pax meaning in tourism

Understanding Pax in the Travel Industry

In the dynamic world of the travel industry, various terms and acronyms are commonly used to describe different aspects of the business. One such term that is frequently encountered is "Pax." Understanding what Pax means is crucial for anyone involved in the travel sector, whether it be airline personnel, travel agents, tour operators, or travelers themselves.

Definition of Pax

So, what exactly is Pax? The term "Pax" is a shortened form of the word "passenger." In the context of the travel industry, Pax refers to an individual who is traveling on a particular journey. This could include passengers on airlines, cruise ships, trains, buses, or any other mode of transportation where individuals are being transported from one place to another.

Usage of Pax in the Travel Industry

The term Pax is commonly used in various scenarios within the travel industry. For example, when airlines refer to the number of passengers on a flight, they often use the term "Pax." This information is crucial for flight planning, catering requirements, and overall operational efficiency.

Similarly, tour operators and travel agents use the term Pax to refer to the number of travelers booked on a particular tour or package. This helps them ensure that all necessary arrangements are made to accommodate the passengers and provide them with a seamless travel experience.

Understanding Pax Factors

When dealing with Pax in the travel industry, there are several factors to consider. These factors can have a significant impact on various aspects of travel operations. Some of the key Pax factors include:

• Load Factor: The load factor refers to the percentage of available seats or spaces that are occupied by passengers. Airlines closely monitor their load factors to maximize revenue and optimize operational efficiency.
• Pax Count: The total number of passengers on a particular journey is referred to as the Pax count. This information is vital for planning purposes and ensuring that all passengers are accounted for.
• Pax Weight: In the case of airlines, the weight of passengers (Pax weight) is a critical factor in determining the overall weight and balance of the aircraft. This information is essential for flight safety and compliance with regulations.
• Pax Manifest: The Pax manifest is a document that lists all the passengers traveling on a particular journey. This document includes essential details such as passenger names, seat assignments, and contact information.

Importance of Pax Management

Effective Pax management is crucial for the smooth operation of travel services and ensuring a positive experience for passengers. By accurately tracking and managing passenger information, travel providers can:

• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and security protocols.
• Optimize resource allocation and capacity planning.
• Provide personalized services and cater to the specific needs of passengers.
• Facilitate efficient communication and coordination among staff members.
• Enhance overall customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Challenges in Pax Management

While Pax management is essential for the travel industry, it also presents several challenges that need to be addressed. Some of the common challenges in Pax management include:

• Overbooking: Airlines and other travel providers often face the dilemma of overbooking flights or tours to maximize revenue. However, this practice can lead to passenger dissatisfaction and operational disruptions.
• Irregular Operations: Weather disruptions, technical issues, and other unforeseen events can result in flight delays or cancellations, affecting Pax management and requiring quick rebooking and rescheduling.
• Security Concerns: Ensuring the safety and security of passengers is a top priority for travel providers. Managing Pax information securely and complying with data protection regulations are critical in this regard.
• Customer Service: Providing excellent customer service to passengers, addressing their queries and concerns, and handling complaints effectively are essential aspects of Pax management.

In conclusion, Pax is a fundamental concept in the travel industry that refers to passengers traveling on various modes of transportation. Understanding and effectively managing Pax information is essential for travel providers to ensure operational efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction. By addressing the challenges associated with Pax management and leveraging passenger data effectively, travel companies can enhance their service offerings and deliver exceptional travel experiences to passengers around the world.

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pax. Abr . 1. Passenger or passengers. This usage is common among travel agents. 2. In some contexts, especially in charters and group sales, the term is used to refer specifically to paying passengers, as opposed to those who are traveling on a tour conductor pass or other complimentary fare.

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What Does Pax Mean When Renting Hotel Room?

Pax is a term used in the hotel industry to describe the maximum number of people that a room can accommodate. This number includes adults and children and is typically based on the number of beds in the room. For example, a room with two double beds may have a pax of four.

When you rent a hotel room , the term “pax” is used to indicate the number of people who will be occupying the room. For example, if you’re renting a room for two people, it would be listed as a “2 pax” room. Pax is a Latin word that literally means “peace.”

It’s often used as a short form of the phrase “per person,” as in “pax per room.” So when you see a hotel room listed as “2 pax,” it means that it can accommodate up to two people. If you’re traveling with a group of people, be sure to check the room’s pax capacity to make sure it can accommodate everyone in your party.

And if you have any questions about what pax means, don’t hesitate to ask the hotel staff. They’ll be happy to help you out!

What is the Number of Pax in the Hotel?

The number of PAX in a hotel is the maximum number of people that the hotel can accommodate at any given time. This number is determined by the number of rooms in the hotel and the number of beds in each room. The average hotel has between 50 and 100 rooms, with each room having two or more beds.

This means that the average hotel can accommodate between 100 and 200 people at any given time.

What is a 2 Pax Room?

When traveling with a group or as a family, you may come across the term “2 PAX room”. But what does this mean? A 2 PAX room is simply a room that can accommodate up to 2 people.

This could be a hotel room, an apartment, or even a camping site. The number of beds in the room will vary, but usually, there will be 1 or 2 beds. If you are traveling with a partner or a friend, then a 2 PAX room would be a great option for you.

It will give you both the space and privacy that you need. And, of course, it will be more affordable than booking 2 separate rooms. When searching for accommodation, always check the number of PAX that the room can accommodate.

This way, you can be sure that you are getting the right room for your needs.

1 thought on “What Does Pax Mean When Renting Hotel Room?”

Thanks for taking the time to explain this word.

I’d be curious to know why hotels think they need this obscure term instead of using “person”. I was puzzled by it when reading accomodation details, and had a hard time finding a definition. It doesn’t appear in dictionaries. Confusing consumers doesn’t seem like a good strategy to me, as, when in doubt, I’ll take my business where plain English is spoken.

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20 important travel industry abbreviations you need to know as you start your travel business

• March 7, 2023
• Pickles Travel Network

When you’re new to the travel industry, there’s a lot to learn. The thing that makes many new agents’ heads spin is the huge amount of travel-related acronyms they’re expected to learn and use regularly as they book trips for clients and communicate with suppliers. To help you talk the talk as a new travel agent, we put together a list of the top must-know travel industry abbreviations to get you started. Ready to dive in?

Tips for memorizing travel industry abbreviations

With so much to learn, it’s impossible to memorize every travel industry abbreviation on day one. Here are our best tips for making the process easier:

• Create flashcards. The best way to learn is through repetition! Write out flashcards on index cards and run through them whenever you have a free moment. If you’re on hold with a supplier, that’s the perfect chance to run through a few flashcards sitting next to you!
• Don’t underestimate the power of chunking. Chunking is a memorization technique in which an individual breaks down information into smaller groups or units.  For example, instead of memorizing a 10-digit number like “5834568971,” memorize 5834, 568, 971.  This trick is helpful with memorizing strings of letters as well.
• Use association. Another memorization method is to associate what you want to be able to recall with what you already remember.  For instance, if you want to remember to follow up with your client, “Sam,” on July 4th, you may think of [“Uncle”] Sam and Independence Day.
• Visualize drawing the abbreviation. When we use positive imagery to memorize things, our brains tend to retain information more.  Picture yourself on an exotic island drawing these abbreviations in the sand.  Who wouldn’t want to remember this?  As an agent, being familiar with as many travel industry abbreviations as possible will come in handy and save you precious research time.
• Use the tools available to you from your host agency. A huge benefit of working with a host agency is the education and resources they provide as you’re getting started. Instead of simply memorizing what a CLIA is, watch your host’s video training about booking cruises and how CLIA benefits you – information in context is much more likely to stick.

Travel abbreviations you need to know as a new travel agent

Ai – all-inclusive.

This term generally pertains to eating plans, meaning meals, snacks, and beverages (even alcohol) are included in the charges.  All-inclusive resorts also include gratuities and most activities.

ASTA – The American Society of Travel Advisors

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is a professional trade organization that represents, promotes, and sets the standards for travel agents, suppliers, and those affiliated with the travel industry. This is a great resource for travel industry news, learning the ins and outs of being a travel advisor, networking, and verifying the legitimacy of travel schools and suppliers. Learn more about the ASTA on the American Society of Travel Advisors website.

BTA – Business Travel Account

A company can start a corporate credit card program to purchase air, rail, and associated transaction fees with a  “master” credit card.  This is called a Business Travel Account (BTA) and allows employees to make purchases with one company card instead of having to issue cards to each individual employee.

CLIA – Cruise Lines International Association

The  Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) educates its members on cruising and distributes a CLIA number to travel agencies.  This number is recognized across the travel industry except when dealing with direct air bookings.

CXR – Carrier

When booking trips, some airlines are referred to as “carriers” and use the travel industry abbreviation “CXR.”

FAM Trip – Familiarization Trip

FAM trip stands for “familiarization trip” and is similar to Seminars at Sea (SAS).  Travel agents can visit certain destinations in order to obtain first-hand knowledge of places to share with their clients. Having personal experience and being familiar with specific destination details can increase an agent’s sales. These trips vary in price and sometimes come at a discount or special rate.

FIT – Foreign Independent Travel

FIT is an acronym for “foreign independent travel,” designed for those who desire a trip that does not follow a set itinerary or require a tour guide.

GDS – Global Distribution System

A Global Distribution System (GDS) is said to be the “brain of the travel industry.”  A GDS is a computerized network system that gives real-time data to airlines, hotels, car rental companies, travel agencies, and other travel-related businesses.

GMT – Greenwich Mean Time

All of the world’s time zones are based on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), solar-based time stemming from Greenwich, England.  These time zones ensure bookings are accurate no matter where clients live and/or travel.

GST – Goods & Services Tax

Accommodations, tour packages, transportation services, and other travel-related fees (including those for meeting facilities) have an added tax known as the Goods & Services Tax (GST).  This tax is levied in many places around the globe and these charges may be reclaimed.  Having knowledge of regulations regarding GST is highly encouraged.

IATA – International Air Transport Association

The  International Air Transport Association (IATA) “represents, leads, and serves the airline industry” in various ways.  For agents, resources are available to provide a firm foundation in travel, teach the skills needed to work within the industry, and give your clients remarkable service.

IBTA – International Business Travel Association

The International Business Travel Association (IBTA) is a global business travel association that connects travel managers worldwide and allows them to share knowledge and ideas on business travel issues.

LDW – Loss Damage Waiver

Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) is supplemental insurance pertaining to vehicle rentals, theft coverage, and acts of vandalism.  This type of insurance is recommended instead of insurance that only covers basic accidents.

MK – Market Number

All online booking tools (OBTs) issue a code at the time a reservation is made.  This is a way to track Passenger Name Records (PNRs) and fulfillment. MKs should never be removed once they appear on the PNR.

NR – Non-refundable

Any fare that does not allow for a refund is non-refundable, or NR.  In many cases, non-refundable tickets may be changed for a set fee and the difference in the ticket price.

OBT – Online Booking Tool

An online booking tool (OBT) is a web-based platform that streamlines the booking process by helping travel agents save time and money. OBTs help travel managers keep track of policies, contracts, suppliers, and more.  OBTs can also help agents reach higher compliance ratings.

OSI – Other Service Information

Other Service Information (OSI) is any Global Distribution System (GDS) entry that does not require further traveler action.  Examples of OSI are contract discount codes and additional information on family members traveling together, such as the ages of children.

PAX – Passenger

When booking trips, agents may encounter the abbreviation, PAX.  This is simply a short term for “passenger.”

PNR – Passenger Name Record

A record found within a Global Distribution System, or GDS, that contains personal client details associated with a particular booking is known as a passenger name of record, or PNR.

SAS – Seminar at Sea

A Seminar at Sea (SAS) is a trip travel agents can take to become familiar with different cruise ships. Usually short cruises, these trips offer educational sessions that teach agents about the cruise line. These trips are excellent opportunities to tour new ships as well as travel to exclusive destinations.

Remember, you’re not the only one who isn’t 100% familiar with the travel industry abbreviations!

Eventually, these abbreviations will become second nature to you, and it might be tempting to use them often to save time and showcase your expertise! It’s important to remember that when speaking with clients who aren’t travel industry experts, they need to understand what you’re talking about. Always let them know what an abbreviation means if you do need to use one, and check in to see if they have any questions. While learning these shorthands can make your job as an agent easier, your number one job is always client service!

Happy learning and safe travels!

As a new professional in the travel industry, there’s no need to be intimidated by the terminology so many others have mastered.  Use memorization tips to make the process easier and use these terms as much as you can.  Practice makes perfect and with a little effort you, too, will soon feel like an expert in the travel industry.

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Whether you’ve just started your travel agent journey, or you’ve been on it… Pickles Travel Network has the tools and resources to help grow your business. Unlike other host agencies, we believe in letting our members choose what works best for their business. Pickles Travel Network allows you to choose your commission rate, along with whether or not you want to charge planning fees. As a member, you’ll receive instant access to our list of suppliers, several marketing platforms and monthly coaching/trainings. 

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The Meaning of Pax

Pax is a commonly used term in the travel and tourism industry to refer to a passenger . It is derived from the Latin word “ pax ”, which literally means peace. In the context of travel, pax is used to represent the people who are travelling on an airplane , a train, a bus, or any other means of transportation .

