Career in Hotel Management: Jobs, Career Path, Courses and Relevant Skills

CAREER IN HOTEL MANAGEMENT

Hotel Management is an area of study that covers a wide range of topics concerned with the operational aspects of hoteliers. Educational courses in hotel management are varied and cover topics as wide-ranging as marketing, eco-tourism, leisure, business administration, and management. Hotel management is an area of business expertise that includes: – food and beverage management, housekeeping, tourism management, accounting and finance, and food production.

On the contrary to popular belief, the scope of hotel management is vast. Hotel management is an industry that requires immense manpower. Confident, disciplined, skilled, and well-trained hotel management graduates can find ample opportunity in the industry and can pursue a successful career in hotel management. As there are several departments that constitute the upkeep and the maintenance of a hotel or a chain of hotels, ranging from Food and beverage, housekeeping, accounting, marketing, recreation, computer applications, security, public relations to a lot more. A diploma/degree in hotel management can fetch you a job in either of the sectors as an accounts manager, restaurant and food/beverage service managers, executive housekeepers, and department heads, marketing, and general managers. With the explosion of the tourism industry, there has been a drastic increase in the number of hotels and resorts in India, hotel management courses are gaining increasing importance.

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With the development of the Internet, more and more people travel, Business activities are increasingly active, Casual dining and entertainment the hotel as a place to get rapid development, In cities many hotels were created, means to provide outstanding customer service become the key competitors of each hotel, Therefore, the construction of the hotel has become a norm to give customers measure hotel service, information system become the basis of it. With the development of the Internet, Developments in the world economy cannot meet, Basic of WEB hotel management system of the overall goal established to build a sound, efficient and reliable hotel information management system, it offers good information for the environment. With the popularity of computer, applications are in the hotel, with the development of computer technology, Hotel management system developed to a new stage, The new platform, the new system features, new direction, The new system is more stable, reliable, detailed and perfect, Traditional hand no longer meet the needs of modern hotel management, Timely and accurate network management system has become a trend, The hotel management is increasingly complex, requiring the continuous improvement of the situation in.

Hotels employ front-desk staff, housekeeping staff, restaurant staff, managers, and sometimes porters, event planners, depending on the type of hotel. Most of these positions require excellent customer service skills, attention to detail, teamwork, and good personal grooming. Creative problem-solving (because travelers sometimes have unexpected problems) and a thorough knowledge of local resources and attractions are important as well. Food and beverage preparation may include customer service (for example, for bartenders or coffee baristas), or these jobs may be entirely behind the scenes (for example, line cooks). In addition to specific skills using the tools of the trade, such as espresso machines and kitchen equipment, more general abilities are required to pursue a career in hotel management. These include, again, attention to detail, plus a commitment to safety, the ability to work well as part of a team, and the ability to work quickly and calmly in a high-pressure environment. Someone has to keep restaurants, hotels, and clubs clean and sanitary. Other work includes repairing equipment, changing light bulbs, and replacing broken locks on bathroom stall doors, for example. There is substantial overlap between the custodial and maintenance skill sets, and some positions may combine both roles to some extent. These skills include everything from the safe and appropriate use of cleaning chemicals to basic electrical repair and carpentry. Teamwork is often important, as is a strong work ethic. Career in Hotel management requires skills, some that are specific to the industry, and others that are important in any management context. When applying for such a position you will have to demonstrate teamwork, leadership, budgeting, strategic thinking, customer service, and a thorough understanding of your specific business—whether that means being able to speak intelligently about food and wine for a restaurant manager, to understanding when the busy season is for your hotel and why.

Career in Hotel Management: Top 10 hospitality companies in India

• Hyatt Hotels Corporation.
• InterContinental Hotels Group.
• Marriott International India Pvt Ltd.
• Radisson Blu Hotels.
• Shangri La Hotels & Resorts.
• Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces.
• Lalit Hotels.
• The Leela Palace.
• The Oberoi Group
• The Park Hotels

One of the challenges in the hospitality industry is the issue of lower salaries as compared to the remuneration paid in other industries like IT, retail, banking, telecoms, etc. Secondly, HR practices are not standardized and there is a lack of professional approach and vision. Thirdly, there is a lack of growth opportunities as well as learning and development opportunities. Last but not the least, due to long working hours there is high employee dissatisfaction and attrition rate among hospitality professionals. Furthermore, a poor perceived image of the hospitality and tourism sector and inadequate and inefficient training and education programs are also discouraging and add to the challenge of attracting competent students. Those who are competent, committed, and talented are hesitant to opt for this industry as a career option which is resulting in a poor supply of manpower. Therefore, the major challenge before the hospitality and tourism sector in India is to bridge this gap of demand-supply of the skilled workforce. This can primarily be done by attracting and retaining talented and skilled people who can serve the industry efficiently.

