What characterizes a 'no show' in hotel bookings?

A 'no show' in hotel bookings is specifically characterized by a confirmed guest who does not arrive for their reservation and has not canceled it beforehand. This situation typically results in the hotel keeping the guest's reservation and charging a fee, depending on the establishment's cancellation policy. This term is particularly important for hotels as it affects occupancy rates and revenue management.

Understanding the implications of 'no shows' is crucial for hotel operations because they can significantly impact profitability, as the hotel has allocated resources to that reservation without receiving any compensation for the missed opportunity to accommodate other guests.

The other scenarios do not meet the criteria for a 'no show.' For example, arriving late does not constitute a 'no show' if the guest eventually checks in; canceling a reservation beforehand clearly avoids the 'no show' label; and arriving without a reservation is simply viewed as walk-in traffic, which is a completely different situation.