Glossary

This Glossary is provided to help guests understand more about the rental of inns, resorts and vacation rentals. It is not comprehensive but serves as a primer for terms guests may encounter in renting specialty lodging. Not all terms apply to all properties or managers.

Spouse Program

Special activities planned for those who accompany an attendee to a convention, trade show or meeting. Note that programs today are not simply for women, but rather for men and women, spouses and friends. Programs must be creatively designed to interest intelligent and curious sudiences.
Origin: Industry

State or Province

A State or Province is a sub-area of a Country. For our purposes Countries hold States. States hold destinations, Destinations hold Locations and Locations hold Properties, Resorts or Venues.
See also: Province, Country, Destination, Location Origin: William

Stay Over

See Hold Over.
Origin: Industry

Sundries

Incidental supplies provided along with rent of a lodging property such as paper goods, soaps, salt/pepper and other kitchen basics. Many managers provide a started supply of such things. Most do not provide an unlimited stash.
Origin: Industry

SunPartners

A company which owns and offers vacation rental home ownership on a fractional basis. Segments of homes, usually 2 months in length are sold to owners who share ownership in one of several legal arrangements.
See also: Fractionals Origin: William

Sunspots Network

A group of independent real estate agents and lodging managers who utilize the Sunspots central office for a variety of services that support the offering and delivery of quality vacation rentals. Members subscribe to the best practices of the lodging industry and are contractually obligated to provide a consistent quality guest and owner experience.
Origin: William May

Sunspots Resorts

Company which provides lodging services to the Sunspot Network. Those members provide management services to Inns, Resorts & Vacation Rentals in various geographic areas. The Sunspots Resorts name is promoted to consumers to establish a national and international brand name.
See also: Sunspots Network Origin: William May

Sunspotters

A program where guests who frequently stay at Sunspots Lodging properties are given special priviledges for their loyalty. Also referred to as a "Frequent Stayer" club. There is no charge for joining Sunspotters
Origin: William

Tariff

Rate of fare quoted and published by a travel industry supplier (i.e. hotels, tour operators, etc.) Usually an annual tariff is produced in a booklet form for use in sales calls at trade shows.
Origin: Industry

Tenant

A person or persons who rents a real estate property for an extended stay. As opposed to a "Guest" who rents a property for a short stay. The difference between a Guest and a Tenant is usually determined by local governing bodies such as states, counties, cities or home owner associations. Many jurisdictions consider tenants to be those who stay for more than 30 days.Tenants and Guests have different rights of use for the property.
See also: Guest Origin: Industry

Termination

The basis on which a party to a contract - written or verbal - may terminate the contract.
Origin: Industry

Terms & Conditions

The list of conditions, usually in writing and often printed on a website, that govern a contract or order. They spell out how payments are handled, what the policies and procedures are, what happens in the case of certain events. They govern the customer's comportment and obligate them to other rules and regulations.
See also: Rules, Regulations Origin: William

Time-Shares

Homes divided in ownership or use on the basis of time periods, most often one or two week each year.
Origin: Industry

Tip Envelope

Housekeepers leave in rooms indicating their name and date cleaned. Usually includes subtle reminder that tips are not required but gratefully appreciated.
Origin: William May

Tour Operator

Develops, markets and operates group travel programs that provide a complete travel experience for one price and includes transportation (airline, rail, motor coach, and/or ship), accomodations, sightseeing, selected meals and an escort. Tour operators market directly to the consumer, through travel agents and are beginning to be listed on computerized reservation systems.
Origin: Industry

Tour Wholesaler

An individual or company that sells tour packages and tour product to travel agents. Tour wholesalers usually receive a 20% discount from accomodations, transportation companies and attractions and pass on a 10 to 15% discount to the retail agent.
Origin: Industry

Tourism

Where consumers undertake leisure travel. As opposed to travel for business purposes
See also: Traveler, Tourist, Visitor Origin: Industry

Tourist

Traveler how moves from place to place to enjoy and experience different locations. Differs from business travel who comes for business purposes.
See also: Traveler Origin: Industry

Transient

A Guest who arrives without an advance reservation or pre payment. Contrary to representations to those opposed to Lodging, guests with reservations are NOT transients.
Origin: Industry

Travel

Leisure and other travel including travel for business, medical care, education, etc. All tourism is travel, but not all travel is tourism.
Origin: Industry