If someone wants to do hotel management, then for class 11^th and 12^th he/she can take any stream like science, commerce or arts. However, there are three things that go into running a show:-

1. Hospitality Skills – This will be taught to you when one goes for Hotel management training.
2. Business Acumen:- Commerce is the best way to develop this.
3. Business Standards:- Accounting, Math ( Basic/Advanced arithmetic), which are taught in commerce will help with this.

Career in Hotel Management: Courses

Candidates who want to make a career in the field of Hospitality and Travel can pursue an undergraduate (UG) or a postgraduate (PG) course from a reputed college.

Some popular UG courses that candidates can pursue include Bachelors in Hospitality Management, Bachelor of Hotel Management, BVoc in Hotel Management, BBA in Hotel and Tourism Management, Bachelor of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, BSc in Hospitality and Tourism Studies, BSc in Hospitality and Catering Services, BSc in Hospitality, Tourism, and Catering, Bachelor of International Business in Hotel and Tourism Management, etc.

On the other hand, PG level courses that candidates can pursue in the field of Hospitality and Travel are Masters in Travel and Tourism Management, MBA in Tourism & Hotel Management, MBA in Hospitality Management, MBA in Tourism & Hotel Management, Masters in Tourism Management, Master of Hotel Management, Master in Tourism and Hotel Management, MSc in Tourism and Hospitality Management, MBA Hotel Management, Masters of Hospitality Management (Food Service Management), Masters of Hospitality Management (Hospitality Finance & Marketing), Masters of Hospitality Management (Rooms Division Management) and the likes.

In the field of Hospitality and Travel, apart from degree courses candidates can also pursue diploma or certificate courses. Popular Diploma courses in the Hospitality and Travel stream include Diploma in Hospitality, Travel and Customer Service, Diploma in Hotel Management, Diploma in Aviation, Hospitality and Travel Management as well as Diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology. Some Certificate courses that candidates can pursue in Hospitality and Travel are Certificate course in Air Ticketing & Travel Management, Certificate in Food and Beverage Service Steward, Certificate in Travel and Tourism Management, Certificate in Food Production and Patisserie, Certificate in Hotel Management, Certificate in Hospitality Management as well as similar courses.

Career in Hotel Management: Eligibility

Candidates meet the eligibility criteria to pursue a Hospitality and Travel course offered at the UG level if they have completed their Class XII from a recognized board with passing marks. Apart from this, many colleges also list additional eligibility criteria wherein it is necessary that candidates have studied and cleared English as a core subject of study at their Class 12 level if they want to pursue a Hospitality and Travel course.

On the other hand, the eligibility criteria for a PG course in Hospitality and Travel field requires aspirants to be graduates. Some colleges also specify that candidates should have secured a minimum of 55 percent aggregate marks at their graduation level to be eligible to pursue a Hospitality and Travel course offered by them. Candidates from any stream are eligible to apply for a Hospitality and Travel course but hotel/hospitality management graduates are preferred.

Career in Hotel Management: Top Hotel Management Colleges in India

• IHM Delhi (https://ihmpusa.net/)
• IHM Kolkata (https://www.ihmkolkata.org/)
• WGSHA Manipal (https://manipal.edu/wgsha.html)
• IHM Mumbai (http://www.ihmctan.edu/)
• IHM Bangalore (http://www.ihmbangalore.kar.nic.in/)
• IHM, Hyderabad (http://www.ihmhyd.org/)
• IHM Chennai (http://www.ihmchennai.org/ihmchennai/)

Candidates can secure admission in a Hospitality and Travel course through merit or the basis of an entrance exam. Most popular Hospitality and Travel colleges shortlist aspirants for admission on the basis of their performance in an entrance exam.

