The hotel and hospitality industry is among the biggest employment generators in countries worldwide. It offers millions of jobs to people in institutions like hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies. As a result, many young individuals want to acquire the knowledge and skills for a successful career in this sector. Keep reading to learn more about the services offered by the hotel and hospitality industry and the courses and training programs to enter the field.

Hotel and hospitality services
Many people travel to different destinations for work and leisure and look out for a place to stay while away from home. Hotels provide such individuals with safe and comfortable options for accommodation. However, this is not their only benefit. They also offer hospitality services like restaurants, spas, entertainment, and travel services. Each service requires qualified and trained staff to offer the best experience to the customer. While some services are mandatory, hotels could offer others based on their reputation and capacity.

The hotel and hospitality industry provides hundreds of services, but the ones most people might be aware of are:

Bars
Casinos
Chauffeur and limo services
Concierge services
Event management
Guided tours
Gymnasium
Housekeeping
Inhouse Wi-Fi
Laundry
Rental cars
Spa and sauna
Ticketing

Jobs in the hotel industry
Hotel jobs are limited to the operations within a hotel, while hospitality jobs may extend to other sectors. Here are some in-demand jobs in the hotel industry:

Waiting and serving staff
These are employees who take care of the customer’s food and beverage requests. They present the menu, take food orders, and bring and arrange the food on the table. They are usually the primary point of contact between the customer and the restaurant.

Head chef
The head chef prepares the restaurant menu, chooses vendors, and works with the management to improve revenue. They also oversee the working of the kitchen staff.

Kitchen staff
They assist the chef in preparing food and help with washing and cleaning. They may also help unload the delivery of food supplies.

Restaurant manager
A restaurant manager is a senior professional responsible for the restaurant’s end-to-end operations. They handle customer complaints, organize the staff, and perform budgeting tasks.

Front desk employees
They greet customers who enter, assist them in reserving a room or table, answer queries, handle the billing, and coordinate with different departments for smooth operations. Front desk employees are the customers’ first point of contact.

Housekeeping
Many levels of jobs are available in the housekeeping department, such as staff, supervisors, and managers. Together they are responsible for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the rooms and common areas.

General manager
A general manager is a senior employee responsible for the hotel’s end-to-end operations. They monitor staff performance, analyze sales and revenue, and work with the department managers to meet business goals.

Besides these, a hotel has other administrative, sales, accounting, IT, and HR positions, like other industries.

Jobs in the hospitality industry
The following are a few job opportunities in the hospitality industry. These may or may not be performed in a hotel setting:

Activity manager
Cruise agent
Digital marketer
Hotel event coordinator
Marketing
Public relations
Spa manager
Tour guide
Travel agent
Wellness manager

Hotel and hospitality jobs require varied skills and experience. So, those looking to enter the industry must complete relevant courses and training programs.

Hotel and hospitality courses
Hotels and hospitality businesses employ qualified and trained individuals. One can pursue the following courses and degrees to get a job in this field:

Associate of Science in Restaurant Management
Undergraduate Degree in Nutrition and Food Service Management
Undergraduate Degree in Beverage Management
Undergraduate Degree in Hotel Management
Certificate in Specialty Desserts and Breads
Certificate of Achievement in Culinary Arts
Certificate of Proficiency in Guest Services and Concierge
Certificate Program in Restaurant Management
Master of Food Safety and Technology
Master of Hotel Administration
Undergraduate Certificate in Brewing and Fermentation Science

Importance of hotel and hospitality training
Besides getting a relevant degree, candidates must equip themselves with the skills required to excel at their jobs. Many long-term courses in hotel management provide hands-on campus and industry training as part of their curriculum. It helps students to learn practical skills like:

Teamwork
Professionalism
Effective communication
Multitasking
Empathy
Listening skills
Interpersonal skills
Attention to detail

Candidates can also sign up for apprenticeship programs and summer internships to fine-tune their technical, non-technical, and industry-relevant skills. Most schools and colleges partner with hotels, cruises, restaurants, spas, wellness centers, and travel agents for internships and apprenticeships. Individuals can train in different branches of the hospitality industry for better employment prospects.