Adding Value to Constructed Facilities: Facilities Management Hospitality Case Study

Abstract

This paper discusses recent research on the benefits of facilities management (FM) in the hospitality industry and how the application of FM can contribute to the derivation of value by users, hotel owners, and employees. The paper also discusses the research instrument used, which is comprised of a survey questionnaire and the repertory grid technique. The term, practice and research into FM, has been more prevalent in environments where constructed facilities form part of the non-core activities of the organization. In hotels, a very large proportion of the product relates to the management of the core activities that center on built facilities. There is a need for life cycle planning of these facilities, their capacity, use and proactive maintenance policy, as well as the resources needed to cope with changing demands. Factors such as life cycle costing, productivity, performance values, and legislative change drive FM. This paper argues that owners/owner managers in the hospitality business, who are more proactive in the management of their constructed facilities, achieve higher occupancy rates, profitability, and repeat of business.