RESPONSIBILITIES OF MAJOR HOTEL DEPARTMENTS

RESPONSIBILITIES OF MAJOR HOTEL DEPARTMENTS

In the previous section, we listed the major departments of a hotel and explained how they can be classified. These departments are usually set up to carry out specific duties. In this section, we shall describe the main areas of responsibility of the various departments.

Food and Beverage

The food and beverage (F&B) department offers a variety of facilities to guest but concentrates mainly on the provision of food and drink. These services may be provided by coffee shops, bars, lounges and specialty restaurants, and also by the banqueting and room-service departments.

Sales and marketing

The sales and marketing department is responsible for generating new business for the hotel. This could be the sales of rooms for groups/tours, functions, conventions or even restaurants and bars. It also handles the advertising of the hotel as well as sales promotions and publicity and often takes on the role of public relations.

Accounting

Accounting is responsible for monitoring of all the financial activities of a hotel. Such accounting activities may include: cash receipts and banking; the processing of payrolls; accumulating operating date and the preparing of internal reports, audits and financial statements. Because of the importance of financial data and statistics, it is necessary for the accounting departments to coordinate with the front office.

Engineering (maintenance)

Engineering (maintenance) is responsible for the maintenance and the operation of all machinery and equipment( including heating, air conditioning and lighting) It is also responsible for carrying out all carpentry, upholstery and small building, plumbing and other works, both inside and outside a hotel. Not all engineering and maintenance work however, can be handled by a hotel’s staff. Sometimes problems or projects may arise which require outside contracting.

Human Resources

Human Resources is mainly responsible for the employment of staff (including internal and external recruitments and selection), as well as induction programmers; training; employee relations; compensation; labour relations; and staff development.

In recent year this division has gained in importance because of the need to contend with legislation, labour shortages, and the growing pressures of completion. Hotels nowadays tend to put more effort into the training and development of their staff, and into revising their recruitment policies in order to retain their existing workforce.

Room division

In the rooms division most departments or sections are involved in the sales of rooms as well as the provision of services and facilities for guests. Such departments may be: the front desk; housekeeping; reservations; telephone; and the concierge.

In general, hotel room sales are the largest source of hotel revenue and, in many cases; more sales are generated by rooms than by all the other service combined. Room sales also yield the highest profit margins. The rooms division is composed of two major departments: the front office department and the housekeeping department.