The use of pax in the travel industry has become extremely popular over the years due to its universal acceptance and simplicity. The term pax is used to encompass all passengers, irrespective of their nationality, status, and purpose of travel. Whether you are flying for business or pleasure, you are considered a pax .

Pax is also an important term in the airline industry because it is often used to determine the capacity of an aircraft . Airlines use the concept of pax to calculate the number of seats available on a flight and the amount of cargo that can be transported. Furthermore, the number of pax on a flight is an essential factor in determining the price of a ticket.

In conclusion, pax is a vital term in the travel and tourism industry that represents peace and all passengers. It is used to refer to people who travel on any mode of transportation and is a fundamental concept in the airline industry.

• Glossary: Per pax

Cabaret Set-up: Cocktail tables, chairs, and a stage make up the room set. Generally, no seats will have backs to the stage.

Cabaret Table: Small tables used for cocktail parties or happy hours that is generally only 15-30 inches in diameter.

Campfire Session: Interactive breakout session in small informal groups focused on specific subject matter.

Catering Sales Manager: Hotel rep who handles food & beverage for group sales.

CRS: Acronym for central reservation system

Certified Manager of Exhibits (CME): Rewarded to planners by the Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA).

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP): Certification awarded to planners by the Events Industry Council.

Channel Management: Techniques used by hotels to optimize performance across distribution channels such as OTAs.

Charter Group: An organized group of travelers with a custom itinerary.

C&I: Conference and Incentive bookings.

Closing Ratio: The percentage of calls to contacts resulting in a verified sale.

Cold Call: A solicitation of business to convince potential customers to buy from a salesperson with no previous contact prior to the call.

Competitive Set: A group of hotels by which a property can compare itself to a competitor’s performance as a whole.

Commission: Payment made to a party for bringing business to a hotel.

Commissionable Rate Commitment: Contract where a portion of the room rate is to be paid to a sponsoring group or third party such as an intermediary planner.

Complimentary Ratio: Ratio of rooms provided at no cost to number of occupied rooms. Common incentive offered when negotiating room blocks.

Confidential Tariff: Discounted prices solely quoted to wholesalers, tour operators, and travel agents (unavailable for public use).

Convention Services Manager (CSM): Individual at hotel who oversees event operations.

Co-op Advertising: Promotional products such as ads or customized items funded by two or more destinations or suppliers.

Cooperative Marketing: Programs for marketing involving two or more participating companies, institutions, or organizations.

Cooperative Partner: An independent organization that works alongside a tourism office by providing donations or cash to increase the marketing impact of the tourism office’s program.

Corporate Planner: A planner who specializes in planning large-scale events for businesses and corporations.

Corporate Rate: A special reduced rate for guests staying on business under negotiated terms.

CPOR (Cost per occupied room): Formula that calculates the average cost of occupied rooms. Used as a KPI to monitor operating costs.

Crescent-Round Setup: Seats occupy only about two thirds of  a table so that no attendees have backs to the speaker. Generally used to quickly transform a meeting setup into a banquet setup.

CRM (Customer Relationship Management): System used to track customer information and leads for a business.

Cut-Off Date: Date at which all unused guest rooms in a room block will be released to the public.

Day Guests: Guests who arrive and depart the same day.

Décor: Lighting, table sets, props, and other elements used to create an aesthetic theme for an event.

Dedicated Bandwidth: Bandwidth available to only a specific group.

Definite Booking: Confirmed in writing.

Destination Management Company (DMC): Organization that aids planners via their extensive knowledge and connections pertaining to a specific locale.

Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO): Non-profit financed by occupancy taxes with the goal of promoting travel, tourism, and events in a host city.

Demand: Anticipated business for a set period in the future.

Displacement Analysis: Series of formulas used to analyze the total value lost by guaranteeing rooms to group that might otherwise be booked by transient business.

Distressed Inventory: Last-minute discounted hotel rooms to ensure a property reaches full capacity.

Distressed Sale: A desperate need to sell assets due to unfavorable conditions results in seller receiving a lower price.

Double Occupancy (DBL): The hotel rate covers up to 2 people in the room.

Early Arrival: An agreement with a hotel that allows confirmed guests to check-in before the standard time.

Ecotourism: A responsible way of traveling to natural areas that conserve the environment and sustains the well-being of local people.

English Service: Vegetables are served in bowls and readily on the table for guests to serve themselves. Main course is presented on a tray to the host at the table.

Enterprise Planner: An event planner that works exclusively for a large corporation coordinating brand events that range from internal meetings to conferences.

ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival.

ETD: Estimated Time of Departure.

European Plan (EP): One hotel package that excludes coverage of meals

Exposition: Another term for a large exhibit or trade show.

Extranet: Back-end of a hotel sales website allowing hotels to log in and enter all their rates, availability, and restrictions.

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F&B: Industry acronym for food & beverage

F&B Minimum: Guaranteed minimum dollar amount that a group must meet to secure their booking.

Familizartion Tours (FAM): Organized trips for members of the travel trade to familiarize them with tourism destinations.

Feeder City: A distant city that attracts travelers to gateway cities.

Fenced rate: Rate that is contingent on certain requirements being fulfilled by the booking party.

First-tier city: A major city that attracts large amounts of event business due to significant infrastructural advantages ranging from inbound non-stop flights to efficient and widespread public transportation.

Folio: An overview of a guest’s hotel account including all charges and payments made, stored at the reception desk.

Forecast: An analysis that renders revenue expectations for an upcoming period.

Forecasting Model: Models or systems used to predict KPIs.

Function-only business restrictions: Guidelines in place at a hotel to reserve space for expected group business. Also known as event-only business restrictions.

Full Board: A rate that includes a bed and covers all standard meals.

Gala Dinner: Social function that generally includes speakers or performers.

Global Distribution System (GDS): A computer software company that provides travel agencies with hardware for airplane, hotel, and car reservations.

Government Planner: A planner who manages event for government functions at the city, state, or local level.

Gross Operating Profit (GOP): The result of the hotel’s gross operating revenue, minus gross operating expenses.

Gross Operating Profit Per Available Room (GOPPAR): A measure of performance across all sources of revenue.

Gross Operating Revenue (GOR): A hotel’s total operating revenue.

Group Demand: Group business predicted for a specific period or date.

Group Rate: Rate secured for all rooms in a room block for an event.

Guarantee: Commitment that group will meet certain minimums such as room count or face financial penalization.

Half-Board: A rate that includes a bed, breakfast, and a choice of lunch or dinner.

Half-Pension: Similar to a half-board, however secondary meal is dinner.

Heads in Beds: The hospitality industry’s reason for existence, to sell hotel rooms and increase the occupancy rate of the hotel.

Hollow Circle Setup: Circular room arrangement in which tables/chairs all face one another.

Hollow Square Setup: Rectangular room arrangement in which tables/chairs all face one another.

