Beach Resort and Spa Resort Development Writing Major Report Using APA Style of Writing
The Resort Project. You MUST select one (1) of five (5) typed of resorts listed on page 17-18 of the syllabus.
Then prepare a written report on how you would
develop this type of resort property having a room capacity of 300 rooms. Your report MUST use the information provided in research project writing rubric on page 15 of the syllabus.
ALL LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE GIVEN A GRADE OF ZERO (0). All Assignments MUST be placed in in the drop box on ANGEL before the due date.
This guide will introduce you to the proper way to plan, write and present a report. Reports are an essential part of business life, and skills you develop
now will serve you well throughout your career.
The main purpose of a report is to provide information so that others can make a decision or take action.
HOW LONG IS A REPORT?
Reports can vary in length, as long as they meet the required outcomes.
A report of one or two pages may be presented in memo format, providing a brief summary of activities. However, you are writing a long report and therefore,
a longer reports will need to follow the structure as outline below.
Before preparing a report, it is important to clarify what information is required, and how much detail the person requesting the report needs.
Sources for APA style of writing: FGCU Library BF76.7.S39 2012 reference section
https://www.apastyle.org
PARTS OF A REPORT (Suggested order when writing your report)
1. Letter of transmittal (10 Points)
* Is a formal business letter addressed to the person requesting the report.
* Make your transmittal letter as clear and neat as possible.
* Used correct business letter format and keep your letters brief (usually no more than one page, single
space).
* Include important dates or deadlines that the reader should be made aware of.
* Identify the contents of the package you send when sending a bid, proposal, or quotation in response to a
request.
* Your letter of transmittal should address your client, and it should briefly explain the title of the enclosed
proposal or other document, delineate the research completed to produce the document, and outline the
major sections of the document.
* It contains three (3) paragraphs.
Example # 1: Sample letter of transmittal
PLEASE DO NOT COPY OR REPRODUCE THIS LETTER IN YOUR REPORT FOR SUBMISSION
Collin D. Ramdeen
10501 FGCU Blvd. South
Fort Myers, FL 33965
Tel. # 239-590-1298
Email: cramdeen@fgcu.edu
February 15, 2011
Mr. Robert Freedman
Lake Las Vegas Resort
Henderson, NV 89119
Enclosure: Final Report
2. Title Page (2 Points)
Title of report
Prepared for: Name(s) of P
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
Purpose and scope of the report
Background information (location, site competitive factors and any other
relevant information) and transition into the characteristics of resort operation and management.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESORT OPERATION & MANAGEMENT
Market Analysis (determining the guest market and qualifying conditions example
seasonality factors, demographics and psychographics)
Physical Characteristics (facilities, recreation etc.)
Financial Aspects (actual or pro forma financial statement, capital investment, liquidity, and solvency
compare to the industry)
Management Team (owners? managed, chain managed, or the use of management company)
CONCLUSIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
4. Executive Summary (10 Points)
(also known as synopsis, summary and abstract)
Represents ONE PAGE OR LESS, and includes:
Why (the purpose of the report)
Scope (what issues are covered and what issues are not covered)
How (brief details of research methods used)
What (important results and findings)
So what (major conclusions and recommendations)
All covered in the same order as the report
5. Introduction (15 Points)
What is the report about?
Why it is being written?
Who is conducting the research?
Any background information relevant to the report
Scope (what will and will not be covered)
6. Body of the Report (Discussion) (25 Points)
Break your information up into sections and sub-sections using Decimal Numbering System
Confine yourself to the facts
Present your information clearly
7. Conclusions (10 Points)
This section answers the question ?what does all this stuff mean??
Relate your answers back to the original purpose of the report
Includes a clear summary of the main points
Outlines the findings of the research
Do not introduce new information in the conclusion
8. Recommendations (10 Points)
Should be written in descending order of importance
Emerge from the conclusions
They are the honest, justified opinions of the writer and include:-
What is to be done
Who is to do it
How/when it is to be done
9. References: MUST CONTAIN A MINIMUM OF 10 REFERRED JOURNAL ARTICLES (10 Points)
10. Appendices (MUST CONTAIN CONTAIN PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & DATA
(10 Points)
Contains supplementary material too detailed for the main body of the report
May include photographs, tables, charts, maps, statistics, questionnaires etc
Any inclusions must be clearly labeled and referred to in the body of the report
11. Appearance (10 Points)
It is important to present your report as attractively as possible.
