Glossary

This Glossary is provided to help guests understand more about the rental of inns, resorts and vacation rentals. It is not comprehensive but serves as a primer for terms guests may encounter in renting specialty lodging. Not all terms apply to all properties or managers.

SunPartners

A company which owns and offers vacation rental home ownership on a fractional basis. Segments of homes, usually 2 months in length are sold to owners who share ownership in one of several legal arrangements.
See also: Fractionals Origin: William

Sunspots Network

A group of independent real estate agents and lodging managers who utilize the Sunspots central office for a variety of services that support the offering and delivery of quality vacation rentals. Members subscribe to the best practices of the lodging industry and are contractually obligated to provide a consistent quality guest and owner experience.
Origin: William May

Sunspots Resorts

Company which provides lodging services to the Sunspot Network. Those members provide management services to Inns, Resorts & Vacation Rentals in various geographic areas. The Sunspots Resorts name is promoted to consumers to establish a national and international brand name.
See also: Sunspots Network Origin: William May

Sunspotters

A program where guests who frequently stay at Sunspots Lodging properties are given special priviledges for their loyalty. Also referred to as a "Frequent Stayer" club. There is no charge for joining Sunspotters
Origin: William

Tariff

Rate of fare quoted and published by a travel industry supplier (i.e. hotels, tour operators, etc.) Usually an annual tariff is produced in a booklet form for use in sales calls at trade shows.
Origin: Industry

Tenant

A person or persons who rents a real estate property for an extended stay. As opposed to a "Guest" who rents a property for a short stay. The difference between a Guest and a Tenant is usually determined by local governing bodies such as states, counties, cities or home owner associations. Many jurisdictions consider tenants to be those who stay for more than 30 days.Tenants and Guests have different rights of use for the property.
See also: Guest Origin: Industry

Termination

The basis on which a party to a contract - written or verbal - may terminate the contract.
Origin: Industry

Terms & Conditions

The list of conditions, usually in writing and often printed on a website, that govern a contract or order. They spell out how payments are handled, what the policies and procedures are, what happens in the case of certain events. They govern the customer's comportment and obligate them to other rules and regulations.
See also: Rules, Regulations Origin: William

Time-Shares

Homes divided in ownership or use on the basis of time periods, most often one or two week each year.
Origin: Industry

Tip Envelope

Housekeepers leave in rooms indicating their name and date cleaned. Usually includes subtle reminder that tips are not required but gratefully appreciated.
Origin: William May

Tour Operator

Develops, markets and operates group travel programs that provide a complete travel experience for one price and includes transportation (airline, rail, motor coach, and/or ship), accomodations, sightseeing, selected meals and an escort. Tour operators market directly to the consumer, through travel agents and are beginning to be listed on computerized reservation systems.
Origin: Industry

Tour Wholesaler

An individual or company that sells tour packages and tour product to travel agents. Tour wholesalers usually receive a 20% discount from accomodations, transportation companies and attractions and pass on a 10 to 15% discount to the retail agent.
Origin: Industry

Tourism

Where consumers undertake leisure travel. As opposed to travel for business purposes
See also: Traveler, Tourist, Visitor Origin: Industry

Tourist

Traveler how moves from place to place to enjoy and experience different locations. Differs from business travel who comes for business purposes.
See also: Traveler Origin: Industry

Transient

A Guest who arrives without an advance reservation or pre payment. Contrary to representations to those opposed to Lodging, guests with reservations are NOT transients.
Origin: Industry

Travel

Leisure and other travel including travel for business, medical care, education, etc. All tourism is travel, but not all travel is tourism.
Origin: Industry

Travel Agent

An individual who arranges travel for individuals or groups. Travel agents may be generalist or specialists (cruises, adventure travel, conventions, and meetings.) The agent receives a commission form accomodations, transportation companies and attractions for coordinating the booking of travel. They typically coordinate travel for their customers at the same of lower cost than if the customer booked the travel on his/her own.
Origin: Industry

Travel Insurance

Purchased from a carrier who agrees to reimburse guests for some expense if they are forced to cancel their plans due to certain reasons. Usually these include death in the family, personal injury or flight delays. Highly recommended.
Origin: Industry

Travel Product

Refers to any product or service that is bought by or sold to consumers of trade including accomodations, attractions, events, restaurants, transportation, etc.
Origin: Industry

Travel Seasons

Travel industry business cycles including:
Peak - Primary travel season
Low - Period when business is slowest
Shoulder - period between peak and low periods when business is stronger, but has room from growth.
Origin: Industry