Products and Services

Question 1

What is a product?

Answer 1

Something you can buy but it could also be something you rent or hire for a period of time (e.g. a rental car or a hired suit)

Question 2

What is a service?

Answer 2

Something that is provided for customers, to make their visit more enjoyable. Services could include a gym, a restaurant, meeting rooms, golf course or swimming pool.

Question 3

What is a personal service?

Answer 3

Things done especially for you by others (e.g. massage, tennis lesson, laundry, valet your car etc.)

Question 4

What three products do hospitality businesses provide for their customers?

Answer 4

• Food (yours to eat)
• Beverages (yours to drink)
• Accommodation (yours for a time only)

Question 5

What sources of information on products and services can hospitality service provide for customers?

Answer 5

• Menus show what dishes are available and what ingredients have been used. Wine lists and drinks menus provide information on beverages.
• Brochures and leaflets give information on opening hours and what facilities or personal services are available.
• A tariff is a price lists of the rooms and this should be displayed at reception or outside a hotel or B+B.

Question 6

What does a service consist of?

Answer 6

• Hotels may provide restaurants where customers can eat, and bars where they can drink - these are both services.
• Facilities like swimming pools, spa or a gym are also examples of services provided to make the stays of guests more enjoyable.
• Big hotels can provide facilities for conferences, weddings and other types of events - these are services too.