(Returning blocked rooms to general inventory)
📊 What is Release?
In hospitality, a release refers to the act of freeing up blocked rooms (for a group, agency or wholesaler) that haven’t been confirmed by the cut-off date.
Once released, these rooms go back to the hotel’s general inventory, allowing them to be resold through other channels (OTAs, direct, walk-ins). Release is typically automatic at the cut-off date, but may also be manual or partial depending on the agreement.
✅ Why is Release important?
- Prevents revenue loss from unused room blocks.
- Enables timely adjustments to pricing and distribution.
- Essential for effective allotment and group contract management.
- Supports better occupancy and inventory control.
- Helps reduce exposure to no-shows or underutilised blocks.
📘 Practical example
An agency holds 30 rooms for a group. If they don’t confirm by 10 July (cut-off),
→ The hotel releases the remaining rooms back to open inventory to sell them through other channels.
🔍 Is it the same as Cut-off?
Not exactly:
- The cut-off is the deadline date to confirm bookings.
- The release is the action of returning unconfirmed rooms to sale.
→ The release usually follows the cut-off, unless agreed otherwise.
👉 A key move to safeguard hotel profitability.
