It is a method applied within the hospitality industry that aims to predict customer demands, allowing organisations to best fit price and availability with an overriding purpose of maximizing revenue. Revenue management techniques require that there should always be a fixed quantity of 'perishable' resources available for sale; time being the limiting factor on sale. Revenue management techniques also take into account the fact that different customers are willing to pay different prices for the same resources - it is the customers need vs. their perceived value of the sale price.

The following are services offered within the accommodation sector that are classified as revenue generating:

• Guest Rooms: The basic service is a room in a hotel that is offered as accommodation for a stated amount of time. Hotel rooms are equipped with a bed and bedding, and usually a chair and study table as well. Guest room rates are differentiated by size and cost (things like decor, furnishings and fittings).  A guest room is perishable and has zero value if the room is not sold by midnight. Guest rooms make up the majority of hotel profits.
  
  
• Food and Beverages: Food and drink products and services are fundamental within the hospitality industry. Within the hotel environment, the food and beverage department are responsible for providing guests with morning breakfast, afternoon tea, lunch, and dinner in addition to light snacks and beverages.
  
  
• Bars: Bars within the hotel industry sell alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to guests. Light meals and snacks are sometimes served as well.  In order to operate, bars must have a valid license and abide by all laws related to the selling and serving of alcohol. Hotels often offer a number of different types of bars (e.g. cocktail or lounge bars).
  
  
• Conference or Seminar Halls: These are rooms that people rent for special events (e.g. weddings or conferences). They are a great source of income as they often require additional services which can be billed for (e.g. catering, waiter service, bars). As a direct result, these types of events often generate a number of job opportunities for qualified individuals. 
  
  
• Laundry: Laundry departments (in-house or externally contracted) are responsible for the cleaning of all hotel related inventory – like linen and staff uniforms. 

These are areas in an accommodation establishment that are regarded as a cost to the company; an expense. These expenses are comprised of the goods and services required for day to day operations of the business…

• Front Office: This non-revenue generating area ensures that the primary revenue generating areas are profitable.  Front office staff have the following job roles: advanced booking requests and reservations, check-in, check-out, handling of guest enquiries and any problems and managing guest accounts. Individual job rolls within the front office can be specialized in large establishments or generic in smaller organisations.
  
  
• Human Resources: Human resources, from managers through to cashiers, waiters and housekeepers, are what keep a hotel operating. Given the diversity of job roles and responsibilities and the interconnected relationships of each within the hospitality industry, a fully functioning HR workforce, to oversee it all, is paramount. Larger organisations will need a specific department to support these day-to-day operations. HR management requires a distinct set of skills and expertise and comes at a cost to organisations.
  
  
• Marketing: The marketing department is responsible for marketing the hotel to its identified target market. Marketing should drive sales by increasing consumer awareness of the products available. However, marketing is seen a cost to company.
  
  
• Housekeeping: Housekeeping's job is to keep the hotel clean - a hugely important role in ensuring excellence, guest satisfaction and earning repeat customers.
  
  
• Laundry: Laundry departments oversee the cleaning of all laundry – from bed linen to bath sheets, table cloths to serviettes. Laundry (and dry cleaning) services can also be responsible for the servicing of individual customer requirements that are offered at marked up fees.