Toni Repetti

Clickers: A Strategy for Active Learning in a Hospitality Classroom

Increasing student engagement and performance through active learning should be a concern for all instructors, and using technology in the classroom has been found as a way to accomplish this. The purpose of this article is to analyze whether using educational technology in the form of clickers in a hospitality financial accounting class engages students and ultimately increases their course performance. Data from students (N = 260) over three semesters were analyzed using t-tests, descriptive analyses, and qualitative analyses. Results showed that students did perform significantly better when clickers were used compared to when they were not. Results also showed that students felt engaged in the class when clickers were used.

Pricing strategies for resort fees: consumer preferences favor simplicity

Purpose – The purpose of this study is twofold: to determine hotel customers’ preference among hotel amenities pricing strategies, specifically a bundled, all-inclusive charge in the form of a resort fee, a limited choice resort fee at a lower price or a la carte pricing, and to determine whether hotel customer prefer bundled or partitioned pricing when faced with a mandatory resort fee. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey of participants aged 18 years and older who had taken an overnight leisure trip in the past six months is conducted. A fixed-choice set conjoint analysis is performed to analyze the 353 usable surveys. Findings – Results of this conjoint analysis show that 67 per cent of respondents prefer bundled pricing over partitioned pricing. Respondents also show higher utility for no resort fee and paying for amenities based on usage instead of being forced to pay a mandatory resort fee. Practical implications – Guest preferences for pricing strategies can provide hotel operators with ...

The Importance of Finance and Accounting Competencies: The Gaming Industry's Perspective

The literature acknowledges that finance and accounting competencies are critical for hospitality professionals. To date, however, no research on finance and accounting competencies has been conducted in the gaming industry, nor has any study been conducted in any hospitality subsector after the Great Recession of 2007–2009. The current study identifies the importance of finance and accounting abilities and examines whether there are significant differences in the perceived importance among different gaming industry professionals. The findings reveal that preparing operating budgets is the most important of all skills and that years of experience and department function do not generate a significant difference in the level of importance of any skills.

Consumer perceptions of resort fees and their impact on hotel selection.

Several hotel companies have identified resort fees as an opportunity to add revenue while providing a higher level of amenities to guests. Conversely, some hospitality organizations see these mandatory fees as a disservice to customers and choose to market their “no resort fee” strategy to gain a larger market share. Results of a survey (N = 161) of Las Vegas tourists’ attitudes on resort fees and the impact resort fees had on resort selection decisions are presented. In addition, the study identifies respondents’ preferences of amenities to be included when charged a mandatory resort fee. Practical implications for hotel operators are also discussed.

Consumer Spending in the Gaming Industry: Evidence of Complementary Demand in Casino and Online Venues

Brick and mortar gambling stakeholders have scrutinized Internet gambling sites over concern that online operators may serve as substitutes for their products. In some cases, this has led to regulatory protection to prevent or restrict entry by online providers. However, many industry observers have remarked that the two gambling modalities may serve different consumers/consumer needs, or even serve as complementary goods. Policymakers, who look to gambling as an important source of tax revenue, must determine how expansion of Internet gambling will affect overall economic welfare. Using self-reported consumer gambling behaviour data from the United Kingdom, the net effect of Internet-based gambling activity on land-based demand is estimated in this study. A robust complementary (positive) relationship between online and offline gambling is found, using ordinary least squares, two-stage least squares, and two-part modeling techniques. These particular findings suggest that economic concerns around the cannibalization of traditional gambling industries should be reconsidered, and provide support for prior research showing that Internet based firms can be complementary to brick and mortar businesses.

Do rooms managers exhibit expense preference behavior in Nevada casinos

Within the hospitality industry, the largest expense is payroll, and it is often considered one of the most controllable. Expense preference theory postulates that managers may focus more on maximizing their own utility by overspending as opposed to firm profit maximization. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if hotel managers in Nevada casinos exhibit expense preference behavior by overstaffing. Results of various regression models show that occupied rooms is positively and significantly related to rooms payroll. In one model, there is a modestly significant relationship between market concentration and rooms payroll. Results also show that after accounting for other variables, there is no significant relationship between a recession and rooms payroll.

Minimum wage change effects on restaurant pricing and employment

Purpose State and local governments are considering large increases to the minimum wage. Since restaurants employ many individuals paid at or below minimum wage these changes may affect their businesses. This study evaluates the anticipated effects of minimum wage growth on employment and pricing in U.S. food and beverage operations. Design/methodology/approach The study utilizes an experimental design where restaurant owners and managers are presented with scenarios of differing levels of potential minimum wage increases and are asked to anticipate changes to employment and pricing. Findings Restaurant owners and managers involved in the study indicate the level of the minimum wage increase will significantly affect changes in pricing and employment levels. Results also show that restaurant demographics such as type of restaurant and average check do not significantly affect the relative change operators anticipate implementing. Specific ways participants plan to make adjustments are also presented. Orig...