Be the Host with the Most in the Hospitality Industry

If you have an outgoing personality and enjoy working with people, check out what the friendliness-driven hospitality industry might have for you.

by Eneida P. Alcalde
ealcalde@cooking-school-search.com Cooking School Search Columnist

Are you a hospitable host? Do you enjoy throwing memorable parties and entertaining your guests? If so, the hospitality industry may be your calling.

The hospitality industry is composed of a variety of sectors, which include:

• Lodging
• Rental cars
• Food services

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), hospitality services compose about 8.1 percent of all jobs. This is projected to increase by 18 percent between 2002 and 2012, adding more than 1.6 million new hospitality jobs. Plus, in 2004, the hospitality and tourism industry was a $552 billion business! Nearly 61,000 establishments, including casino hotels, upscale hotels, motels, resorts and bed-and-breakfasts, provided overnight accommodations, demonstrating our society’s demand for hospitality professionals.

Hospitality Degrees

It’s wise to know that the hospitality industry has been focusing on hiring professionals that have more than on-the-job training. For example, lodging chains generally prefer hiring professionals with four-year degrees. A bachelor’s or master’s degree will give you a competitive advantage in hotel, restaurant, and hospitality management.

Still, after being hired, you’ll need to go through some hospitality job training before being given total responsibility. With this experience and a degree, you’ll soon advance to a management position. Hospitality’s executive management careers will be within reach, but will require some extra on-the-job practice.

On top of a degree, it’s important to remember that in hospitality a friendly smile and outgoing personality will serve you well. It’s well known that all positions across the hospitality industry maintain a customer-service orientation. The hospitality industry’s top employers recognize the importance of personal service and attention to guests and seek employees with positive personalities and good communication skills. With a knack for customer service and an advanced degree, making your way up the hospitality industry’s chain shouldn’t be a problem at all.

Sources

Vault
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration

About the Author

Eneida P. Alcalde works in Washington, D.C., and has written several grants, educational manuals, and promotional material for development organizations. Eneida holds a B.A. in international politics and Spanish from the Pennsylvania State University

Posted on May 29, 2007 at 3:07 PM

Share this article: