The Protea Hospitality Group has launched an iPad app that challenges users to see if they have what it takes to run their own Protea Hotel – or any other hotel or business – profitably. The app, which runs as a game, teaches financial management in a simple and entertaining manner, while challenging the user to think laterally to improve revenue.
Danny Bryer, director of sales, marketing, and revenue for the Protea Hospitality Group, says second only to the comfort and satisfaction of guests, revenue management is the most important part of running a hotel. “It’s not exactly the rock n roll side of the business, though, so the best way to learn about it is to make the process fun.
“What’s great about it, though, is even if you’re not a games buff you can play this one. It stretches your mind laterally because you get to choose which guests to accommodate at the right time based on demand,” he says. “Put them in rooms you think will tickle their fancy, and accept or reject offers to maximise the revenue of your hotel. You only have one week and five rooms to play with, so think carefully. Each decision you make could cost the hotel money. Ka-ching!”
The app distils the hotel revenue management and the like process into a game with five rooms to be managed for a one week span. The player is challenged to place bookings in rooms by choosing which offers to accept or reject in trying to maximise the hotel’s revenue. Upon completion of the game, the revenue your hotel has managed to bank versus the actual highest revenue possible is shown, teaching how each decision made — regardless how seemingly trivial at the time — can cost a hotel money.
Compatible with iPads running iOS 4 or later, the app, titled Protea Hotels Revenue Management is available for immediate download at Apple’s iTunes app store.“
