The purpose of this research was to establish a definitive definition and classification system for resorts. This was achieved by identifying and defining the various components that constitute a resort, and establishing categories under which all resorts can be effectively classified across structural, geo- graphic and consumer segments. After more than 18-months of research and over 120 interviews conducted with resort executives and professionals from around the world, a resort definition& classification scheme have been established. As a thank you for your assistance in reaching these important outcomes, results of this study are presented in this report . This report is broken into two primary sections. The first discusses the specifics of the definition while the second provides insight into the classification of properties. A special thank you goes to the Resort Marketing Special Interest Group and the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Foundation in support for this research. Without their help, this study would not have been successfully completed. If you have any questions or comments concerning the contents of this paper or would like to know more about the methods used, please feel free to con- tact Dr. Eric T. Brey of the Center for Resort and Hospitality Business in the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management at the Uni- versity of Memphis. Resort Definition & Classifications A Summary Report to Research Participants Executive Summary After conducting interviews with more than 50 executives from three continents, a comprehensive definition and classification sys- tem for resorts was established. The definition focused on bringing established aspects of the resort industry to current realities of con- ducting business. The classification system, which places resorts into four separate categories, also takes into account the current state of the industry. This summary describes the specifics of the established definition and classifications along with secondary outcomes of the project. August 6, 2009

2 Center for Resort and Hospitality Business University of Memphis |Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management 3700 Central Avenue, Suite 140 | Memphis, TN 38152-3020 | www.memphis.edu/resort Minimum Qualifications One signature amenity Five secondary experiences One full service food & beverage outlet Short-term lodging Minimum accommodations Leisure or retreat environment Resort Definition Based upon input from resort executives and professionals, an appropriate definition for the term resort as related to lodging was determined to be: A resort is a full-service lodging facility that provides access to or offers a range of amenities and recreation facilities to emphasize a leisure experience. Resorts serve as the primary provider of the guests experience, often provide services for business or meetings, and are characteristically located in vacation-oriented settings. For a lodging property to be considered a resort, certain minimum qualifications must also be met. These include: Provide one signature amenity or anchor attribute Provide five secondary recreation/leisure/entertainment experiences Provide one full-service food & beverage outlet Bed-base must include short-term or overnight lodging Minimum of 25 rooms or other accommodations (exception to minimum for properties with two signature amenity/anchor attributes) Emphasize a leisure or retreat-environment experience While minimums provide guidance as to the type and scope of property that war- rants inclusion as a resort, new terminologies are also presented. These are new terms associated with this definition and in determining property inclusion. These key terminology include: Signature Amenity : Signature amenities are amenities/attractions/geographically significant at- tributes that a resort is required to provide access to in order to be considered a resort. These include, for example: golf, ski/mountain, beach/ocean, lakeside, casino/gaming, all-inclusiveness, spa/health/wellness, marina, tennis and water park. For property-generated or man-made amenities, they need to be considered full-service to be a signature amenity. A resort is a full-service lodging facility that provides access to or offers a range of amenities and recreation facilities to emphasize a leisure experience. Resorts serve as the primary provider of the guests experience, often provides services for business and meetings and are characteristically located in vacation-oriented settings. -The New Definition of Resort

3 Center for Resort and Hospitality Business University of Memphis |Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management 3700 Central Avenue, Suite 140 | Memphis, TN 38152-3020 | www.memphis.edu/resort Anchor Attribute : An anchor attribute is a non-typical theme linking tertiary or secondary resort amenities and attributes to provide a signature amenity. To be identified as an anchor attribute, a minimum of five recreation/leisure/entertainment ex- periences linking to a common theme must be provided. Examples include: couples, family, educational, tropical, and dude ranch. Recreation/leisure/entertainment experiences (RLE-E) A recreation/leisure/entertainment experience is a secondary amenity that adds to the resort experience. Any leisure or recreation activities, which can range from croquet to beach volleyball or organized kids activities, are con- sidered RLE-E. While RLE-E is not considered primary resort features, they are important in creating the appropriate atmosphere and providing a range of activities for guests to participate in. These attributes are impor- tant, along with food & beverage outlets, in determining whether properties should be included as resorts once the signature amenity/anchor amenity minimums are met. Full-Service For the purposes of this definition, full-service shall be defined as a property that provides a range of amenities and services to address customer wants and needs. This includes offering a variety of amenities and activities, a res- taurant offering two or more meal services daily, and enhanced service lev- els (ex. concierge or room service). Resort Classification Once the criteria for considering a lodging property a resort were established, par- ticipants identified categories under which properties could be classified. These four categories can be described as, with minimum qualifications of each property, as: Destination Resort These properties are seen as resorts in the truest sense. They serve as the primary motivation to visit a destination and have characteristically high lev- els of service. Properties provide most or all amenities throughout a guests visit and provide access to substantial recreation or leisure space. Properties frequently have capabilities for meetings/business and meet the minimum resort requirements plus: Four signature/anchor amenities Fifteen or more unique secondary RLE-E Three or more food & beverage outlets Spa/health/wellness amenities Multiple shopping outlets Variety of lodging options Full-service is a term that has been applied in a variety of ways within the hospitality and lodging industries. Because of this confusion, it was important to outline specifics of what full- service meant for classification purposes.

4 Center for Resort and Hospitality Business University of Memphis |Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management 3700 Central Avenue, Suite 140 | Memphis, TN 38152-3020 | www.memphis.edu/resort Resort Typology Destination Resort Intermediate Resort Intermediate-Access Resort Specialized Resort Intermediate Resort These properties can serve as the primary reason to visit a destination but guests can have additional motivations for visiting the resort. Properties fre- quently provide access to substantial recreation and leisure space and are removed from major population centers. They are very similar to destination resort properties except for their limited scope of signature or anchor ameni- ties. These properties meet the minimum resort requirements plus provide: Two signature/anchor amenities Ten or more unique secondary RLE-E Two or more food & beverage outlets Intermediate-Access Resort These properties are typically located in vacation destinations or densely populated areas. They are frequently clustered together and provide access to geographically-significant signature amenities (ex. ski, beach). Properties may not serve as the primary attraction for guests but provide adequate recreation/leisure/entertainment experiences to engage guests throughout their stay. These properties must meet the minimum resort requirements plus provide: Two signature/anchor amenities Ten or more unique secondary RLE-E Two or more food & beverage outlets Provide direct access to external recreation or leisure experi- encesSpecialized Resort These properties can be found in any location and provide a focused experi- ence around one signature amenity or anchor attribute. Properties generally tailor the guest experience around the primary amenity or attribute and are typically smaller in size. These properties can serve as the primary attraction for guests or as a complement to the destination. These properties must meet the minimum resort requirements of: Provide one signature amenity or anchor attribute Provide five secondary RLE-E Provide one full-service food & beverage outlet Bed-base must include short-term or overnight lodging Minimum of 25 rooms or other accommodations (exception to minimum for properties with two signature amenity/anchor attrib- utes) Emphasize a leisure or retreat-environment experience

