General Knowledge in Hospitality and Tourism

The act of traveling for recreation or leisure.

Tourism

A person who travels to a place for pleasure, not work.

Tourist

The country or place a tourist comes from.

Place of Origin

The country or place a tourist visits.

Destination

Traveling outside one’s own country.

Outbound Tourism

Traveling within one’s own country.

Domestic Tourism

Traveling to a country by visitors from abroad.

Inbound Tourism

The organization that promotes tourism in a country.

Department of Tourism

The study of travel and the services related to it.

Tourism Management

A group or company that arranges travel and accommodation for tourists.

Travel Agency

The industry that provides lodging, food, and entertainment to guests.

Hospitality Industry

A business that provides accommodation to travelers.

Hotel

A small hotel offering limited services.

Inn

A privately owned lodging that includes breakfast.

Bed and Breakfast

The largest department in a hotel responsible for cleanliness.

Housekeeping Department

The hotel department that handles guest reservations and check-in/out.

Front Office Department

The first person a guest meets upon entering the hotel.

Receptionist

The person responsible for cleaning guest rooms.

Room Attendant

The section responsible for cooking and food preparation.

Kitchen Department

The manager responsible for the entire hotel’s operation.

General Manager

The record used to register a guest’s information upon arrival.

Guest Registration Form

The process of verifying a guest’s identity and assigning a room.

Check-in

A list of all rooms showing their current status (occupied, vacant, etc.).

Room Rack

The process of settling bills and leaving the hotel.

Check-out

The person who carries guests’ luggage.

Bellboy

The desk where guests check in and out.

Reception Desk

The summary report of guest accounts.

Guest Folio

The area where guests can ask for information and assistance.

Concierge Desk

The meal plan that includes breakfast only.

Continental Plan

The meal plan that includes all meals.

American Plan

The method of service where food is served from platters by servers.

Silver Service

The system of moving people from one place to another.

Transportation

The full meaning of MICE in tourism.

Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions

This is the most practical, simplest, and considered as fast service where all foods are arranged on a plate and served one at a time.

American Service

The most elaborate, luxurious and expensive among table services are those where food is prepared in front of the guest.

French Service

This is less expensive where foods are prepared in a kitchen and arranged on a platter.

Russian Service

SOP

Standard Operating Procedure

PMS

Property Management System

CRM

Customer Relation Management

CRS

Central Reservation System

UNWTO

United Nations World Tourism Organization

IATA

International Air Transport Association

FDA

Food and Drug Authority

A person who travels to perform religious duties or worship.

Pilgrim