Hot Buttons: An issue that evokes emotional reactions, issues, and legal principles in hotel contracts that causes friction between planners and suppliers

Hotelligence: Historical electronic booking data reports from Global Distribution Systems (GDS) that include information on rates and length of stay patterns, business sources, for their local competitive sets, and individual subscriber properties.

House Count: The total guest occupancy of a hotel at any given moment.

House Manager: The manager underneath the General Manager in ranking that is responsible for an individual hotel, unlike the General Manager–who covers more than one.

Icon: A famous landmark or facility associated with the destination.

Inbound Tourism: The traffic of international tourists spending foreign money contributing to the export economy.

Incidental Charges: Anything that costs extra than the hotel room rate. (e.g. parking, in-room movies, and internet).

Incentive Travel: A prized or rewarded trip to stimulate the productivity of employees.

Incentive Fee: A highly negotiated management fee provided to the manager based on incremental profitability and manager’s operational expertise.

Independent Hotel: A hotel with no affiliation with a franchise or chain.

Intranet: A private computer network using Internet to securely share part of an organization’s information within itself.

Intelligent Hotels: Hotels that use state of the art technology to run operations.

InterActiveCorp (IAC): A U.S. company that owns various online travel-related businesses.

Inventory (relative to hotel distribution): Rooms available the hotel has to sell across all channels.

Island Booth/Stand/Exhibit: Aisles are created on all four sides of the booth, stand, or exhibit .

JD Power: A company that conducts guest satisfaction surveys.

Joint Venture: An agreement between two or more individuals or businesses concur on sharing profit, loss, and control in a specific endeavor.

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KPI (Key Performance Indicator): Metric widely used as a measurement of business performance.

Lanai: A room that has a balcony or patio with an overlook of water or garden.

Last Room Availability (LRA): A combination of negotiated and group rates that allow agents to book a hotel’s last available room at a contracted rate.

Lead: Term for a potential booking that has shown interest but has not yet booked. Usually used for group business .

Lead Conversion: A lead that has been changed into an account, contact, or potential sale.

Length of Stay (LOS): Total nights that a guest spends with a hotel.

Look-to-book ratio: Rate of traffic that looks at a listing on a website compared to the number that book.

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Market Parity: The process of assessing your product or service contribution against a competitor set to define your market price and confirm competitiveness.

Market Segments: An identified group in an overall market to which a specific service appeals. This is used in the hotel industry to determine who responds to a lead.

Market Share: A percentage of business within a market category.

Mattress Run: A traveler who is staying a number of nights in order to rack up points for their frequent stay program specific to that hotel chain.

Merchant Rate: A business model used by OTAs to markup hotel net rates to sell to the public.

MICE: Industry acronym for Meetings, incentives, Conference, & Exhibitions.

Minimum Acceptable Rate (MAR): Lowest rate that a hotel will accept from a group, determined via displacement analysis.

Net Rate: A hotel rate given by travel agents and tour companies that can be marked up and sold at a higher rate to the end customer.

No-Show: Term for reservations where the confirmed party does not show up without contacting the hotel to cancel or change.

Occupancy: The measure of fill by dividing the total number of rooms occupied by the number of rooms available.

Occupancy Forecast: A prediction of occupancy for a set period that helps hotels define their business goals. Usually communicated as a number of rooms or percentage of total rooms available.

Occupancy Rate: An average of occupancy over a defined period of dates.

Offsite: A company meeting or function that occurs off company grounds and requires external space.

OTA: Acronym for Online Travel Agent/Agencies such as Expedia.

Other Revenue: Term for group revenue that is not made from room blocks or food and beverage.

Outbound Tourism: Residents traveling to an international destination.

Outside Vendor: Any supplier that is not in-house nor a preferred vendor of the hotel.

Overbooking: When more rooms are sold than are physically available to sell.

Owner’s Priority: An incentive fee included in hotel management agreements earned by a manager after the owner receives a return of a specified portion of the investment in the property.

Owner’s Total Investment: Includes total amounts spent to acquire, develop, construct, and finance the hotel.

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Partition: Portable wall or barrier that is wheel-mounted and can be used to divide a large space into smaller spaces.

Pax: Another term for number of people or passengers.

Peak Night: Term for the date of an event where the room block is the largest.

Peak Season: Season or set of dates where occupancy for a hotel is at its highest.

Pipe & Drape: Tubing and drapery that separates individual booths or stations. Usually constructed of lightweight aluminum.

Pitfalls: A danger or problem that is hidden or unexpected.

Positive Space: A confirmed reservation.

PPPN: Industry acronym for per person, per night.

PRPN: Industry acronym for per room, per night.

Press Trip: Travels with the main purpose of writing about that destination.

Preferred Rate: A negotiated rate between the hotel and a specific client.

Programme: A schedule that gives the details and times for pieces of the event agenda.

Profits Per Available Room (ProPAR): A metric that calculates net revenue per available room. Also known as Net RevPAR.

Property Management System (PMS): A software hotels use to manage all operations.

Proprietary Booking Engine: An individual or group of hotels that own and operate their Internet reservation system.

Proposal: General information about what services and products a hotel can offer for customer’s meeting or event.

Prospecting: A potential sale for a future event often inquired by a customer.

Protected: A guarantee from a supplier or wholesaler to reimburse an agent commission and client on prepaid confirmed bookings, regardless of cancellation.

Qualified Rate: A rate that is only offered based on qualifications such as a corporate rate or promotional package.

Qualifying Questions: Particular questions from hotels used to examine potential business.

Quick Set: A setup template that reduces turnover times and work between events and thus results in a price break for the group.

Quin: Refers to hotel rooms that can accommodate five people.

Rack Rate: The original price of a hotel room before any discounts or promotional rates are applied.

Rate Parity: Under certain conditions, a travel supplier, such as a hotel, keeps the same price across all different distribution channels.

Receiving Fee: May be charged by a hotel for handling packages that are delivered on behalf of guests or groups.

Receptive Operator: Specialists who handle arrangements for incoming visitors, such as airport transfers, restaurants, and accommodations.

Refreshment Break: Period between sessions of an event that is accompanied by snacks and beverages.

Refundable Deposit: Deposit that may be returned if certain conditions are not met by the supplier.

Repeat Business: Returning business generating increase in profits

Repeat Booking: When repeat business is booked on behalf of the same client.

Request for Information (RFI): Sent to a hotel or venue to request further details as to the property and event space.

Request for Proposals (RFP): Document containing the services and requirements for an event that is sent to hotels to solicit a bid.

Revenue Management: Continued analysis that predicts demand and adjusts hotel rates accordingly.

RevPar: Revenue per available room calculated on the number of rooms available to sell in a hotel.

