About Geographical Data

From the Configuration>Profile>Geographical Data menu, you can set up geographical information to increase the accuracy and consistency of information entered in the state, country or province fields for individual reservations and check in. Consistent entry in the address fields is critical for guest presentation and controlling the number of guest history records created for the same person and reporting. The data stored from the Geographical Data menu options are used in building qualified lists, letters, promotions, prospect brochures, and unlimited reports for marketing purposes. The entries appearing in these screens will display in the OPERA Profile screens as lists of values for ease of use by reservation agents.

A good marketing strategy will always take advantage of the geographical data available to effectively target a specific market or to research inter-continental demographic and environmental data and information. OPERA tracks a wide array of personal guest history and requested details with significantly more flexibility than many other systems. OPERA tracks for first time and repeat guests. All data is easily queried and retrieved.

Configurable Geographical Data features include:

• Languages - Define language codes to be used to translate interface texts, messages and folios into any configured language.
• Nationalities - Define nationalities used for statistical and financial reporting segmenting the guests that are staying at your property.
• Regions - Define regions that can be used to group countries for marketing purposes and reporting.
• Countries - Define the countries to track to maintain guest country statistics for profiles.
• States - State (or province) information may be used when specifying mailing addresses as part of OPERA profiles. States are also used when creating districts; geographical designations that provide flexibility in reporting, data collection, and marketing campaigns.
• Districts - Set up geographical entities for marketing or reporting. Districts can include states/provinces, cities and postal codes.
• Cities and Postal Codes - Countries, states or provinces, and cities can be associated with postal codes. Defining them can simplify preparing profiles using the Profile screen.
• Distance Types - Define various units for measuring distance (kilometers, miles, inches).
• Destinations - Destinations codes define geographic areas using a multi-level system that moves from the highest or most general level, to the lowest or most specific level. These levels are linked to one another to allow evaluation of business on any of the associated levels. All properties can be linked to a Destination, usually at the lowest level.

  Note: Destinations are provided for information only unless the SFA version of Sales & Catering is installed.

• Custom - Configure various definitions with guest service in mind tailored to specific hotel needs and operations.

Birth Country - Properties wishing to include the name of a birth country as part of the profile data can do so by screen painting the Birth Country field on the Profile screen.

ID Country - The ID Country field may be screen painted onto the Profile screen More Fields tab in order to display a list of countries issuing ID media. Staff may then make a selection from this standard list when verifying guest IDs.

ID Type - The ID Type field may be screen painted onto the Profile screen More Fields tab in order to display a list of acceptable identification media. Examples include passport, driver license, military ID, etc. Staff may then make a selection from this standard list when verifying guest IDs.

Tax Category - Tax Categories display a list of acceptable tax categories for the individual, and can be screen painted onto the Profile screen More Fields tab. Staff may then make a selection from this standard list.

Tax Office - The Tax Office field may be screen painted onto the Profile screen More Fields tab in order to display a list of acceptable tax office locations.

Tax Type - Tax Type displays a list of acceptable tax types, which can be screen painted onto the Profile screen More Fields tab. Staff may then make a selection from this standard list when entering the guest tax type.

Fiscal Guest Type - OPERA provides the ability to draw statistics about revenue, room nights etcetera by account type. Accounts must be divided by the type of business that is being generated. Use the Account Types setup to manage account types for a property or chain. Is this piece of business from a local business or an international business? This information can then generate statistical reports to show where a property's Group business is being generated from.