UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, RECREATION AND SPORT MANAGEMENT
HFT 3253 Lodging Management and Operations
Summer 2015 Section 13 HB
(8.24.15)
Spring 2015 INSTRUCTOR
OFFICE HOURS
CREDIT HOURS
LECTURES
Dr. Greg Dunn
Office: 242C Florida Gym
Tel: (352) 294 – 3064
E-mail: gdunn@ufl.edu (preferred) (please put your last
name and LEI 3360 in the subject line of all emails to me)
Mon 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Wed 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
or by appointment
3 Credits
FLG 245 Monday 3pm-350pm and Wednesday 3pm-455pm
1. Required Text and Electronic Website Access Account
1. Hayes, Ninemeier and Miller. Foundations of Lodging Management, 2nd edition,
ISBN-10: 0132560895 • ISBN-13: 978013256089497801325608949780132571036
©2012 • Prentice Hall
2. Hotel Business Management Training Simulation Software
http://www.dogangursoy.com/hotelsimulator/
Each student must register with the above website for in class simulation exercises.
2. Course Description
This course is designed to provide students with a managerial examination of a full service
lodging firm including each major operating and support departments. This examination is
approached from two different perspectives. The first perspective exposes the students to the
unique characteristics of managing a service-based lodging product that is delivered by a diverse
employee profile and received by an equally diverse consumer profile. The second perspective
is designed to deliver an understanding of the business and financial operations of a lodging firm.
Students will be expected to make room allocation, pricing, marketing, operational, financial and
service quality decisions for a lodging firm in order to drive value creation. The students will
engage in strategic lodging business planning through the application of an appropriate skill set
to analyze internal and external market information and apply marketing research.
3. Course Objectives: At the completion of this course, students should be able to:
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Understand how proper operations management leads to firm profitability
Develop lodging operations and managerial problem identification
Develop problem prioritizing and strategic problem solving skills
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Develop a skill set to understand and apply the cause and effect relationships between
performance measures (effects), performance gaps, their causes and action steps for
lodging management
Enhance team building through class exercises
Develop a management skill set to analyze business situations in the lodging industry
Learn to make operational based decisions according to market demand and financial
performance
Develop quantitative skills for dealing with key issues in management of lodging
operations
Display analytical and critical thinking as well as creative management solutions in
factors relevant to lodging operations and management
5. Course Format: Combined Live and Online Learning Environment
Please be aware that while this course is primarily hosted live, there is considerable work to be
conducted and submitted online. The use of the online learning platform can sometimes
present significant challenges, particularly to students who are not ‘self-starters’ nor possess
good time management skills. Unlike traditional classroom settings in which each student gets
the same class at a set time and day, the online setting is available to you 24 hours a day and
gives students the opportunity to tailor some of the classwork to their schedule. Please note,
however, this course is not self-paced. There are select times during which units and course
materials will be available to you. You can view module supplemental lectures and materials at
any time during the dates in which the unit is open. However, quizzes and exams will only be
made available to you on the listed date(s) and time(s). Given the blended nature of this course,
you should regularly check your UF email and course canvas site for class updates and
announcements.
6. Technical Difficulties
Online access is your responsibility. If you experience trouble accessing the course or your
GatorLink account, or any other relevant issues, please contact the UF Computing Help Desk.
Please email me immediately if you have any questions or concerns with the content of the
course. I will attempt to respond to your emails within 24 business hours during regular
business hours (8am-5pm). Please remember to include the course prefix and number in your
emails and all correspondence must be presented in a professional manner. Be sure to be in a
place with a solid internet connection when conducting assignments or submitting materials.
7. Course Requirements
Students must complete all major components as described in the course syllabus/schedule
(examples: assignments, quizzes, project, etc.) in order to pass the course.
a. SYLLABUS: Once you have reviewed the syllabus and watch the course overview video, be
sure to review the module tabs posted on canvas. You should also read the Hotel Management
Simulation Game Handbook thoroughly.
b. ATTENDANCE: Attend and participate in class. Watch the course lectures online and
complete assigned readings. Each course module will have associated lectures and readings
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that should be viewed and/or completed. Monday classes are five points each and Wednesday
classes are 10 points each.
c. QUIZZES: There are six (13) quizzes associated with the textbook readings. Take the module
quizzes and or perform the module assignments. These quizzes and assignments are to be
completed once you have finished each module readings, study and or simulation game. They
may cover material from lectures, readings and simulation exercises for each module.
e. ASSIGNMENTS: There are fifteen (15) assignments associated course materials, lodging
foundations and the hotel simulation game.
f. HOTEL MANAGEMENT SIMULATION GAME: This course includes the application of a hotel
management simulation game. There is one (1) final paper and one (1) final presentation
covering the performance analysis of your hotel.
