People serving other people—whether it’s a meal, a place to stay, a trip, or a fun event—is the cornerstone of the hospitality industry. Typically, the service is transient. Guests come in for dinner at a restaurant, stay overnight at a hotel, travel to a new city, and then eventually return to wherever they came from.

But what about when the service isn’t temporary and people need to be served on a permanent basis? Johnson & Wales University has carved out a new sector that meets an immediate demand and otherwise underserved population—Residential Hospitality Management.

What is Residential Hospitality?

Residential hospitality, or ResHosp, is the management and operation of residential facilities. Managers in this industry oversee the services provided to people where they live and aim to develop strong experiences and communities for residents.  

There are three main areas of focus in residential hospitality. All three are communities that require professional management to run their daily operations:

1. Luxury apartments

This sector is booming and shows substantial future growth, according to the National Apartment Association. With the total cost of homeownership increasing, industry professionals are seeing apartments become a desired alternative for both older people who are looking to down-size and millennials who are looking to break the traditional mold and save their money.

2. Assisted living communities

Growth among these facilities is also exploding because the needs of the Baby Boomer generation are actively changing. Many of these facilities are no longer look like the traditional “nursing homes” of the past.  Today, they are top-rated communities that offer many amenities to senior citizens.

3. Condominiums complexes and resorts

These facilities are changing the face of housing because they are gaining popularity and becoming permanent residences for many Americans. Many hotels are now converting some or all of their rooms to condominium residences that offer long-stay or permanent options. Condos and resorts typically offer beautiful facilities and many amenities, much like hotels, but most guests don’t have to check out after just a few days.

Associations like the National Apartment Association and the Institute of Real Estate Management have growing memberships across the country and forecast a need for education professionals to fill these specialized roles.

Why choose JWU for your studies?

Johnson & Wales University is home to one of the largest and most prestigious hospitality colleges in the nation and, in my opinion, has really played an instrumental role in carving out the residential hospitality management field.

Beginning in Fall 2018, Johnson & Wales will offer an online BS – Residential Hospitality Management degree. Students in this program will take courses like guest service, security and risk, and operations and strategy management. They will also have a set of major electives that will enable them to specialize their studies in luxury apartments, condos and resorts, or assisted living.

Want to learn more about earning your online BS – Residential Hospitality Management degree at Johnson & Wales University? Complete the “Request Info” form on this page or call 855-JWU-1881.