Hotel and hospitality management are crucial industries that ensure a comfortable and welcome stay in a lodging or an entertainment property. Their diverse career paths cover all hotelier and customer service sectors, from catering, restaurants, spas, and casinos, to more managerial jobs like hotel, casino, and HR managers, thus maintaining a dynamic workflow.
With numerous career possibilities and a prospective job outlook, hotel and hospitality management are excellent career choices for people interested in this path. Though they have many similarities, there is a difference between hotel management and hospitality management, and this article will tell you all there is to know.
What is hotel management?
Hotel management is the part of the hotel industry that oversees every hotel operation, including hiring, marketing, services, and all types of guest accommodations. It has a variety of available careers that can suit everyone and a career path that celebrates diversity in the workplace.
Hotel management career options
As part of a diverse field, hotel management offers numerous promising careers, and maybe you can see yourself doing one. Let us take you through some of the careers you can pursue in this industry.
Hotel Manager
Hotel managers are responsible for managing all hotel services, its staff, and ensuring that things are running smoothly and are in sync. Moreover, Hotel Managers typically maintain a hotel’s budget and its statistical and financial records.
Kitchen Chef
If you have a passion for both food and management, this may be the perfect career for you.
As a Kitchen Chef, you will be responsible for supervising employees and making sure everything is going as planned. Furthermore, Kitchen Chefs are expected to be in charge of menus and food presentation.
HR Manager
Hotel HR Managers are responsible for hiring, interviewing, and managing team members. By ensuring that all employees’ rights are met, they help create a safe working environment.
Event Organizer
If you are someone with an eye for detail, Event Organizer may turn out to be an excellent career for you. As an Event Organizer, you will be responsible for overseeing every event planning stage under the hotel property. Moreover, Event Organizers may also be responsible for marketing and bringing new clients to the property.
Accommodation Manager
As the title suggests, Accommodation Managers are in charge of supervising operations that ensure all guests have a wonderful stay. Furthermore, Accommodation Managers need to make sure that all the staff complies with the hotel accommodation policy.
Hotel management qualification and skills
Though you can land a hotel management position with a high school diploma, there are many opportunities for higher education and courses in hotel management that will open many doors in this industry. A BHM (Bachelor of Hotel Management) is ideal for learning the inner workings of the industry.
In order to succeed in the hotel management industry, you need to have a few job-specific skills, such as:
- Being a people person that can communicate easily and politely with clients, co-workers, and other people.
- Exhibiting excellent customer service skills and ensuring all clients’ needs are fulfilled.
- Multitasking and maintaining control in a dynamic work environment.
- Being aware and cautious of cultural differences and respecting each client’s cultural background.
- Language skills that help you communicate and offer the best service.
Hotel management job outlook and salaries
The hotel industry is gigantic and it continues to grow each year, leading to hotel management jobs to always be in demand and have a great outlook. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 9% growth by 2030, and with things running back to normal, the spending habits on hotels and other accommodation services are expected to see an increase in profits.
The hotel management industry has a great prospect for its hourly and annual salary. In 2021, the average annual wage for hotel managers was $59,430, with the hourly rate being $28.57. Similarly, other career paths in hotel management have above-average salaries. The average yearly salary for a Kitchen Executive Chef is $73,997, HR Managers make around $69,629 per year, and the average yearly salary for an Accommodation Manager is $78,559.
What is hospitality management?
Hospitality management is a broad industry that includes hotels, resorts, restaurants, casinos, bars, and other customer services. This industry’s primary goal is to offer its clients the best services and accommodations. As it has various options, the career choices are more diverse and specific; that’s why it is best to do additional research on which career path is right for you.
Hospitality management career options
Hospitality management offers a diverse range of careers in different sectors that can suit a large variety of people. Let us take you through some of the best hospitality management jobs.
Casino Manager
Casino Managers are responsible for running a casino. Their duties include monitoring the finances, handling complaints, supervising employees, and ensuring the casino is turning a profit.
Restaurant Manager
As a Restaurant Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing operations, supervising employees, and managing inventory. Other day-to-day tasks of Restaurant Managers include handling complaints, maintaining safety regulations, and drafting financial reports.
Concierge
Concierges help clients with different requests during their visit. They may assist in mapping out tourist sites, making itineraries, and providing food and beverage suggestions. Concierges can also be in charge of organizing birthday parties.
Hospitality management qualification and skills
Similar to hotel management, hospitality management does not necessarily require a Bachelor’s degree. However, our program can help you obtain new skills and advance your managing abilities. At the University of the Potomac, we offer a Combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Business Administration in Hospitality and Tourism Management, which prepares you for the dynamic workflow of the hospitality and tourism industry.
Interested in pursuing a degree?
Fill out the form and get all admission information you need regarding your chosen program.
Just like in other industries, working in hospitality management means you will need a specific set of skills. Paying attention to details, having excellent communication skills, adapting to the ever-changing industry, and multitasking are only some of the skills that will help you succeed.
What Is the Best Job for Hospitality Management?
The search for the ideal hospitality management job hinges on a thoughtful evaluation of several key factors. To embark on this journey, assessing your strengths, passions, and personal inclinations is crucial. By understanding your unique qualities, you can better align them with the various job positions available within the dynamic hospitality industry.
As you explore different roles, it is essential to consider the educational prerequisites and potential career trajectories associated with each option. Engaging with professionals who are already established in the field can provide valuable insights and guidance.
Additionally, gaining hands-on experience through internships or practical training will further refine your understanding of the industry and its various facets.
Beyond qualifications and experiences, it is essential to contemplate your long-term objectives and goals. This includes considering your work-life balance preferences and compatibility with the company culture. Finding a role that complements your interests and aspirations will contribute to your overall job satisfaction and professional growth in hospitality management.
Hospitality management job outlook and salaries
Hospitality management is a diverse industry with multiple career options. The industry is growing, so the job outlook looks promising. Currently, hospitality management jobs offer above-average annual pay, with casino managers making $76,910 annually, hospitality managers $59,430, and spa managers earning a salary of $60,685 per year.
Difference Between Hotel Management and Hospitality Management
Though they may look similar, there are some key differences between hotel and hospitality management. Firstly, hotel management oversees every hotel operation, whereas hospitality management is a broader industry that oversees not only hotels but also other sectors like bars, casinos, spas, and restaurants.
Secondly, hospitality management offers a broader range of employment sectors. Hotel management also offers numerous possibilities, but they are all related to hotels. Moreover, the hotel industry is more dependent on tourists and events, while the hospitality industry is more dependent on customer service that brings a loyal clientele.
Lastly, but just as importantly, considering that the hospitality industry includes more sectors, this industry provides more opportunities as well. You can grab one of these opportunities by starting your journey with us.
Final thoughts
Hotel and hospitality management offer great job opportunities, and their differences help people choose which path they want to take, be it working in hotels or broader customer service sectors.
Lately, there have been movements trying to make the hotel and hospitality industry more eco-friendly and sustainable, to grow and change with time. This brings ways for new and modern ideas to flourish and for the people behind those ideas to advance in the industry.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to you and your passion for either industry. Understanding hotel management vs hospitality management can help you find the key differences and choose the best career path for you.