RevPAR Index (RPI): Metric that indicates how a specific hotels RevPar compares to that of its compset.

Revenue Per Available Square Foot (REVPAS): A metric that used to calculate the performance of a hotel in regards to event space bookings. RevPAS = Total space rental revenue / total square feet of event space.

Room Block: A specific set or count of rooms that are reserved for guests in a group.

Room Class: A grouping of rooms based on similar value characteristics.

Room Nights: Rooms blocked or occupied multiplied by the number of nights the rooms are reserved.

Room Rack: A continually updated card index system reflecting occupied and vacant rooms

Rooms Management Module: An application from a computer-based property management system used in the front office to maintain up-to-date information on the status of rooms, assists in the assignment of rooms during registration, and helps coordinate various guest services

Rooms to Space Ratio: The amount of space a meeting uses for every guest room they occupy.

Rooms Yield: An equation averaging revenue from all rooms, divided by number of rooms in a hotel, divided by 365 nights.

Run Of House (ROH): ROH in hotel terms means a basic room type with no guaranteed specific amenities.

Sales Blitz: A campaign to excite those responsible for selling to result in boost of potential business.

Sales Yield: The income or profit arising from sales.

Scout Lead: A research tool to scope out potential sale lead.

Second Tier City: More appropriately referred to as a midsize city. Term for popular event city that does not meet infrastructural requirements such as convention space to be considered a first-tier city .

Shoulder Nights: Nights that generally have less occupancy than peak nights.

Shoulder Season: Period adjacent to the peak season with lower occupancy, but not the lowest occupancy of the year.

Site Inspection : In-person evaluation of the hotel and event space by a planner.

SIT: Special Interest Travel.

Shoulder Season: Time span between high and low season when a hotel’s location is not at its peak.

SMERF : An acronym for the group travel market for social, military, educational, religious, and fraternal segment.

Smith Travel Research (STR) Rate: A series of reports, monthly, weekly, or daily, tracking supply and demand data for the hotel industry.

Social Event: An event with the primary purpose of networking or celebrating a life event such as a wedding.

Source of Business: A breakdown structure a hotel uses to track how business brought in and which channel it came from.

Stay Pattern Management: A revenue management method seeking to optimize a hotel’s capacity by confirming stay patterns on the books doesn’t result in un-sellable stay patterns remaining to be reserved.

Stop Sell: The act of stopping the hotel from being booked on distribution channels, used when hotel is sold out during a certain time period.

Third Party Planner: An experienced intermediary who may coordinate site selection or end-to-end event management for a planner.

Total RevPAR: Total revenue per available room. The sum of net revenues from all operating departments in addition to rentals and other income per available room for the time period, divided by total available rooms during a specified time period.

Trade Show: Industry-specific exhibition of products or services. An exhibition of products and/or services held for members of a common or related industry. Not open to the general public.

Transient Business: Segment of business comprised of individual bookings as opposed to bookings from a group.

Transient Demand: Prediction for business from the transient segment for an upcoming period.

Transient Occupancy Tax: City or County tax added to the price of a hotel room.

Trial Close: A technique used to close a sale by ensuring the stakeholder understands the conditions of purchase and is serious about buying.

Turn: The process of completely changing a meeting room set-up from one event to the next.

Two-pack Hotels: A conjoined property of two hotels that share resources, such as back-of-house operations, but operate separately.

Unconference: Conference where the agenda is dictated in real-time by participants. Usually favors discussion and interaction.

Unconstrained Demand: The demand for a hotel regardless of any capacity limitations.

Unqualified Rates: Rates offered to hotel guests without restrictions or conditions for booking.

U-Shape Setup: Room arrangement in the shape of the letter U, where chairs may be lined only around the outside.

Very Important Person (VIP): Individual who should receive special or elevated treatment based on their role or relationship to an event.

Voice: Taking a hotel reservation over the phone.

Walk: Moving guests to a nearby hotel when overbooking occurs.

War Room: Another term for the office for meeting on-site staff.

Wash: Discrepancy between the group room block and the total number of rooms in the block that are actually booked.

Wholesaler: A third-party organization that sells hotel rooms such as sites, distribution channels, extranets, or merchants.

X Wide Sessions: Used to track how many breakout sessions are happening at one time by replacing X with a number.

Yield Management: Process of understanding, anticipating, and reacting to consumer behavior to maximize revenue. Also known as Revenue Management.

Z Hotel: A boutique hotel set in various locations around the world.

Now you know the most common hotel terms!

Although some hotel terms may be recognizable, others can now be added to your business vocabulary. Refer to this hotel terms dictionary to make sure your lingo means the same while talking with business partners.

Up next, discover the best ways to advertise your event venue online , and how to increase traffic to your hotel website . Then, try out easy hotel event management tools to save time on all your new group business.

Have more questions about hotel terms?

The hospitality industry is the broader industry that includes the hotel industry. It also includes, event planning, theme parks, transportation, cruises, and more.

Daily Delegate Rate – A per person rate for conference room rental, refreshments, catering, and any other services that a conference/meeting might require.

Room Revenue Multiplier – A multiplier used in determining the value of hotels. Equal to the hotel’s value divided by the Revenue per Room. Talking in terms of RRM helps level the playing field when discussing different types of hotels.

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What is pax?

Discussion in ' Hotels ' started by Pooja , Oct 3, 2016 .

Pooja New Member

I am looking at some hotels in Delhi for my forthcoming trip, and on a lot of hotel websites I see the phrase 'pax.' I don't know much about hotels and their phrases they use, so can someone please let me know what pax is?  

briannagodess Well-Known Member

Hi there, @Pooja ! Welcome to the forum! There are different meanings attributed to the term pax . The most well-known attributed meaning to the term pax is per passenger . So for example, if in a hotel, they have the term pax like this: Buffet at Rs. 400 per pax - This means that the buffet costs Rs. 400 per person. So if there's two of you, you'd have to pay Rs. 400 each which amounts to a total of Rs. 800. Yet another meaning attributed to it is passenger/s allowed in expense s, thereby giving it the name pax . This also means that pax can be attributed to the number of persons allowed per package. For example: Tour Package at Rs. 8,000 for 4 pax - This means that the maximum allowed persons for the tour package are four members only. Beyond that, there would be extra charges, in addition to the Rs. 8,000. Sometimes, in hotels, rooms have a maximum number of allowed persons. So you'd see something like this: Double Room at Rs. 3,000 per night with maximum of 3 pax - This means that the rate for the room is at Rs. 3,000 per night for 3 persons. If you have an extra person with you, you need to pay for the extra person, in addition to the Rs. 3,000 per night rate. If you're boarding a bus and you see something like this: Maximum capacity at 28 pax - This means that the bus can only carry up to 28 persons at the same time. Thus, it's the limit to the passengers allowed in the bus. So as you can see, the term pax is mostly used in the tourism industry like in hotels, transportation and restaurants. It mostly refers to the number of persons allowed for a certain room, package or vehicle. I hope this helps you!  

vkar Member

Many travel businesses (like hotels) use the term pax as an abbreviation for passenger. So, number of pax means number if passengers, per pax means per passenger. Doesn't make much sense in relation to hotels etc. (guest would make much more sense) but sometimes they do use it.  