The test pattern of Hospitality and Travel entrance exams may vary but subjects from which questions are mostly asked include Numerical Ability, Logical Reasoning, General Knowledge & Current Affairs as well as the English language. Some popular Hospitality and Travel entrance exams conducted in India are listed below:

1. NCHMCT JEE
2. IIHM Echat
3. IHM Aurangabad Entrance Test
4. MAH HM CET
5. Christ University Entrance Test
6. Oberoi STEP

Career in Hotel Management: Job Profiles

In the Hospitality and Travel industry aspirants have a plethora of job profiles as well as opportunities that would be open to them. Thus, candidates can join hotels, travel agencies, airlines, and similar fields after successfully completing a course in Hospitality and Travel. Some job profiles that candidates can opt to pursue in this field are as mentioned below:

• Hotel Manager: Individuals working in such a job profile are in-charge of the overall operations of a hotel. A hotel manager is responsible for maintaining the standard of service offered at the hotel and also ensures that all facilities are offered to guests. A hotel manager supervises the working of the housekeeping department, ensures that good quality food is offered to guests, and is also involved with the working of the banquet department. He/ she is responsible for increasing the revenue earned by the hotel.
• Food and Beverage Manager: Professionals in this career choice need to plan, organize, and supervise the work of the catering department. People in this profile are usually entrusted with the task of interacting with guests and ensuring that the needs/ demands of customers are fulfilled.
• Front Office Manager: In this job profile one is required to supervise the work of reservation clerks, receptionists, information clerks, doorman, and the bell boy. Front office managers are also responsible for ensuring that rooms offered to guests meet their requirements. A front office manager also needs to coordinate between the housekeeping department as well as the food and beverage department from time to time to ensure that requests made by guests are fulfilled on time.
• Restaurant and Food Service Manager: Individuals working in this profile are responsible for taking stock of cutlery, cleaning supplies, linens, paper, cooking utensils as well as furniture and fixtures of the hotel’s restaurant areas. They are also the people in charge of arranging equipment maintenance and repairs.
• Housekeeping Manager: Individuals working on this job profile are responsible for ensuring that the entire hotel premises, right from the guest rooms, banquet halls, meeting rooms as well as the reception area, is clean and well maintained. A housekeeping manager is responsible for making rosters, training staff, and supervising the work of housekeepers, cleaners, and seamstresses. Housekeeping Manager is also tasked with the job of ordering cleaning supplies in a timely manner.
• Chef: They are responsible for preparing meals, training kitchen staff, ordering supplies, planning menus, managing the kitchen budget, enforcing health and safety regulations, and preserving food quality. Chefs are usually the first people to reach for work and the last ones to leave.
• Floor Supervisors: They are in charge of the upkeep of all the rooms on a hotel’s floor. They work closely with maids and bell boys.
• Steward/ Stewardess: Individuals working in this job profile are responsible for ensuring that cutlery is laid out at the hotel’s restaurants as per requirement. They also need to ensure that the banquet rooms have adequate and proper furnishings. Stewards also need to ensure that the food for room service is prepared quickly and orders are served quickly and accurately.
• Floor Supervisors: They are in charge of the upkeep of all the rooms on a hotel’s floor. They work closely with maids and bell boys.
• Cabin Crew: In this job profile, one joins the aviation industry and is responsible to ensure the safety of passengers on board an aircraft. Apart from this, the Cabin Crew also serves refreshment to passengers on an aircraft.
• Travel Agent/ Consultant: In such a job profile one is expected to coordinate and book transport and other travel requirements for clients. Travel Agents provide their services to their client who can be an individual or even a group.
• Travel Coordinator: In this job profile one is allocated the task of organizing the travel arrangements of corporates or large organizations, which can be an office, college, or university. The job profile of a travel coordinator may include booking flights, reserving conference rooms, coordinating between the organization and the hotel as well as supervising support staff.

Career in Hotel Management: Recruiters

Hotel Management and Hospitality Industry are doing great in providing young minds with opportunities. Some of the top recruiters are :

• The Taj Group of Hotels
• The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts
• Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts Group
• Courtyard by Marriott
• Airlines (SpiceJet, Jet Airways, Vistara, etc)
• Cox & Kings
• Marriott International, Inc.
• ITC Group of Hotels
• Accor Hotels
• Hilton Worldwide
• Oberoi Group of Hotels
• DePaul’s
• Makemytrip

We hope this is going to be helpful if you are planning to pursue a career in hotel management. For more guidance, feel free to connect with us and provide your feedback as well, so that we can also improve in the future.