Each unit of comparison is better s

Each unit of comparison is better suited to certain revenue or expense categories than others. The applicability of certain units is due to specific relationships that cause various revenues and expenses to react differently to changes in occupancy, average room rate, and food and beverage volume. For example, if a revenue or expense category is primarily fixed, then greater emphasis should be placed on the dollars per available room as a unit of comparison, since it remains fixed even when revenues change. If the category varies in relation to changing occupancy levels or average room rates, the appropriate unit of comparison would be percentage of rooms or total revenue data, which will change in accordance with changes in revenues. Exhibit 11-4 shows the primary units of comparison used in the analysis of hotel financial data along with the factors that affect the sensitivity of these units. Listed next to each unit of comparison are the revenue and expense categories best suited for the particular form of comparison.