5 Center for Resort and Hospitality Business University of Memphis |Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management 3700 Central Avenue, Suite 140 | Memphis, TN 38152-3020 | www.memphis.edu/resort Faux Resort Properties Vacation Retreat False-Positive Integrated Destination Development Faux Resort Properties These are established strictly for providing a category where properties can be lo- cated that have been traditionally viewed as resorts but fail to meet established re- quirements. These properties are not resorts by definition but have been identified by proprietors as resorts to increase value or for their resort qualities by consumers. Vacation Retreat These properties have been traditionally identified as resorts by consumers for their escapism qualities but dont meet the minimum resort requirements. They are small in size and located on or have direct access to a geographi- cally signature amenity, such as a lake or beach. These properties have mul- tiple buildings, such as multiple cabins with a main lodge, and a couple of minor amenities that differentiate them from other types of lodging proper- ties. False-Positive These are properties that have been incorrectly identified as resorts, either through deliberate self-appointed methods or by general consumer and in- dustry misconceptions. These properties may have resort attributes but do not meet the base requirement of having a signature amenity or anchor at- traction. Example of false-positive resorts include: roadside highway resorts, cruise ships as floating resorts and beach/ski hotels that dont meet minimum requirements for an intermediate-access resort. Integrated Destination Development (Mega Resort) These properties are identified for their immense size, extensive amenity of- ferings and the presence of multiple lodging facilities within one self- contained community or destination. These developments often have a resi- dential component, provide resort-oriented amenities and can contain one or more resorts or other lodging facilities. These are not to be confused with resort destinations, such as ski or seaside cities, with a key example being City Center, Las Vegas. Results of this study also established categories for those properties that have been incorrectly viewed as resorts, identified as faux or false-positive, either by pro- prietors to increase property value or by consumers because of their resort quali- ties. -The New Definition of Resort

6 Center for Resort and Hospitality Business University of Memphis |Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management 3700 Central Avenue, Suite 140 | Memphis, TN 38152-3020 | www.memphis.edu/resort Taxonomy Rules Time-consumption rule Gaming only correction Destination amenity rider Destination amenity stan- dards address golf, ski, beach and spa Taxonomy Rules To appropriately categorize resorts given the differentiation of product offerings, additional rules were needed to clarify classifications. These rules included: 1. Time-consumption rule. Given that properties must provide enough amenities to keep guests engaged, properties located in densely popu- lated locations are assessed a one signature amenity and three RLE-E penalty. This correction provides separation from intermediate-access resorts and false-positive properties. 2. Gaming-only correction. This rule limits the inclusion of gaming-only properties that do not offer additional amenities. This removes any gam- ing-only property and provides that gaming only counts as a signature amenity if accompanies by an additional signature amenity. 3. Destination amenity rider. This provides an outline where amenities that are most closely associated with resorts (golf, ski, beach, spa) can be val- ued as two signature amenities or anchor attributes. A destination amen- ity can be described as: These amenities serve as a focal point of the resort experience and as a primary driver for a guests visit. Destination amenities are often indicated in the title of a resort to specify the type of experience and count as two signature amenities because of their size and scope. In general, for an amenity to be considered a destination amenity it must be a focal point of the resort experience, be a quality product, and have a range of secondary items relating to and supple- menting the amenity. For each of the four amenities most closely associated to the resort product, specific rules were created to identify their destination amenity status. These included: Golf To be considered a destination amenity, there must be 27 holes of golf on property with one signature course, practice facility, a range of golf- amenities to indicate golf as an anchor attribute, and educational or training content relating to golf. The resort must also be in a golf-destination where additional courses are available for play. For a resort with 36 holes or more, the property does not need additional holes available but must adhere to remaining minimums. The destination amenity rule outlines four amenities that have been most closely associ- ated with resorts. Additional amenities can be considered destination amenities but must be considered the focus of the resort and produce significant revenue relating to that activ- ity.

7 Center for Resort and Hospitality Business University of Memphis |Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management 3700 Central Avenue, Suite 140 | Memphis, TN 38152-3020 | www.memphis.edu/resort In order to test the applicability of these classifications, future research will look at the potential differences between these established segments from operational and consumer perspectives. This study only represents the first step in the applying the new definition of resorts. To learn more about this topic and how the Center for Resort and Hospitality Business in the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management at the University of Memphis can help you, please con- tact: Eric T. Brey, Ph.D. Assistant Professor and AT&T Fellow Director, Center for Resort and Hospitality Business 3700 Central Ave., 140G Memphis, TN 38152 (p) 901.277.3480 (f) 901.678.0034 Ski To be considered a destination amenity for a property located in a ski des- tination (ex. Vail), the property must have one dedicated lift for their guests, direct access to multiple runs, and a range of amenities and activities to in- dicate skiing as an anchor attribute. For resorts outside of ski destinations, they must have access to a private hill, multiple lifts, five or more runs, and a range of amenities and activities to indicate skiing as an anchor attribute. Beach To be considered a destination amenity, the resort must be located on the beach (not just access to), have guest-only amenities on the beach, and amenities and activities to indicate the beach as an anchor attribute. Spa To be considered a destination amenity, a resort must offer a range of ac- tivities that include both wet & dry treatments. The spa must offer services that address the areas of health, fitness, and beauty. Properties must also exhibit the sanctuary effect for spa goers and provide a secluded area specifically for guests (i.e., lobby, locker room, garden).

ResortFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Resorts combine a hotel and a variety of recreations, such asswimming pools, shown here in San Diego, California

Kayakingprovided by a lakeside resort inJasper, AlbertaAresortis a place used forrelaxationorrecreation, attracting visitors forvacationsand/ortourism. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company.Towns which are resorts or wheretourismor vacationing is a major part of the local activity are sometimes calledresort towns. If they are by the sea they are calledseaside resorts. Inland resorts includeski resorts,mountain resortsandspa towns. Towns such asSochiinRussia,Sharm el SheikhinEgypt,Barizoin Spain,Cortina d'Ampezzoin Italy,Druskininkaiin Lithuania,CancninMexico,Newport, Rhode Island, in the USA,Ischglin Austria,St. Moritzin Switzerland,Blackpoolin England andMalamJabbain Pakistan are well-known resorts.In North American English, the term "resort" is now also used for a self-contained commercial establishment which attempts to provide for most of a vacationer's wants while remaining on the premises, such as food, drink,lodging,sports,entertainment, andshopping. The term may be used to identify ahotelproperty that provides an array of amenities and typically includes entertainment and recreational activities. A hotel is frequently a central feature of a resort, such as theGrand HotelatMackinac Island, Michigan. A resort is not always a commercial establishment operated by a single company, although in the late twentieth century this sort of facility became more common.TheWalt Disney World Resortis a prominent example of a modern, self-contained commercial resort. Self-contained resorts are common in the United States but exist throughout the world. Resorts are especially prevalent inCentral Americaand theCaribbean. Closely related to resorts are convention and large meeting sites. Generally these occur in cities where special meeting halls, together with ample accommodations as well as varied dining and entertainment, are provided.Contents[hide] 1Resort towns 1.1Island resorts 1.2Seaside resorts 1.3Ski resorts 2Self-contained resorts 2.1Destination resort 2.2All-inclusive resort 2.3Recreation 3See also 4References 5External linksResort towns[edit]Main article:Resort townIsland resorts[edit]Anisland resortis an island or an archipelago that contains resorts, hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions and its amenities.Seaside resorts[edit]

Miami Beachin FloridaSeaside resortsare located on acoast. In theUnited Kingdom, many seaside towns have turned to other entertainment industries, and some of them have a good deal of nightlife. The cinemas and theatres often remain to become host to a number ofpubs,bars,restaurantsandnightclubs. Most of their entertainment facilities cater to local people and thebeachesstill remain popular during the summer months. Although international tourism turned people away from British seaside towns, it also brought in foreign travel and as a result, many seaside towns offerforeign languageschools, the students of which often return to vacation and sometimes to settle.Ski resorts[edit]In Europe and North America, ski resorts are towns and villages in ski areas, with support services for skiing such as hotels andchalets, equipment rental,ski schoolsandski liftsto access the slopes.Self-contained resorts[edit]

Banff Springs Hotel,Banff,Alberta,CanadaDestination resort[edit]Adestination resortis a resort that contains, in and of itself, the necessary guest attraction capabilitiesthat is to say that a destination resort does not need to be near a destination (town, historic site, theme park, or other) to attract its public. A commercial establishment at a resort destination such as a recreational area, a scenic or historic site, a theme park, a gaming facility or other tourist attraction may compete with other businesses at a destination. Consequently, another quality of a destination resort is that it offers food, drink, lodging, sports and entertainment, and shopping within the facility so that guests have no need to leave the facility throughout their stay. Commonly these facilities are of higher quality than would be expected if one were to stay at a hotel or eat in a town's restaurants. Some examples are Atlantis in theBahamas, theWalt Disney World ResortnearOrlando, Florida, USA, Costa do SaupeinNortheastern Brazil, Laguna Phuket inThailandand Sun City near Johannesburg inSouth Africa.All-inclusive resort[edit]

