Pearson New International Edition International pcl tp indd 1

Early Departures
PMS data related to early departures are also important in tracking and forecasting
room demand. When estimating the number of early departures, FOMs can access
many historical records; they are limited only by the limits of their PMS.
Early departures are affected by a variety of factors, ranging from changes in travel
plans (e.g., a meeting ending earlier than expected or a change in an airline schedule)
to difficulties with the hotel (e.g., an upset guest checks out early). The estimated
number of early departures can only be properly evaluated in conjunction with total
occupancy (stayovers). As seen in Figure 4, early departures, when calculated as a per-
centage of stayover rooms, can remain fairly constant, even while the actual number
of early departures varies widely. Clearly, the Altoona Hotel’s FOM should forecast
a different number of early departures when the hotel expects a larger number of
stayovers from the previous night than when it does not.