Use good quality paper and be sure that the report is printed with letter quality printer and double space.
12. Style (5 Points)
Formal and therefore impersonal
FINALLY: EDITING CHECKLIST
Use this checklist in conjunction with the structure of the report guidelines to help you edit your report.
Is all the information relevant?
Has all the necessary information been included?
Is the information organized so that it clearly and effectively conveys the message?
Are the recommendations supported by the facts?
Is the report grammatically correct?
Is the report free of spelling mistakes?
Did you use referred research to support your analysis?
Did you reference all appropriate information?
Did you use space appropriately?
Is there consistency in your heading and formatting?
Is the report professionally presented?
Rubric for Writing & Grading Resort Project (See page 15 of syllabus)
Title of Report Project:
Student Name(s): Date:
This analytic rubric is used to verify specific tasks performed when writing your report project. If the task has been successfully completed, all points are
awarded. You MUST use APA style for writing your report project.
Category Scoring Criteria Points Student
Evaluation Teacher
Evaluation
Transmittal Document
It should be either a letter or a memo and include essential information:
1.The report title
2. purpose of the report 10
Title Page
Title page consists of:
1.Title of Report; 2. Prepared for; 3. Prepared by; 4. Date 2
Table of Content A separate page with the heading ?Table of Content? 3
Executive Summary
On a separate page and typically half of a page or less, containing:
1. Major findings; 2. Recommendations; 3. Conclusion
10
Introduction Two to three paragraphs stating;
1. The purpose of the report.
2. A plan of development that gives the reader an overview or forecast of the topics report covers and the order in which they are presented. 20
Body of the Report Should be divided into sections and possible subsections 25
Conclusion In addition to the executive summary a report MUST have a conclusion to remind the reader of the report?s :
1.Main ideas
2. Recommendations 15
Appendixes and
References
Appendixes – using APA style of writing 10
References ? using APA style of writing 10
Appearance It is important to present your report as attractively as possible. Use good quality paper and be sure that the report is printed with letter
quality printer and double space. 10
Style & Tone Formal and therefore impersonal 5
Score Total Points 120
Self-evaluation Students are expected to honestly evaluate their own report project before submitting it to the instructor for the final grading. This
evaluation by the students will give them an opportunity to correct any deficiencies before it is graded by the instructor
Deadline All report projects MUST be completed and turn in by the assigned deadline in the Tentative Class Schedule. ALL LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE GIVEN A
GRADE OF ZERO (0). Congratulation for taking the time to complete your research paper assignment on time.
Sign Up Sheet for Topic & Presentation (See page 17-18 of Syllabus)
All dates are subject to change.
Week Date Topics for Report Papers and Presentations Names of (5) Students For Each Topic
Week 10 3/13 TOPIC # 1: Ski Resorts
Week 11 3/20 TOPIC # 2: Beach Resorts
Week 12 4/03 TOPIC # 3: Golf and Tennis Resorts
Week 13 4/03 TOPIC # 4: Timeshare Resorts
Week 14 4/17 TOPIC # 5: Sustainable Resorts
EXAMPLE OF HOW TO PREPARE THE OUTLINE OF A PAPER FOR A SUSTAINABLE ECO-RESORT
INTRODUCTION
Paragraph # 1 Purpose & Validity of the resort property
a. Purpose is to develop a single property Sustainable Eco-Resort (destination resort P7-9 Gee)
b. Brief explanation of what is a Sustainable Eco-Resort (destination resort P7-9 Gee).
c. Location & scenic attraction ( P6 Gee). (See Appendix 1 or A)
d. Accessibility- How do you get there? (P 6 Gee)
e. Seasonality ? winter, summer or year-round resort (P6 Gee).
Paragraph # 2 Cost
a. Cost and size of land to be used
b. Cost of 300 rooms 5 stars Resort Property (P134, Exh. 10 Gee).
c. Project cost of other facilities on Master Plan (See Appendix 2 or B
d. Capital requirements- two phases (P 78 Gee)
Paragraph # 3 Conceptualization
a. Brief explanation of the project objectives- high-quality/high-cost investment versus moderate-quality/low-cost investment (P 116-117 Gee)
b. Brief explanation of development issues and compliance with regulations (P 117-1178Gee)
c. Brief explanation of the conceptualized Master Plan showing WIP (See Appendix 2 or B)
d. Classification- How is the resort is going to be branded and positioned? Luxury, superior first class moderate etc. (P 23 & 113 Gee)
Paragraph # 4 commitments
a. Formal agreement for environmental requirements (P 128-132 Gee)
b. Formal contract for construction of the resort and other facilities (P 128 Gee)
c. Contract for project financing (77-80, 132-133 Gee)
Paragraph # 5 how your paper will proceed
a. The next major section is the characteristics of the resort operation and management (MA, PC, FA, & MT). This is followed by the conclusion and
recommendations.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESORT OPERATION & MANAGEMENT
Market Analysis
Paragraph # 1 Market Feasibility
a. Define the potential markets and estimate their size and scope (P 72 Gee)
b. SWOT analysis (P 465 Gee) FURTHER RESEARCH
Paragraph # 2 Psychographic & Demographic characteristics
e. What type of customer the resort is likely to attract (P 73-75 Gee)
Paragraph # 3 Competitive Analysis
a. Competition within the area
b. Do a competitive analysis (P76 Gee) FURTHER RESEARCH
Paragraph # 4 Forecasting (P77 Gee)
a. Long range (P 471 Gee)
b. Regional (P 471 Gee) FURTHER RESEARCH
c. International. (P 471 Gee) FURTHER RESEARCH
d. Trend (P 471Gee) FURTHER RESEARCH
Paragraph # 5 Segmentation and Market potential
a. Develop market strategy (P 477 Gee) FURTHER RESEARCH
b. Positioning (P 477 Gee) FURTHER RESEARCH
Paragraph # 6 Marketing tools
a. Advertising (P 480-85 Gee) FURTHER RESEARCH
b. Promotion (P 485 Gee) FURTHER RESEARCH
c. Publicity (P 485-98 Gee) FURTHER RESEARCH
Use the outlined procedures above for the subheading, Marketing Analysis to complete the outline for the remaining subheadings: Physical Characteristics,
Financial Aspects, and Management Team listed under the major heading of ?CHARACTERISTICS OF RESORT OPERATION & MANAGEMENT.? The number of paragraphs
used for each subheading will be based on your judgment.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESORT OPERATION & MANAGEMENT
Market Analysis (determining the guest market and qualifying conditions example
seasonality factors, demographics and psychographics)
Physical Characteristics (facilities, recreation etc.)
Financial Aspects (actual or pro forma financial statement, capital investment, liquidity, and solvency
compare to the industry)
Management Team (owners? managed, chain managed, or the use of management company)
CONCLUSIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
Outlined and write your conclusion by following the guideline listed below
CONCLUSIONS
This section answers the question ?what does all this stuff mean??
Relate your answers back to the original purpose of the report
Includes a clear summary of the main points
Outlines the findings of the research
Do not introduce new information in the conclusion
Examples of Limitations (P134 Gee)
a. Location may or may not be available
b. Cost is projected based on 2007 information
c. No consultant was used
d. Developers owners and operators have limited ability to predict the future
e. Master plan is based on present trend continuing into the future
RECOMMENDATIONS
Should be written in descending order of importance
Suggestions on how to overcome the limitations
Emerge from the conclusions
They are the honest, justified opinions of the writer and include:-
What is to be done
Who is to do it
How/when it is to be done
REFERENCES
YOUR REPORT MUST CONTAIN A MINIMUM OF 10 REFERRED JOURNAL ARTICLES.
YOU MUST ALSO USE APA STYLE.
APPENDICES
This contains supplementary material too detailed for the main body of the report.
You may include photographs, tables, charts, maps, statistics, questionnaires etc.
Any inclusions must be clearly labeled (APPENDIX A, B, C or APPENDIX 1, 2, 3 etc.)
and referred to in the body of the report.
The Basics of Business Writing
Business writing seeks to express, not impress.
In the business world, you will find that your writing needs to be:
a) Purposeful. You will be writing to solve problems and convey information.
b) Economical. You will present ideas clearly but concisely ? excess verbiage is not rewarded.
c) Reader-oriented. You will concentrate on looking at a problem from the reader?s perspective instead of seeing it from your own.
The 3- x-3 Writing Process
1 2 3
Analyze Research Revise
Anticipate Organize Proofread
Adopt Compose Evaluate
The time spent on each phase varies with the deadline, purpose, and audience for the message.
