For resorts, it's a critical time to find all the revenue streams possible during this time of economic uncertainty—room rates are flat, credit is tight and fuel prices are setting record highs.

However, resorts can generate ancillary revenue in many different ways. The recent Resort Best Practices Initiative from Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International shows resorts share 160 best practices to generate revenue, including ideas for spas, food and beverage, golf courses, partnerships and promotions.

By sharing ideas, resorts can help speed time to market, eliminate false starts and stops and provide an opportunity to learn from others in the industry.

Here's a sampling of revenue ideas:

Capturing the experience

Take advantage of the Internet and use multimedia presentations to expose potential travelers to the spirit of your destination. The Mauna Lani Resort in Hawaii, for instance, offers eight videos on its Web site. The clips provide an overview of everything from the resort and spa to golf and sea adventures. Feeling the experience before they arrive can spur potential guests to make that reservation.

Customized food

There's a growing appetite for groceries that can be delivered to a room, saving guests a trip to town. The General Store at The Canyons Grand Summit Hotel in Park City, Utah, lets guests submit online pre-orders for a wide variety of food, including milk, soda, coffee, tea, hamburger patties, sliced turkey, bread and cookies.

Family fairways

Golf resorts are finding green on their greens through promotions that promote family-friendly golf packages, suitable for both beginners and low handicappers. The Pinehurst Resort offers a "Family Fairways" promotion from Memorial Day through Labor Day with a rate that includes up to six people, free rental clubs and a one-hour beginners clinic.

For more proven concepts regarding generating ancillary revenue, visit .

Barry Brown is the director of sales and marketing for Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. Perry Goodbar is vice president for hospitality sales and business development for Colonial Williamsburg Hotels in Williamsburg, Va.

Article appeared originally in Hotel & Motel Management