Hotel Simulation Group Project
PRELIMINARY PROJECT DESCRIPTION: http://www.dogangursoy.com/hotelsimulator/
The Hotel Business Management Training Simulation is a virtual management training game
where participants are divided into teams and assigned the task of running 500-room hotels in
a competitive virtual marketplace. Each 500-room hotel competes against other 500-room
hotels located in the same destination that are managed by other class members. Just like in
the real world, hotels compete against each other to attract customers from their target
markets that will generate the most revenue and enable the management team to reach their
monthly and annual financial and operational objectives.
The Hotel Business Management Training Simulation utilizes both operational decisions made
by the management team for their hotel and operational decisions made by competing hotels
to determine demand and revenue for each hotel. Operational decisions includes, but not
limited to, capital investment, operating expenditures, marketing expenditures and pricing
strategies. The external factors such as day of the week, demand patterns, etc. are also
factored in the simulation. At the beginning of each month (round of simulation), each hotel
management team must determine their objectives and primary and secondary market
segments from eight market segments included in the simulation.
Afterwards, just like in the real world, the management team must make decisions relating to
hotel operations, marketing, distribution, pricing, operational and capital investment decisions,
and financing decisions to fund capital and operational expenditures. The challenge is to
develop and implement a competitive business strategy that results in a competitive
positioning in the marketplace and produces good financial performance as measured by
market share, occupancy, RevPAR, ADR, total revenues, net operating earnings and net profits.
After making decisions for each month, results are made available to all management teams so
that they can see how their actions and their competitors’ actions impact the performance of
their businesses. Just like in the real world, each management team must analyze their previous
months’ decisions and the outcomes of those decisions, competitors’ actions and strategies in
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the previous months, market and demand conditions for each segment before making their
decisions. In order to be successful, decisions must be rational and logical based on thorough
analysis of data from previous months and projections (forecast) for the future.
The Hotel Business Management Training Simulation game provides invaluable training
opportunities for managers and management trainees to improve their managerial and
operational skills and efficiencies. It also provides great learning experiences to students who
are studying hospitality business management. Students will form into groups of (four-six)
members (managers). Each group member will be responsible to enroll and activate an account
using the above web address. Student groups will create a hotel and name the hotel when they
register. Group members will self-select the department they would like to manage for their
team. For example, each group (hotel) will have a general manager, food and beverage
manager, revenue manager, marketing manager, sales manager, and rooms manger.
The instructor of the course will assess the market performance of each hotel and the
management team that is operating the hotel. A series of practice simulation rounds will be
conducted in the class, followed by a assignments and then a final round of simulation rounds
will be conducted leading to the final group project (Paper/PPT) presentation. Each simulation
round will require the student groups to submit period market reports as assignments that
benchmark their performance in the virtual market. The reports and the market performance
of each hotel will constitute to the students’ grades.
8. Methods of Evaluation
The grade in this course will be computed as follows:
Course Component
Points and Percentage
Points
a. Attendance & Participation
(16 X 15 points)
240
b. Application Assignments
(14 X 10 points, 1 x 50 points)
190
c. Quizzes
(13 X 20 points)
260
- Team Planning Proposal
(1 X 50 points)
50
- Concept Description Paper
(1 x 50 points,)
50
- Final Project Presentation
(1 x 100 points)
100
- Final Paper
(1 X 100 points)
100
- Syllabus Quiz
(1 x 10 points)
10
e. Term Project
Total
1000
*Points do not reflect weighted value expressed as a percentage of the total grade.
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9. Grading Scale
Students are reminded of the university regulations regarding the allocation of grades. A
student’s overall performance in this subject shall be graded as follows: For more information
please refer to the link to the undergraduate catalog web page
https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx.