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Meaning of per pax

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What does "per pax" mean?

The term "per pax" is commonly used in the travel and hospitality industry to refer to the price or cost of a service or product per person. It is derived from the Latin word "pax," which means "peace" [1] .

When you see "per pax" in the context of travel or hospitality, it means that the price or cost mentioned is applicable to each individual or passenger. For example, if a hotel advertises a room rate of $100 per pax, it means that the price is $100 for each person staying in the room.

This term is often used in the context of group bookings or package deals, where the price is calculated based on the number of individuals or passengers. It helps to clarify the cost per person and allows travelers to understand the pricing structure more accurately.

Learn more:

• What is the meaning of per pax? - Quora
• pax - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
• Quoted Guarantee per Passenger (QG per PAX) Definition | Law Insider

TravelAsker

What does “PAX” mean on a Qatar Airways flight ticket?

Travel Destinations

April 14, 2023

By Kristy Tolley

Understanding "PAX" on Qatar Airways tickets

When booking a flight, there are several abbreviations and codes that appear on an airline ticket. These codes may seem confusing at first, but they are essential for understanding the details of your flight itinerary. One such code is "PAX," which is commonly found on Qatar Airways tickets. In this article, we will explore the meaning of "PAX" and its significance on your ticket.

Decoding airline ticket abbreviations

Before we delve into the specifics of "PAX," it is essential to understand the purpose of abbreviations on airline tickets. These codes are used to convey information quickly and efficiently, saving space and reducing the risk of errors. Common abbreviations include "FLT" for flight, "DEP" for departure, and "ETA" for estimated time of arrival. By understanding these codes, passengers can easily interpret their tickets and plan their journeys accordingly.

What is the meaning of "PAX"?

"PAX" is an abbreviation for "passenger" and is used to indicate the number of people travelling on a particular flight. For example, if your Qatar Airways ticket reads "1 PAX," it means that you are the only passenger on that booking. Similarly, if your ticket reads "2 PAX," it means that there are two passengers travelling together.

Importance of "PAX" on a Qatar Airways ticket

The "PAX" abbreviation is crucial for ensuring that the airline has accurate information about the number of passengers on a flight. This information is essential for flight planning, as it determines the amount of fuel required, the number of meals and drinks needed, and the weight distribution on the aircraft. Additionally, "PAX" is used to calculate the total cost of the booking, including taxes and fees.

Determining the number of passengers with "PAX"

To determine the number of passengers on your Qatar Airways ticket, simply look for the "PAX" abbreviation followed by a number. If the number is "1," it means that you are the only passenger on that booking. If the number is higher than "1," it means that there are multiple passengers travelling together. Be sure to check your ticket carefully to ensure that the number of passengers is correct.

How to interpret "PAX" on Qatar Airways tickets

Interpreting "PAX" on Qatar Airways tickets is straightforward, as it simply indicates the number of passengers travelling on a particular flight. However, it is essential to pay attention to any variations in the abbreviation, such as "ADT" for adult or "CHD" for child. These variations may also be followed by a number to indicate the number of passengers in each category.

"PAX" variations and their significance

As mentioned above, variations of "PAX" may appear on Qatar Airways tickets. These variations include "ADT" for adults, "CHD" for children, and "INF" for infants. The significance of these variations is that they allow the airline to plan for different passenger types and provide appropriate services, such as special meals or seating arrangements.

How "PAX" affects your travel itinerary

The number of passengers indicated by "PAX" can affect your travel itinerary in several ways. For example, if there are multiple passengers on your booking, you may be seated together or assigned adjacent seats. Additionally, the airline may provide special services, such as extra baggage allowances for families travelling with children. It is important to confirm the number of passengers on your booking and any special requirements with the airline prior to your flight.

Common mistakes with "PAX" on Qatar Airways tickets

One common mistake with "PAX" on Qatar Airways tickets is misinterpreting the abbreviation or failing to notice variations such as "ADT" or "CHD." This can lead to incorrect passenger numbers and, in some cases, additional fees or charges. To avoid these mistakes, carefully review your ticket and confirm the number of passengers with the airline.

How to handle issues with "PAX" on your ticket

If you encounter any issues with "PAX" on your Qatar Airways ticket, such as incorrect passenger numbers, contact the airline immediately. The airline may be able to make changes to your booking or provide additional assistance, such as changing your seat assignment or providing additional services. It is essential to address any issues as soon as possible to avoid disruptions to your travel plans.

Conclusion: Key takeaways on "PAX" on Qatar Airways tickets

In conclusion, "PAX" is an essential abbreviation on Qatar Airways tickets that indicates the number of passengers travelling on a particular flight. Understanding "PAX" and its variations is crucial for ensuring that your travel itinerary is accurate and that the airline can provide appropriate services. By carefully reviewing your ticket and confirming the number of passengers with the airline, you can avoid common mistakes and enjoy a smooth travel experience.

Final thoughts: Making the most of your Qatar Airways ticket.

While "PAX" is just one of many abbreviations and codes on a Qatar Airways ticket, it is an important one that can affect your travel itinerary and experience. By understanding the meaning of "PAX" and its variations, you can make the most of your ticket and enjoy a comfortable and stress-free journey. Remember to confirm the number of passengers on your booking and any special requirements with the airline prior to your flight, and you’ll be well on your way to a successful trip.

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Kristy Tolley

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The A to Z of the tourism industry

Let’s be honest. We’ve all been in that scenario where you find yourself stumped with a travel acronym that you can’t quite remember! We don’t blame you for feeling frustrated by it all… travel is a complex industry and understanding (and remembering!) all of the jargon, terminology and acronyms can sometimes feel like you are learning an entirely new language.

Lucky for you, we’re making things a bit easier. Drawing from our team’s experience through creating travel software, and decades working as travel professionals ourselves we wanted to share the knowledge and create your very own Tour Operator Software glossary. 

Bookmark it for times of need, skim over it to get refreshed, or share it with your industry friends and colleagues.

Adventure Tourism

The adventure tourism industry has developed for those thrill-seekers looking for a holiday jam-packed full of activities. From whitewater rafting to dog sledging to glacier exploration, Adventure Tourism isn’t for the faint-hearted.

Average Daily Rate (ADR)

The ADR is used to track performance and measures the average income for each paid room over a certain time period. 

