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INTRODUCTION TO FRONT OFFICE

DEPARTMENT

CHAPTER 1

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CHAPTER FOCUS POINT

Describe the significant of front office in tourism and hospitality business

Construct front office organizational chart line within a hotel or any tourism and hospitality business

Explain personnel job specification, responsibilities among position, departments and division within a hotel

Describe the activities in each guest cycle stage of a hotel

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INTRODUCTION OF FRONT

OFFICE DEPARTMENT

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Most important department in the hotel- nerve for hotel operation- Interface between a hotel and its guest

Guest makes first contact with FO department

First place that can makes guest develop an impression about the level of service, standard, facilities and hospitality of the hotel.

FRONT OFFICE DEPARTMENT

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Communication and Accounting are the most important functions of the front desk operation.

Accounting procedure involve- settlement of the guest bills- accepted advance booking of hotel rooms- settle bills at the time of check-out

FRONT OFFICE DEPARTMENT

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Effective Communication with- guest * processing the guest reservation * handling the guest reception * fulfill the guest inquiry usage in the hotel such as internet facilities, safe deposit * check-in and check out the guest- other departments of the hotel etc. * maintaining the room status

FRONT OFFICE DEPARTMENT

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FRONT OFFICE DEPARTMENT

FO department operates 24 hours a day Three main shifts in FO department

Morning – day shift 7.00 a.m – 3.00 p.m

Day – evening shift3.00 p.m – 11.00 p.m

Night shift11.00 p.m – 7.00 p.m

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FRONT OFFICE ORGANIZATION

AL CHART

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ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

Organization structure of FO department varies

It is depends on the size and style of operation of the hotel

It can be categorized into- Small sized hotel- Medium sized hotel- Large sized hotel

( Refer to the Figure 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 for organizational structure of FO department)

DUTIES OF FRONT OFFICE

PERSONNEL10

DUTIES OF FRONT OFFICE

PERSONNEL

DUTIES OF FRONT OFFICE PERSONNEL

FRONT OFFICE

PERSONNEL

CASHIER

RESERVATIONS AGENT

NIGHT AUDITOR

TELEPHONE OPERATOR

CONCIERGE

RECEPTIONIST

FRONT OFFICE

MANAGER

BELL BOY

DOOR ATTENDANT

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1

2

3

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FRONT OFFICE MANAGER- Direct and coordinate the activities of the front office department- Perform the function of a link between the management and front office employees- responsible for hiring, training, supervising and disciplinary all front desk, reservation, and guest services staff members in order to maintain the desired standard of service- prepared the budget for the front office department- evaluate the job performance of each front office employee

DUTIES OF FRONT OFFICE PERSONNEL

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BELL BOY- Handling guest luggage at the time of arrival and departure- Escorting guests to their rooms on arrival- Familiarizing guests about safety features and in-room facilities- Locating a guest in a specified area of the hotel- Posting guests mails- Providing information to guests about hotel facilities and services when asked.

DUTIES OF FRONT OFFICE PERSONNEL

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CASHIER * Receiving payment * Balancing guest account * Opening and maintaining the guest folios * Recording all credit charges in guest folios * Preparing bills at the time of check-out * Handling credits/debit/charge cards for the settlement of a guest account * Administer the safe deposit system * Handling foreign currency

DUTIES OF FRONT OFFICE PERSONNEL

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DOOR ATTENDANT* Open the doors of guests’ vehicles on their arrival in the hotel portico* Help bell boys in lifting luggage* Open the hotels’ entrance door for guests* Coordinate with parking attendants for parking guests’ vehicles in the hotels’ parking area.

DUTIES OF FRONT OFFICE PERSONNEL

NIGHT AUDIT * Preparing the night audit report * Check-in and check-out guest who arrive or depart after 11.00p.m * processing the reservations * performing the duties of security guard * monitoring fire safety system * Act as cashier for banquet function * performing the duties of manager on duty

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DUTIES OF FRONT OFFICE PERSONNEL

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RECEPTIONIST * greeting guest * handling special request * handling check-in and check-out * providing information to guest * assigning rooms and dispensing guest room keys

DUTIES OF FRONT OFFICE PERSONNEL

CONCIERGE * Making reservations for dining in famous restaurant * Arranging tours, limousine, and entertainment ticket * Maintaining good relationship with hospitality industry * Personal helper to VIP * Obtaining tickets for theatres, musicals etc * Provide latest information of events

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DUTIES OF FRONT OFFICE PERSONNEL

RESERVATION AGENT * Handling guaranteed and non-guaranteed reservation * up sell accommodation * Prepared the expected arrival list and the expected departure list every day * Prepared a guest folder and to keep the mails and messages of guest with reservation doc * Providing management information to other department

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DUTIES OF FRONT OFFICE PERSONNEL

DUTIES OF FRONT OFFICE PERSONNEL

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TELEPHONE OPERATOR * processing all incoming and outgoing calls * log all wake-up call on the system * Answer questions about the hotel’s services and product * taking message * operating hotel paying system * direct incoming calls to the desired extension * provide paging services for guest and employee

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GUEST CYCLE STAGE

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GUEST CYCLE STAGE

GUEST CYCLE STAGE

PRE-ARRIVAL* Reservations

ARRIVAL* Registration* Room assignment* Issuance of room key* Baggage handling

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GUEST CYCLE STAGE

IN-HOUSE* Mail and message handling* Maintenance of guest account* Paging and travel assistance* Safe deposit, currency exchange

DEPARTURE* Preparing the guest bill* Settlement of guest account* Transportation* Future reservation

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GUEST CYCLE STAGE