Glossary

This glossary defines key hospitality, digital, and business terms used in the Auberge Hollandaise strategy documents.

ADR (Average Daily Rate): The average price paid per room, per night. Calculated as total room revenue divided by total rooms sold.
AI Search: Search engines—like Google, ChatGPT, and Perplexity—that use artificial intelligence to understand queries, rank content, and provide direct answers without traditional links.
Accelerator (OTA Program): A paid placement or benefit (e.g., boosted ranking, “Preferred” status) from an online travel agent (OTA) that can increase bookings but comes with a higher commission rate.
Agenda Page: A dedicated webpage designed for one specific type of guest or event (e.g., “Business Reps in Durban North”), emphasizing the unique needs and services for that audience.
CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate): The average annual growth rate over a specified time period, often used for industry projections.
Channel Manager: Technology that synchronizes room inventory and rates across multiple booking platforms (OTAs) to avoid overbooking and maintain rate parity.
Commission: The percentage of each booking revenue retained by OTAs and booking sites (e.g., Booking.com, Expedia)—typically 10–30%.
CRM (Customer Relationship Management): Software used to manage interactions with guests, track leads, segment marketing, and nurture relationships.
Direct Booking: A reservation made directly through the property’s website, avoiding OTA commissions.
EBITDA: Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization—a measure of profitability and operational performance.
F&B (Food & Beverage): Restaurant, bar, and catering services.
Landing Page: A standalone website page focused on a specific offer, guest type, or event, designed to convert visitors into bookings.
Occupancy Rate: The percentage of available rooms sold, calculated as: (Rooms Sold ÷ Total Rooms) × 100.
OTA (Online Travel Agent/ Agency): Sites like Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, and SafariNow that list properties, accept bookings, and charge a commission.
Pillar Page: A main, content-rich page that covers a broad topic (e.g., “Business Accommodation in Durban North”) and links to more specific, supporting pages.
PMS (Property Management System): Hotel software for managing reservations, rooms, and guest services.
PV (Photovoltaic): Solar panels that generate electricity.
PWA (Progressive Web App): A website that acts like a mobile app—installs on phones, works offline, and can send push notifications.
Rate Parity: Ensuring the same room rate is offered across all booking channels (website, OTAs), as required by most platforms.
RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room): The average revenue generated per available room, per day. Calculated as: (Total Room Revenue ÷ Total Rooms Available).
ROI (Return on Investment): The financial gain from an investment, expressed as a percentage of the initial cost.
SOW (Statement of Work): A formal document defining the work to be performed, deliverables, and timelines for a project or partnership.
Segment: A group of guests with similar needs (e.g., business travelers, weekend couples, event delegates).
SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Improving a website’s visibility in search engines like Google and Bing.
Schema Markup: Structured data code added to a website to help search engines better understand content, improving how it appears in results.
Turnover: The total revenue received, especially from rooms, events, and F&B.
UTM: A tracking code added to website links to measure which marketing campaigns drive traffic and bookings.
VAT (Value-Added Tax): South Africa’s 15% tax on goods and services, applied to accommodation, food, and commissions.
Web App: A site designed for mobile, with app-like features (e.g., offline use, notifications, install icon).
White Elephant: A property with high maintenance and low profitability, challenging to operate profitably.

If you’d like additional terms added, please let me know. This list will evolve with your business and marketing strategies.