Business Development Manager (BDM)

As a tour operator, travel agent or DMC , you are most likely going to be working closely with a Business Development Manager (BDM). These are the sales representatives for suppliers, therefore a good relationship with the BDM is likely to serve your business well!

Blackout Dates

There are often dates when particularly awesome promotions or sales don’t apply. This is usually because of holiday periods or big events where suppliers anticipate that there is going to be an increased demand during that time.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Nowadays, CRM software is used by almost every organisation, both in and outside the travel industry. At its simplest form, a CRM allows you to store contact details of your customers and prospective customers. More complex CRM’s allow you to keep track of customers food allergies to pet names (and everything in between). Learn how to get the most out of your CRM here

Once upon a time, data would be stored on a local computer. However, the birth of Cloud computing means that platforms are able to store their information on remote servers. Meaning you can access your online information from any device at any time.

Cross season pricing

With the change of season often a change in pricing also comes for many tour operators. Tour operators may adjust their pricing in either direction to accommodate the decrease or increase in business during these times – See Low Season Travel. 

Destination Management Company (DMC)

Known for their deep local knowledge, DMC’s are organisations that specialise in offering tours, logistics, and planning services for a particular destination. Often known for re-selling their services to tour operators.

This one is just what it sounds like; how long someone ‘dwells’ or stays in a certain place. It’s relevant to the tourism industry as it refers to the amount of time a customer spends at a certain activity or accommodation – this is useful to know when planning and creating tailor-made itineraries. 

Demand-Based Pricing

Pricing does not have to stay the same all the time, it can fluctuate based on the amount of people interested in a product of service. In the tourism industry, this pricing model is commonly used and operates under the same principle as Cross-Seasonal Pricing above. As a tour operator, this may affect your own pricing or the pricing of the suppliers you use.

As more people and businesses are becoming aware of the environmental impact that travel can have, the niche market of ecotourism is developing. This type of tourism works to ensure that environmental impacts are minimised at every opportunity and is driven by both the tourist and the tourism industry. Learn more about ecotourism and sustainable travel here.

Also known as Electronic Commerce or EC, this is any form of commercial transactions conducted via the internet. For example, your customers might book and pay for their tour online, using e-commerce platforms.

Free Independent Travellers (FIT)

This is a bit of a contentious one, we found 6 slightly different definitions in our search alone! Regardless of whether the F stands for Free, Foreign or Fully, the underlying definition is the same: FIT’s are people who shy away from mass tourism and want to travel with people they know. They want a tailor made itinerary created based on their unique needs, passions and interests. They do not travel with group tours or by a schedule imposed by others. 

Fragmentation

Globalisation has meant that travellers are able to shop around for the cheapest rate and source their trip from multiple different suppliers. Read more about travel industry fragmentation here .

Far from researching everything that there is to know about every destination in the world, travel agents often go on famils. This is a scouting trip; to be able to give some insider knowledge about the destinations they are sending their customers to. Famils are also often organised and paid for by airlines or suppliers in an effort to encourage you to promote their offering.

This is the final rate that your customers pay for your service, ie. the cost plus your commission.

Hotels will sometimes offer a discounted rate for hotel rooms if you book more than 5 rooms at a time.

Group Tour/GIT

Also known as Group Incentive Tour (GIT), packaged trips or escorted tours, a group tour has a set date, price and itinerary. The itinerary may include portions of free time with optional activities to choose from but the travellers are limited to what the tour offers. The group is made up of a variety of travellers.

Heritage Sites

The UNESCO World Heritage Sites are popular tourist destinations listed by UNESCO as having cultural or environmental significance.

Inbound Tour Operator

A tour operator based in a specific destination country who plans itineraries and organises travel arrangements or conducts tours for travellers based elsewhere.

Travellers often want to stop over in a transit country to refresh when taking long-haul flights. The second flight of their journey may be with a different airline that fits in with their travel times and needs. The Joint Fare is the fare for both of these flights combined.

Carrier Confirmed. An abbreviation used when booking airline tickets.

Low Season Travel

Also called off-peak travel, certain destinations are less popular during different times of the year (think of a tropical island in the middle of the rainy season). Often, rates also drop during these times – see cross season pricing

Luxury Tour Operator

These tour operators work with often high net worth customers who are looking for a luxury holiday for them or their family. Their travel plans may include private yachts, helicopters or exclusive, VIP experiences – the sky’s the limit.

A supplier may increase their rate at a time in which there is a higher demand for their offering. For example, flights and accommodation in a popular destination will increase during school breaks where there are lots of families travelling.

Market Segment

Identifying a market segment is an ideal way to make sure that your offering is being marketed to and attracting the right type of customers. This is especially important for niche tour operators who may specialise in adventure tourism in Canada for under 30’s for example.

The price of the flights, accommodation etc without the agent’s commission added.

Online Booking System

An easy way for customers to book (or reserve) an offering online and receive confirmation without having to go through an agent.

Outbound Tour Operator

The opposite of an Inbound Tour Operator , an Outbound Tour Operator or OTO typically offers trips to a variety of destinations, some or all of which are not in the country that the tour operator is based in.

Online Travel Agency (OTA)

An online travel agency is a web-based marketplace where people can go to research, plan and book travel products or services. For many tour operators working with or listing their products or services on an OTA allows them to be seen by a wider audience.   

Pax is travel industry jargon that refers to the number of passengers ie. 2 pax. It also extends to the number of guests, diners or participants.

An easy and popular way to travel is by buying packages. These often include accommodation, travel and some meals. 

Peak Season

Peak season, also known as the high season, is the time of the year when most people are travelling to or around a destination. This means that travellers will experience bigger crowds and higher costs. Pre-booking activities or experiences well in advance may also be required to ensure travellers can do what they want to at the destination during the peak season.

Also known as a proposal, it is a document that details the planned itinerary and the costs associated with the trip. It is usually supplied by a tour operator or travel agency based on a discussion about what the traveller wants. By providing a quotation it makes it easier to compare details before selecting the ideal trip for themselves.

A company who resells and markets tours and activities for a specific destination, country, region or specialisation.

Although not specifically related to travel, Search Engine Optimisation is an aspect of digital marketing that is crucial for travel businesses in this day and age. SEO refers to the way that you can make sure your website ranks highly in organic search results – increasing your visibility. Read more about how to make sure your website is serving you well here .

You may have been to a website where an alert popped up notifying you that the website was not secure – not a great first impression, right? The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is the standard way to reassure your customers that your site is safe, by creating an encrypted link between your browser and the server. Read more about the importance of SSL certification here .

Single Supplement

A single supplement is a surcharge applied to a single person staying in a room usually intended for two or more people. The surcharge usually applies when a room is charged per person and is essentially to cover the cost of only receiving a single payment for a room that they usually get two payments for.

