outside the primary event dates when additional sleeping, meeting rooms or non room inventory will be required.

Hotel activity where potential guests are shown a hotel’s facilities during the sales process prior to booking.

Synonym(s): Site Inspection

A concept where inventory accessed by multiple systems is housed in one instance.

A user authentication process that permits a user to enter one name and password in order to access multiple applications, e.g. Network ID.

Acronym: SSO

One central location to go to for data with one universal definition.

The virtual payment method used by most Online Travel Agency (OTA) partners and connected wholesale partners.

Synonym(s): Payment, Ghost Card

Two or more IHG properties which are in each other's competitive set or which share the same market but do not compete directly with each other.

A unique account identifier sent by a sales channel, which is used to associate production to the appropriate Managed Account.

Acronym: SSID

A house level restriction placed on the Best Flexible Rate for a specific date or dates.

Acronym: SE

A pricing programme that allows products to be sold at a lower price to specific guests for a specific period of time.

A measure of performance that identifies the total revenue achieved relative to the rooms sold at a hotel for a given period. SpendPAR is calculated as follows: Total Revenue / Rooms Sold = SpendPAR.

Acronym: SpendPAR

The act of involving people within the organisation affected by change to collaborate and help drive solutions to collectively deliver on initiatives.

The process of identifying and evaluating the degree of change impact to functional teams and individuals based on current vs. future processes and procedures.

An established and official step by step way of doing something. SOPs at IHG apply across the global estate with instances of regional exceptions; IHG hotels' SOPs must align and/or complement regional and global standards.

Acronym: SOP

Synonym(s): Operational Guidelines

A contracted flat room rate that does not change for a specific time range.

The period starting with the point where the guest arrives at a hotel until they depart. During a stay, a guest may consume several products across multiple product categories, including any Sleeping Rooms, Meeting Rooms, and Non Room Inventory items that the hotel offers.

A stock or amount of something supplied or available for use.

A partner channel requests a specific product, date and rate. IHG holds the inventory until an end transaction is received from the Global Distribution System (GDS).

A system component which serves as a link between certain channels and the Guest Reservation System (GRS), transferring rate and availability data between the systems.

A formula that defines a set of conditions that lead to specific outcomes within software. This formula is used to enforce or support strategic business processes.