Yield Management

Term from Boutique Hotels industry explained for recruiters

Yield Management is a pricing and booking strategy used in hotels to maximize revenue from room sales. It's like airlines adjusting ticket prices based on demand - hotels use this approach to set different room rates based on factors like seasonality, local events, or booking timing. For example, rooms might cost more during peak tourist season or when there's a big conference in town. This practice helps hotels make the most money from their available rooms by charging higher prices when demand is high and offering discounts during slower periods to attract guests.

Examples in Resumes

Increased hotel revenue by 25% through implementing Yield Management strategies

Managed daily Revenue Management decisions for a 120-room boutique hotel

Led Yield Management training for front desk staff to optimize booking patterns

Typical job title: "Revenue Managers"

Also try searching for:

Revenue Manager Yield Manager Revenue Optimization Manager Hotel Revenue Manager Revenue Strategy Manager Pricing Manager

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you develop a revenue strategy during a low-demand season?

Expected Answer: A strong answer should include creating special packages, identifying alternative market segments, adjusting pricing strategies, and coordinating with marketing to drive demand while maintaining profitability.

Q: How do you balance the interests of different hotel departments when making pricing decisions?

Expected Answer: Should discuss collaboration between sales, front desk, and housekeeping, considering operational costs, and maintaining service quality while maximizing revenue.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What factors do you consider when setting room rates?

Expected Answer: Should mention local events, competitor pricing, historical data, booking pace, and seasonal trends as key factors in their decision-making process.

Q: How do you handle group booking requests during high-demand periods?

Expected Answer: Should explain evaluating potential revenue, considering displacement of individual travelers, and negotiating rates that benefit the hotel.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the difference between ADR and RevPAR?

Expected Answer: Should explain that ADR (Average Daily Rate) is the average room rate, while RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room) considers both room rate and occupancy.

Q: How would you respond to a competitor's price drop?

Expected Answer: Should discuss monitoring market conditions, evaluating the impact on own property, and making informed decisions about whether to match prices or maintain current rates.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of hotel operations
  • Monitoring competitive rates
  • Using revenue management software
  • Understanding basic pricing strategies

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Analyzing market trends
  • Managing group bookings
  • Creating pricing strategies
  • Forecasting demand

Senior (5+ years)

  • Strategic revenue planning
  • Team leadership
  • Budget management
  • Market strategy development

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No understanding of basic hotel metrics (ADR, RevPAR, occupancy rates)
  • Lack of experience with revenue management software
  • Poor understanding of market segmentation
  • No experience analyzing competitive set data