Hotel Management: Overview, Importance, Eligibility criteria and more

What is hotel management?

Hotel management is an area of study that covers a wide range of topics related to the operational aspects of hoteliery. It is the system involving the management of all things related to the hotel business. As a field of study it is all about learning the management techniques covering all aspects of managing a hotel business including hotel administration, marketing, housekeeping, accounts, maintenance, food management, catering, beverage management. The goal of learning about this field is to run a hotel properly alongside managing all aspects of the business. It is the job of the hotel manager to coordinate the operational tasks of a successfully running hotel. And managing a hotel needs knowledge and skills in a wide variety of fields. So an education in this field can be very diverse and interesting. A degree in hotel management can be a very rewarding and challenging degree program which will give employment opportunities across the globe. An education in hotel management teaches students the skills to manage different responsibilities like reception and concierge services, restaurant and bar maintenance, administration, management and marketing effectively. For students interested in studying abroad hotel management can be a lucrative area of study. It is a career that provides extensive opportunities for travel and working abroad.

Courses in hotel management at levels of:-1.Diploma

2.Bachelors degree

3.Masters degree

Importance of hotel management

Every individual who works in a hotel management field is required to be aware of their duties and responsibilities. Or it can be said that the industry needs specialists to carry out multiple types of functions and remove mistakes of all sorts. And this can be possible by someone who has completed a hotel management course along with possessing some minimum numbers of experience to be able to run a complex system in a professional and proper manner.

The hotel business offers a wide range of career opportunities.The hotel management field gives options of a large variety in terms of roles.This field has plenty of room for advancement in specializations.

This field gives a different work environment from traditional ones and keeps you on your toes. In this sector you get to meet people from different walks of life including famous celebrities,business tycoons and creative people.The work environment is exciting,challenging and constantly changing as you always have something new to do.

The field offers many scope of opportunities as the industry is in constant need of manpower. A hotel management graduate, skilled,trained and confident can never find any dearth of new job roles and creative engagements.There are so many departments like recreation, public relations, security and computer applications which contribute to different aspects of running a hotel.Having a hotel management degree can help you get a lucrative entry position in food or beverage service, accounts, restaurant service, executive housekeeping, marketing or other departments in a hotel. The tourism industry continues to grow at an unmatched pace and there is a continuous increase in demand for hotel management professionals. 

Hotel/Hospitality Management as a field requires aspirants to possess good communication skills and an impressive personality.Because of globalisation the hotel management industry is growing by leaps and bounds and each year a lot of hospitality related jobs are being ushered in the economy.These jobs are from both Indian and international chains.

To start a career in this field candidates need to pursue a course in this field from a reputed college.The candidates have the option to pursue an undergraduate(UG)or postgraduate(PG)course in the field of hotel management.Some common hotel management subjects that candidates are taught at the UG level include introduction to food and beverage service, kitchen operations management, cookery, front office management, management of hospitality organizations. Hotel management subjects taught at PG level are principles and practices of management, hospitality operations and management, organisational behaviour, food and beverage management, travel management.

The top hotel management courses(UG):-

1.Bachelor of Hotel Management(BHM)

2.Bachelor in Hotel Management and Catering Technology(BHMCT)

3.B.Sc in Hospitality and Hotel Administration

4.BA in Hotel Management

5.BBA in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism

The top hotel management courses(PG)

1.Master of Hotel Management(MTHM)

2.Master in Tourism and Hotel Management(MTHM)

3.MBA in Hotel Management

4.MBA in Hospitality Management

5.MSc. Tourism and Hospitality Management

Apart from degree courses aspirants can also pursue certificate and diploma programs in Hotel/ Hospitality management. These include Diploma in Hotel management and catering technology,diploma in Hospitality management,diploma in housekeeping,diploma in Aviation hospitality and travel management,certificate 

course in maritime catering,certificate course in hotel and hospitality management.

There are some required skill sets to be possessed for hotel/hospitality management aspirants.The aspirants wanting to be in this field need to multitask because in this field one is constantly tested to expand their boundaries on a regular basis.The aspirants should have these qualities:-

1.Have an outgoing and pleasant personality

2.Have a polite attitude

3.Have a customer-oriented approach

4.Be disciplined

5.Have confidence

6.Have the ability to adjust in a crowd or different circumstances

7.Have the willingness to work long and odd hours

8.Have good communication skills

9.Have creativity

10.Be responsible

11.Have team spirit

12.Be a good listener

13.Have the ability to be committed and dedicated to a task

14.Have the ability to multitask

Hotel/Hospitality Management Eligibility Criteria

Candidates are eligible to pursue a hotel/hospitality course at the UG level if they have completed their 10+2 from a recognized board with passing marks. Many colleges demand an additional eligibility criteria stating that it is mandatory for students to have cleared English as a core subject of study if they want to pursue a hotel/hospitality management course.

To pursue a PG course in hotel/hospitality management candidates need to be graduates. Here aspirants possessing a graduation degree in hotel/hospitality management are preferred.

Hotel Management Job Profiles 

Hospitality management offers various job profiles to choose from.Some of them are:-

1.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 of the hotel.A hotel manager supervises the working of the housekeeping and banquet department.He is also responsible for increasing the revenue of the hotel.

2. 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.They are responsible for ensuring that services offered meet their requirements.A front office manager needs to coordinate between the housekeeping and food and beverage department to ensure that requests made by guests are fulfilled on time.

3.Housekeeping Manager-The housekeeping manager is responsible for ensuring that the whole hotel premises from guest rooms,banquet halls,meeting rooms and the reception area is maintained.A housekeeping manager is responsible for making rosters,training staff and supervising the work of housekeepers,cleaners and seamstresses.

4.Food and Beverage Manager-In this department the professional has to plan,organise and supervise the work of the catering department.The professionals in this department have to interact with guests and ensure that the needs and demands of the guest are fulfilled.

5.Restaurant and Food Service Manager-The professionals in this department are entrusted with the work of taking stock of the cutlery, cleaning supplies,linens,paper,cooking utensils and furniture/fixtures of the hotel’s restaurant areas They are responsible for arranging equipment maintenance and repairs.

6.Chef-They are responsible for preparing meals,training kitchen staff,ordering supplies,planning menus,managing kitchen budget,ordering supplies,planning menus,managing the kitchen budget,taking care of health and safety regulations,preserving food quality.

7.Banquet Manager-In this department one is responsible for every event that is held at the hotel’s banquet.The manager is responsible to rent out the banquet for corporate events or private parties.A banquet manager needs to work closely with the catering department and the food and beverage manager to ensure that timely snacks,food and drinks are served to the guests.

8.Steward-The professionals in this field are responsible for ensuring that cutlery is laid out at the table as per the requirement.They also need to make sure that the banquet rooms have adequate and proper furnishings.Stewards also need to make sure that the food for room service is made fast and orders are served quickly.

9.Floor Supervisors-They are in-charge of the maintenance of all the rooms on a hotel’s floor.They work closely with the bell boys. 

Hospitality Management top Recruiters

Some popular hotels that hire hospitality management graduates are:-

1.The Taj Group of Hotels

2.Marriott International,Inc.

3.Hyatt Hotels

4.ITC Group of Hotels

5.The Leela Palaces,Hotels and Resorts

6.Accor Hostels

7.Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts Group

8.Hilton Worldwide

9.Courtyard by marriott

10.Oberoi Group of Hotels