Hotel Management
In today’s competitive business environment, the status of hospitality industry is considered as a parameter to judge the overall economic prosperity of any country. Hospitality industry is also directly related to the inbound tourism of any particular country. The various countries of the world like India, China and Iran that were once the seats of ancient civilizations are still the most favorite destinations of the tourists from all corners of the globe.
India has vast potentials for developing both tourism and hospitality industries. In this era of increasing globalization, hospitality industry or hotel management is assuming greater significance and fast developing as a lucrative career option.
Hotel industry is an important part of tourism industry. There is a variety of experiences in the field of hotel management which makes it unique and exciting. Modern Hotel industry involves blend of various skills like management skills, food and beverage service skills, housekeeping skills, front office operation skills, sales and marketing and accounting skills and so on.
Eligibility
Minimum qualification needed to opt for a course in hotel management is 10+2. There are many certificates, diplomas and bachelors courses in this field. Duration of certificate courses is six months to one year. Bachelor and diploma courses are of three to two year respectively.
Most of the government recognized institutes conduct common entrance test. The test consists of questions concerning English, Reasoning, General Science and General Knowledge. The test is held around April every year. The test is followed by a group discussion and interview, in which a candidate’s’ personality and aptitude for hotel industry is observed. Private institutes also conduct tests on the similar lines.
Personal Attributes
Candidates should not only have a good organizational background, excellent communication and interpersonal skills but also a zeal for self-discipline. He / she must be an extrovert, co-operative, polite and respectful to the guests, and also have patience to deal with guest’s criticism even when one knows that he/she is right.
Job Prospects
A hotel consists of many departments such as Operations, Front office, House keeping, Food and Beverages, Accounting, Engineering/ Maintenance, Sales and Security etc. Each department has a lot of job opportunities for hotel management graduates.
The areas where diploma holders/gradutes can find jobs are :
- Hotel & Restaurants
- Airline Catering and Cabin Services
- Club management
- Cruise Ship Hotel Management
- Hospital administration and catering
- Hotel and Tourism Associations
- Forest Lodges
- Guest Houses
- Institutional Management (running canteens in college, schools, in factories, company guest houses etc.)
- Catering departments of railways, banks, armed forces, shipping companies etc.
- Hotel and catering institutes
And lastly, Self employment
Pay Package
Generally after completing the diploma or the bachelor's course, graduates are usually absorbed as trainees. After successful completion of training, they may be absorbed in positions with salaries range between Rs 7,000 to Rs 10, 000. As one gains experience in the field, he / she can command higher salary.
