Jobs, Careers and Occupations

Hospitality Jobs, Occupations and Careers

Hospitality

Hospitality companies own, operate, or engage in amusement, attractions, recreation, entertainment facilities, exhibitions, tourism, catering, foodservice, hotel, restaurant, entertainment, travel or sports related activities and products.

Hospitality occupations includes hotel managers, catering managers, film theater managers, travel agents, lodge and resort managers, fitness club staff, chefs, food and beverage directors, vending salespeople, nightclub managers and restaurant managers.

A comfortable room, good food, and a helpful staff can make being away from home an enjoyable experience for both vacationing families and business travelers. While most hospitality managers work in traditional hotels and motels, some work in other lodging establishments, such as camps, inns, boardinghouses, ranches and recreational resorts.

In full-service hotels, hospitality managers help their guests have a pleasant stay by providing many of the comforts of home, including cable television, fitness equipment and voice mail, as well as specialized services such as health spas. For business travelers, hospitality managers often schedule available meeting rooms and electronic equipment, including slide projectors and fax machines.

Hospitality managers are responsible for keeping their establishments efficient and profitable. In a small establishment with a limited staff, the manager may oversee all aspects of operations. However, large hotels may employ hundreds of workers, and the general manager usually is aided by a number of assistant managers assigned to the various departments of the operation. In hotels of every size, managerial duties vary significantly by job title.

General managers, have overall responsibility for the operation of the hotel. Within guidelines established by the owners of the hotel or executives of the hotel chain, the general manager sets room rates, allocates funds to departments, approves expenditures and establishes expected standards for guest service, decor, housekeeping, food quality and banquet operations.

Resident managers live in hotels and are on call 24 hours a day to resolve problems or emergencies. In many hotels, the general manager also is the resident manager.

Executive housekeepers ensure that guest rooms, meeting and banquet rooms, and public areas are clean, orderly and well maintained.

Front office managers coordinate reservations and room assignments, as well as train and direct the hotel’s front desk staff.

Convention services managers coordinate the activities of various departments in larger hotels to accommodate meetings, conventions and special events. Assistant managers help run the day-to-day operations of the hotel.

Hospitality Related Industries

• Sales