Why Hotel Management?

Why Hotel Management?

What is Hospitality Industry?

Before I talk about Hotel Management let me first demystify Hospitality Industry.

The Hospitality industry covers a wide range of organizations offering Food Service & Accommodation. Sectors include Hotels / Resorts, Restaurants, Fast food outlets, Discotheques, Bars & Pubs, Banquet, Meeting & Events venues, Gaming, Entertainment & recreation, tourism services etc.

To get into this profession, apart from a minimum qualification of 3 year Diploma or a Degree after 10+2 from a reputed Institution, having the right attitude is most important. The individual must have an outgoing & pleasant personality, capacity for hard work and a liking for interacting with people. Also should be disciplined, committed & dedicated towards work.

With these essentials, an immediate employability is almost guaranteed.

Industry facts

According to reports published by Tourism Ministry, India needs 150,000 hotel rooms over the next three years, two-thirds of which would be rooms meant for 3-4 star category.

As per the reports by HVS Hospitality Services, there are around 40 International hotels, which are expected to be operational in the country in the next 3 years. These global chains are now entering the full range from 3 stars to 5 star hotels.

US-based MGM Mirage Hospitality, Amari from Thailand, Fairmont Raffles Hotels, Golden Tulip Hotels, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, Corinthia Hotels group from Europe are among the chains that are set to come to India. Then there are Domestic chains like Taj, Oberoi’s, Sarovar group, Lemon tree, Citrus, Keys, The Lalit which have huge expansion plans.

Why Hotel Management?

It is a glamorous profession which has a bright future. With the growth of Hotel industry propelled by foreign & domestic tourism and business travel, the demand for well trained quality personnel too has grown impressively.

To be able to work in Hotel Industry after 10+2, a student must pursue a 3 or 4 year degree in Hotel Management from India or abroad. It is not essential to do a Post graduation in Hotel Management as Job offers at entry level are plenty to choose from.

Those who want to gain experience at an early stage of their career can “Earn while they Learn” by way of ODC’s – Outdoor Catering in 5 Star Hotels after classes from Year 1 itself. Most Institutes send students for 6 months “On the Job Training” exposure in Hotels & Restaurant as part of curriculum for which they earn monthly stipend.

The Hotel Management programs give equal importance to Theory & Practical. While it is important to focus on Theory it is essential to learn its application through Industry exposure during the program.

Career

With increasing globalisation, career opportunities in this field are not only limited within the country but there are chains of hotels which operate internationally providing scope of a career abroad.

The diversity of experience in Hotel management is greater than in any other profession. Hotel industry involves combination of various skills like Management, Food & Beverage service, Food Production, Housekeeping, Front office operation, Sales & Marketing.

As you graduate from a Hotel Management Institute, one can choose Careers in:-

· Hotel & Restaurant management

· Airline Catering & Cabin Services

· Club management

· Cruise Ship Management

· Hospital administration & catering

· Forest Lodges

· Guest Houses

· Institutional Management (supervising canteens in college, schools, in factories, company guest houses etc.)

· Catering departments of railways, banks, armed forces, shipping companies etc.

· Hotel & catering Institutes

· Self employment

Salaries for entry-level employees in 5 star Hotels are at approximately Rs 15,000 a month, but increments could go up to Rs 1 lac in a year for deserving candidates. Apart from the salary, the front line employees also get a share of Gratuity in Cash commonly termed as Tips.

Hotel establishments also offer young employees with incentives, perks and lifestyle benefits free lunches, freebies like complementary stay for the family, picnics and free entries into well-known discotheques.

Those who are passionate about working in Hotels grow vertically from:-

Associate

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Executive

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Line Manager

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Assistant Head of Department

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Head of Department

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General Manager

With burgeoning growth of the Hotel Industry especially in B & C cities in India, one can grow to a position of General Manager in 12 to 14 years in a Mid – size Hotel. As a General Manager the perks are at par offered to any professional in any other Industry. Depending on the policy, some organizations provide Accommodation to the family of the General Manager within the Hotel with all the luxuries of a 5 star.

With 3-4 years of work experience, a lot of Chefs with expertise in Indian cuisine get Job offers from UK, Canada, Australia & Middle East. There are also a lot of opportunities available on International Cruise liner in F&B service as well as Kitchen. While on Cruise ship, one not only gets opportunity to Travel the world while in the Job but also save a decent amount of money as well.

While working in 5 star Hotels the job is alluring as you get to see Celebrities, Head of States while they stay at your Hotel on a vacation or on business appointment or attending to a Banquet like Wedding, Conference or Product launch.

You also get to interact with people from different Nationalities across the Globe & learn about their culture, eating habits & background. Such a chance is rare to find in any other profession.

Other Service Industries like BPO & Airlines also hire Hotel Management professionals at lucrative salaries. Basically, an education in Hotel Management inculcates in the students a very strong service orientation, which is highly valued by practically all employers in the service industry.