You know that person who first greets you as you arrive at a hotel? That person has the power to enhance the entire feel of your vacation. A warm smile and hearty greeting and you start your stay away on a happy note. Having the ability to make guests feel good about their trips is just one of the many rewards of a career in hospitality management.
Hospitality Management Definition
Hospitality management is the field of overseeing the administration of a hotel or resort. According to Johnson & Wales professor and online instructor Jane Boyland, the role of a hospitality manager has two fronts: “A hospitality manager’s main role is to deliver an experience that meets or exceeds guest expectations, while at the same time ensuring the financial success of the business.”
Day-to-day operations include overseeing the hotel’s front desk operations; the restaurant, bar and room service, if applicable; public facilities like the pool and gym; housekeeping; group conference rooms and sales; reservations and general maintenance of the property. You can see that you won’t likely be bored in a hospitality management position. Boyland added that in order for a hospitality manager to be effective they must be great at “balancing people and customer service skills with the analytical skills necessary to perform the main role effectively.”
Hospitality managers rarely work a 9-to-5 job. Since resorts and hotels are hosting guests 24/7, there needs to be someone available to guests round the clock. However, don’t be scared. These responsibilities are usually shared by a general manager and several assistant managers, depending on the size of the property.
Careers in Hospitality Management
Common career opportunities for hospitality management professionals include:
Hotel Manager
The hotel manager oversees all aspects of hotel operations, ensuring that guests receive excellent customer service and the property is well-maintained. As part of the lodging industry, they are responsible for managing staff, financial performance, and maintaining high standards of hospitality.
Restaurant Manager
Those in restaurant management roles help manage staff, maintain inventory, and oversee food service and quality. They also handle budgets, customer relations, and maintain compliance with health and safety regulations.
Event Planner
An event planner coordinates all elements of events, from selecting venues to managing vendors and logistics. They work closely with clients to understand their vision and ensure that events run smoothly and meet expectations.
Lodging Manager
Lodging managers are responsible for overseeing the daily operations of lodging facilities, ensuring guest satisfaction and smooth check-in/check-out procedures. They also supervise staff, monitor occupancy rates, and manage budgets.
Catering Manager
The catering manager oversees food services for events, making sure the menu meets client expectations and that food preparation meets the highest standards. They work with chefs, manage catering staff, and handle logistics to ensure timely and quality service.
Front Office Manager
A front office manager supervises the front desk operations to support a seamless check-in and check-out experience for guests. They handle guest inquiries, manage reception staff, and maintain high service standards for a positive guest experience.
Travel Agent
Travel agents assist clients in planning their trips by booking flights, accommodations, and transportation while providing guidance on destinations. They ensure clients have suitable itineraries that fit their budget and preferences, making travel easier and more enjoyable.
Property Manager
A property manager is responsible for overseeing rental properties, managing tenant relations, and handling maintenance issues. They collect rent, ensure properties are in good condition, and make sure operations are profitable and compliant with regulations.
Skills Required for a Career in Hospitality Management
The following are essential skills and qualities for workers to embody in order to help manage a successful hospitality business:
Customer Service
Quality customer service involves meeting the needs and exceeding the expectations of guests by providing a welcoming and friendly experience. For hospitality management professionals, exceptional customer service is critical for ensuring guest satisfaction, building loyalty, and encouraging positive reviews and repeat business.
Communication
Communication skills help clearly convey information to guests, staff, and vendors — both verbally and in writing. In hospitality management, strong communication ensures that expectations are understood, issues are resolved efficiently, and a positive relationship is maintained between the hotel, restaurant, or event team and their customers.
Organization
Organization entails effectively managing tasks, schedules, and priorities to ensure smooth operations. Hospitality managers need solid organizational skills to coordinate staffing, manage bookings, handle events, and oversee multiple areas of operations to ensure everything runs efficiently.
Financial Management
Financial management involves budgeting, forecasting, and controlling costs to maintain profitability. In the hospitality business, financial skills are used to manage operational expenses, set prices, monitor financial performance, and make strategic decisions to increase revenue.
Leadership
Good leadership means guiding and motivating team members to achieve their best and create a positive work environment. This is crucial for managing staff, fostering teamwork, ensuring high standards of service, and addressing challenges as they arise.
Crisis Management
Crisis management refers to the ability to handle unexpected situations calmly and effectively to minimize negative impacts. This skill is essential for dealing with emergencies such as guest complaints, operational disruptions, or safety concerns to ensure that issues are resolved quickly while maintaining guest satisfaction.
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing skills involve promoting services, understanding customer needs, and generating interest to attract new customers. For hospitality management professionals, these skills are used to market the property, promote special events, develop pricing strategies, and create campaigns that drive bookings and boost revenue.
What Salary You Can Expect to Make With a Career in Hospitality Management
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2023, a hotel manager in the U.S. can expect to earn a median wage of about $65,360 per year or $31.42 per hour. The BLS also lists the median salary for an event planner as $56,920 and $63,060 for restaurant managers. However, those figures can vary dramatically depending on the hotel for which you work, the size of the property or the restaurant, your experience, the region of the country in which you work and your job responsibilities.
Hospitality managers often qualify for travel perks, such as free stays at other hotels affiliated with the property where you work, as well as discounts on other travel products like cruises and tour packages.
Hospitality Management Degree Options
Although it may be possible to become a hotel manager by working your way up the ranks and with the right experience, earning a higher education in hospitality management equips you with the qualified knowledge to start working in the field after graduation. Below are a few specific degree programs to consider:
Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management
A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management provides students with a holistic understanding of the hospitality industry, focusing on areas like financial analysis, business negotiations, and sustainable tourism. This degree offers flexibility for students to choose elective courses and pursue specializations in areas such as food and beverage management, hotel and resorts, or sustainable tourism management to align with their career aspirations. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and industry connections, preparing students for careers in hotels, resorts, event management, and other hospitality sectors. Prioritizing real-world application alongside a curriculum designed for efficiency, students can complete their studies with a well-rounded foundation for success in this dynamic field.
Bachelor’s in Sports, Entertainment, Event Management
A bachelor’s degree in sports, entertainment, and event management offers a targeted yet comprehensive education in managing various aspects of the hospitality industry, with a focus on sports, entertainment, and event planning. The curriculum covers key topics like financial management, risk assessment, venue operations, and marketing strategies, equipping students with a solid business foundation. Specialized courses may delve into areas like professional sports management, concert and event production, and international exhibitions — thereby allowing students to tailor their studies to specific interests within the field. This degree helps graduates build the skills necessary to pursue careers in event planning, venue management, sports marketing, and related sectors.
Master’s in Hospitality Management
A master’s degree in hospitality management offers an in-depth exploration of the hospitality and tourism industry, examining areas such as financial management, strategic marketing, organizational behavior, and global industry issues. The curriculum is designed to equip students with advanced communication skills, cultural competence, and ethical decision-making abilities so they are optimally prepared for leadership roles in hotels, restaurants, resorts, and other hospitality settings. Integrating theoretical knowledge with practical applications, this degree enables hospitality management professionals to critically analyze research, assess financial performance, and formulate strategies to address operational challenges within the hospitality industry. Graduates are well-prepared to design exceptional guest experiences and drive organizational success in a globally connected field.
Pursue a Career in Hospitality Management
For many, a career in hospitality management proves exciting and interesting, opening doors to encounter a variety of people, places, and experiences. To pave the way toward your hospitality management career path, start by earning your bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Johnson & Wales Online. This online program offers the ultimate flexibility, both in terms of your time and schedule as well as your specific career aspirations and interests.
For more information, complete the Request Info form, call 855-JWU-1881, or email [email protected].