Travel/Trade Association

Travel associations and communities exist to service those in the travel industry who wish to network with, collaborate and be supported by others in the industry. These associations can be niche or broad and often provide fantastic resources and support to help your business thrive! There are a lot out there but don’t worry, we’ve got the down-low on travel associations and luxury travel communities for you.

TTL (Ticket Time Limit)

This is the time limit that businesses (often airlines) give for a ticket to be purchased to avoid cancellations or expiration of the fare.

Target Market

Unfortunately, no one can please everyone. That’s why when you are marketing your tour operator business, it pays to think about who your target market is – the demographic or type of people you expect to be most interested in your offering. Specialise your business offering to this target market to get more joy from your marketing efforts.

This is a payment method used mainly in China, however, Union Pay is also becoming increasingly available and accepted internationally, opening doors for many Chinese tourists to use this payment method during their travels.

From production to consumption, Value Added Tax may be added to products or services each time they are bought or resold for a profit. Also known as goods and services tax, VAT may apply when tours or activities are resold by a wholesaler. 

Waitlist (WL)

Travellers may wish to buy waitlisted tickets in order to save costs. This means that they are placed on a list and will wait to take the place of someone who cancels or doesn’t show up.

WTM (The World Travel Market)

The World Travel Market is a leading event in the travel industry, bringing together all areas of tourism and facilitating business connections and growth.

XE.com currency conversion

Currency conversion is the difference in value between two countries’ money. Determining what currency you need and the rate of exchange easily is helpful when travelling between countries.  XE.com is the leading currency conversion website with 20 years of experience in the industry.

Yield Management

The yield of your offering is the average revenue per unit of sale eg. revenue per 1 person’s airline ticket. Yield management involves understanding the times in which your offering is in higher demand and identifying the type of people who would purchase your offering. You can then calculate and manage your anticipated yield to maximise profit!

You may have seen pictures before of adrenalin-junkie tourists hurtling down a hill in a blow-up ball. These balls are called Zorbs and it might seem mad but it’s a massively popular adventure tourism activity. 

Relating to the rise of ecotourism , some areas are prone to the pressures of tourism and are zoned as such. These zoned areas sometimes limit the number of people allowed at one time, or simply notify tourists about their environmental impact and monitor the damage.

How does the travel industry actually work?

Who are the key players in the industry, where do they all fit together and how does the industry actually work?! There’s no doubt that the travel industry is a confusing space to wrap your head around so we’ve broken it down for you in this easy new resource.

Travel designers- meet the influencers you should work with.

Understand the role travel influencers play in the industry and why tour operators should be following, interacting and collaborating with them. Explore eight global travel influencers who are inspiring travellers daily.

Tourism news websites you can trust

In the tourism industry it can be hard to differentiate the reliable travel news sources from the not-so-trustworthy ones. In this blog we summarise the top travel news websites that tour operators, travel agencies and DMC’s should pay attention to.

How to set your team up for success when introducing new software

Making changes happen is hard. Especially when it is something that will create a significant impact on the way you work, like new software. We discover what change management is and how it can assist you, your leaders and your team in creating new processes that will make you more successful in the long run. Is it time for a change?

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Hello! What does 1 to 3 Pax and 4 to & Pax mean...

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Hello! What does 1 to 3 Pax and 4 to & Pax mean please?

Pax means persons or people

1 pax or two pax according to me would mean 1 person or two people especially on a buffet like dine out... correct me if I am wrong. Pax means a passenger and I am confused myself.

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• First Time Cruisers

What does pax mean?

By dm5201 , January 20, 2011 in First Time Cruisers

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I've read in some posts about pax, what is that?

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I've always known this as "passengers"

Passenger(s). Not quite sure why, but that's what it means.

It is an abbreviation for passenger

Yes, it's like a new little language they have on these forums. I'm not at all a chat room person, but you'll find all these little abbreviations that people use on here. I guess they do it to save time? It took me forever to figure out what someone's DH was. When I realized it was a husband and that they put D in front of every family member it occurred to me they mean Dear. DS=Dear Son, etc. It's kind of fun to attempt to decipher what people mean sometimes.

Also, TA means Travel Agent

Much better than my first guess.

And i thought DH was something entirely different.

Yes, it's like a new little language they have on these forums. I'm not at all a chat room person, but you'll find all these little abbreviations that people use on here. I guess they do it to save time? It took me forever to figure out what someone's DH was. When I realized it was a husband and that they put D in front of every family member it occurred to me they mean Dear. DS=Dear Son, etc. It's kind of fun to attempt to decipher what people mean sometimes.   Also, TA means Travel Agent   Much better than my first guess.

It wasn't that long ago that I was a newbie myself (back in my day we had to use a chisel to access the Internet:rolleyes:) but Pax has meant Passenger(s) in the travel industry for many decades.

Vampire Parrot

An abbreviation sometimes used in the airline industry is "SLF". It stands for Self-Loading Freight.....

TravelerThom

...Also, TA means Travel Agent...

On these boards TA also means Trans Atlantic [cruise]

I have seen "TOP" when people are talking about tables and who they sit with. I haven't been able to figure that one out...any help here? :confused:

Guessing- "Two Other People" or "Three Other People"?

Thanks! That makes sense.

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PAX: What is the origin of the term in aviation?

The origin of the term "pax" in commercial transport, particularly aviation, dates back to the mid-20th century. The term, commonly used to count people on board, is an abbreviation derived from "passenger."

In German, "PAX" is often interpreted as "Persons approximately," as seen in documents from the European Union and the Committee of the Regions.

English.SE discussions highlight the debate over whether "pax" stands for "Passengers and Passes." However, historical references, such as a 1946 issue of Air Facts: The Magazine for Pilots, reveal that the traffic department labeled passengers as "pax," while flight crews colloquially referred to them as "bodies."

The use of the '-x' suffix in "pax" is a characteristic of aviation terminology, representing an abbreviated contraction. This convention extends beyond aviation, with examples like WX for weather, MX for maintenance, CX for cancel, TX for transmit, and RX for receive.

Despite assumptions that "pax" derives from "passenger," the possibility of it originating from the merchant navy is also considered. The 'x' as an abbreviation marker is not exclusive to aviation and is found in various domains, including medical abbreviations like Dx for diagnosis and Hx for history.

It's noteworthy that "pass" isn't favored due to potential confusion with the verb and historical usage in employee travel on a 'pass.'

As a side note, the plural "PAX" is commonly used, while the singular "PAP" is remembered in phrases like 1PAP and 3PAX. This plural-singular distinction adds an interesting nuance to the terminology.

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Definition of pax

Word history.

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin, peace — more at peace

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Dictionary Entries Near pax

Pax Americana

Cite this Entry

“Pax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pax. Accessed 5 May. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on pax

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pax

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