The Paradise Resort in theCatskillsAn all-inclusive resort charges a fixed price that includes most or all items. At a minimum, most inclusive resorts include lodging, unlimited food, drink, sports activities, and entertainment for the fixed price. In recent years, the number of resorts in the United States offering "all-inclusive" amenities has decreased dramatically; in 1961, over half offered such plans and in 2007, less than tenpercentdo so.[1]All-inclusive resorts are found in theCaribbean, particularly inDominican Republic, and elsewhere. Notable examples areClub MedandSandals Resorts.An all-inclusive resort includes a minimum of three meals daily,soft drinks, mostalcoholic drinks, gratuities and possibly other services in the price.[2]Many also offer sports and other activities included in the price as well. They are often located in warmer regions. The all-inclusive model originated in theClub Medresorts which were founded by the BelgianGrard Blitz.[3]Some all-inclusive resorts are designed for specific vacation interests. For example, certain resorts cater to adults, while even more specialized properties accept couples only. Other all-inclusive resorts are geared toward families, with facilities like craft centers, game rooms and water parks to keep children of all ages entertained. All inclusive resorts are also very popular locations for destination weddings.Recreation[edit]Aspa resortis a short term residential/lodging facility with the primary purpose of providing individual services for spa-goers to develop healthy habits. Historically many such spas were developed at the location of natural hot springs or sources of mineral waters. Typically over a seven-day stay, such facilities provide a comprehensive program that includes spa services, physical fitness activities, wellness education, healthy cuisine and special interest programming.

A Resort swimming pool,Marawila,Sri LankaGolf resorts are resorts that cater specifically to the sport ofgolf, and include access to one or more golf course and or clubhouse. Golf resorts typically provide golf packages that provide visitors with all greens and cart fees, range balls, accommodations and meals.

A view of a typical ski resort and ski liftsIn North America a ski resort is generally a destination resort in a ski area, and is less likely to refer to a town or village.A resort can be an expensive vacations and often boasts many visitor activities and attractions such asgolf, watersports,spaand beauty facilities,skiing, natural ecology and tranquility. Because of the extent of amenities offered, a it may be considereddestination resort.

TheLas Vegas stripin 2009A megaresort is a type ofdestination resortwhich is of an exceptionally large size, such as those along theLas Vegas Strip. InSingaporeanintegrated resortis a euphemism for acasino-based destination resort.Aholiday villageis a type of self-contained resort in Europe, where the accommodation is generally invillas. Aholiday campin the United Kingdom refers to a resort where the accommodation is inchalets. The term "holiday park" is used for a resort where the accommodation includesstatic caravansand chalets.A famous historic resort of the ancient world wasBaiae,Italy, popular over 2,000 years ago.Capri, an island nearNaples, Italy, has attracted visitors since Roman times. Another famous historical resort wasMonte NenearRogers, Arkansas, United States, which was active in the early 20th century. At its peak more than 10,000 people a year visited its hotels. It closed in the 1930s, and was ultimately submerged underBeaver Lakein the 1960s.

A hotel is a facility that provides accommodations (bed & bath basically) for transients like travellers and tourists. e.g.,Holiday Innsall over the USA

A resort is a recreational complex that normally has a center of attraction, like a beach, a garden park, a swimming pool and a restaurant. e.g.,Boracay Beach Resortin the Philippines

A resort hotel combines the amenities of a regular hotel and a resort. e.g.Lagen Island Resortin El Nido (Palawan, Philippines)cynicrickanswered6 years agoA resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns such as Sochi in Russia, Newport, Rhode Island or St. Moritz, Switzerland, or larger regions, like the Adirondack Mountains or the Italian Riviera. A resort is not merely a commercial establishment operated by a single company, although in the late twentieth century this sort of facility became more common. Such a self-contained resort attempts to provide for all or most of a vacationer's wants while remaining on the premises, such as food, drink, lodging, sports, entertainment, and shopping.

The term "resort" sometimes is misused to identify a hotel that does not provide the other amenities required of a full resort. However, a hotel is frequently a central feature of a resort, such as the Grand Hotel at Mackinac Island, Michigan. Towns that contain resortsor where tourism or vacationing is a major part of the local activityare often called resort towns.

The Walt Disney World Resort is a prominent example of a modern, self-contained commercial resort. Resorts exist throughout the world, increasingly attracting visitors from around the globe. Thailand, for instance, has become a popular destination. Resorts are especially prevalent in Central America and the Caribbean.

Closely related to resorts are convention and large meeting sites. Generally these occur in cities where special meeting halls, together with ample accommodations as well as varied dining and entertainment are provided.

Belle3681answered6 years agoA hotel has rooms that open to the interior of the building, along a hallway, and is multi-storied.

A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations.

a Resort Hotel is the combination of the 2 defined seperately.

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What Is a Resort?AnswerA resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company. A hotel is frequently a central feature of a resort. The Walt Disney World Resort is a prominent example of a modern, self-contained commercial resort. Resorts are especially prevalent in Central America and the Caribbean.

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A resort refers to a place which is a popular destination for vacations and recreation and which is frequented for a particular purpose by tourists. It also means the action of turning to or adopting a strategy or course of action especially a disagreeable or an undesirable one so as to resolve a complex situation.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A resort is a place used for relaxation, vacation or as a daytime getaway. While this can be a single building such as a hotel, it also can be an entire island or a ship at sea. One of the most desirable aspects of a resort is that visitors are freed from most daily responsibilities, which are usually taken care of by the facility's staff. Several activities are normally offered at resorts, including massages, meals, cosmetic treatments and live entertainment.There are many types of resorts. Some cater to a certain audience, such as families or single adults, while others attempt to have a broader appeal. Depending on the philosophy behind the resort, the staff might strive to meet every need the guests have, allowing them to relax quietly. Alternately, some resorts might provide vigorous guided physical activities such as mountain climbing or hiking.Different resorts often provide very different experiences. Some operate like a luxury hotel and give their clients a day or two of complete relaxation. Other resorts function like miniature cities, even providing long-term housing for those who want an extended stay. Larger locations can sometimes have entire shopping malls within their boundaries, complete with a selection of restaurants and other stores.A resort also can be built around a single theme. This theme could be anything from a favorite movie to a historical time period. Resorts that are built around a specific theme usually offer activities and events that are somehow associated with it, such as horse riding lessons in a Western-themed ranch.The actual location of the buildings also can be used to define some resorts. A beach or ski resort is an example of this. Even though there might be many natural or manmade attractions in the immediate area, the resort itself is actually defined as the destination.A collection of industry definitions has been established that allow a location to be uniformly classified as a resort. A proper resort, according to these standards, offers their patrons at least one signature amenity, which is defined as the main activity the visitors can enjoy. There also is the inclusion of at least five secondary experiences, such as spa offerings, sports activities and hiking trails that can be utilized. Finally, they should provide their guests with rooms for the night and offer some type of dining opportunity. These distinctions are used to tell which destinations are resorts, which are simply hotels, and which ones fall into neither category.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is a resort hotel? A resort hotel is like a mini-village, with everything any discerning guest could ever need without leaving the premises. Think large-scale, gorgeous accommodations, big, beautiful grounds, and a seriously impressive slew of amenities -- golf courses, swimming pools, tennis courts, etc.Hg2's selection of resort hotels is a cut above your average, with everything a style-savvy hedonist could ever need all in one place. Why bother checking-out?