Percentage
or points
earned in
class
Letter
Grade /
Grade
Point
90%100%
A
87%89%
B+
83%86%
B
80%82%
B-
77%79%
C+
73%76%
C
70%72%
C-
67%69%
D+
63%66%
D
60%62%
D-
4.0
3.33
3.0
2.67
2.33
2.0
1.67
1.33
1.0
0.67
Below
60%
E
11. Course Policies
EMAIL ETIQUETTE
You are expected to communicate in a professional manner. Email communication should be
courteous and respectful in manner and tone. Do not send emails that are casual or demanding.

 Please include your last name and the course number (LEI 3360) in the subject line of all
emails.
 Please use a proper greeting in your email, e.g. Dear Dr. Dunn.
 Please do not expect an immediate response via email (typical response time will be within
one to two business days, but I usually respond sooner).
 If your email question is sent at the last minute (e.g. shortly before an assignment is due) it
may not be possible to send you a response before the due time.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
The Dean of Students Office provides individualized assistance for students with documented
disabilities. Services are based upon student need and impact of their specific disability. There is no
requirement for any student to self-identify as having a disability. However, students requesting
classroom accommodations must register with the Dean of Students Office and provide the
appropriate documentation verifying their disability. The Dean of Students Office determines what is
and is not appropriate documentation. Examples of accommodations that are available to students
include, but are not limited to, registration assistance, approval of reduced course load, course
substitutions, classroom and examination accommodations, auxiliary learning aids, additional course
drops when disability related, and assistance in other university activities. The designated coordinator
for compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the Assistant Dean of Students responsible for Students with
Disabilities Programs, P202 Peabody Hall, 392-1261 (Voice), or 392-3008 (TDD).
https://www.dso.ufl.edu/drc/.
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THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA “ACADEMIC INTEGRITY CODE”
In adopting this Honor Code, the students of the University of Florida recognize that academic
honesty and integrity are fundamental values of the University community. Students who enroll at
the University commit to holding themselves and their peers to the high standard of honor required
by the Honor Code. Any individual who becomes aware of a violation of the Honor Code is bound
by honor to take corrective action. The quality of a University of Florida education is dependent upon
the community acceptance and enforcement of the Honor Code.
…We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers
to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. On all work submitted for credit by students at the
University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied:
“On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment”
Violations of the Academic Honesty Guidelines shall result in judicial action and a student being
subject to the sanctions in paragraph XIV of the Student Conduct Code. The conduct set forth
hereinafter constitutes a violation of the Academic Honesty Guidelines (University of Florida Rule
6C1-4.017). For further information regarding the honor code at the University of Florida, please
visit the website of the Dean of Students: http://www.dso.ufl.edu/judicial/academic.php
EVALUATION OF INSTRUCTION
“Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course based on 10
criteria. These evaluations are conducted online at https://evaluations.ufl.edu. Evaluations are
typically open during the last two or three weeks of the semester, but students will be given specific
times when they are open. Summary results of these assessments are available to students at
https://evaluations.ufl.edu.”
UF SPECIAL SERVICES
Phone number and contact site for university counseling services and mental health services: 3921575, or by going to http://www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc/Default.aspx. The University Police
Department: 392-1111 or 9-1-1 for emergencies
GETTING HELP
If you are having difficulty with the course material, please email the Professor and/or visit the
Health and Human Performance Subject Guide at the UF Library:
http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/cm/hhp/hhp.html. Or contact the sport, tourism and recreation subject
librarian: http://apps.uflib.ufl.edu/staffdir/SubjectSpecialist.aspx.
Dean of Students Office:
Do you need help resolving a conflict or would you like access to the student code of conduct? Visit
the Dean of Students site: https://www.dso.ufl.edu/
Counseling and Wellness Center: http://www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc/
Online Computing Help Desk- e-Learning Support Services: http://helpdesk.ufl.edu/
12. Suggested Course Calendar
This course has been purposefully designed to allow you to move through the modules at your own pace.
In order to stay on track with lectures, assignments, and readings however, it is suggested that you follow
the accompanying course schedule.
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