What is Hospitality Management
Hospitality simply refers to the relationship between a guest and a host. Which means hospitality is a wide variety of things. When you’re inviting friends over for dinner you’re being hospitable. And when you’re welcoming hundreds of guests into your hotel you are doing the exact same thing. Some would argue that hospitality is something that universally binds together our humanity. Offering shelter, offering food and drink, and offering comforting amenities are acts not only of hospitality but deeply important gifts of caring. To feel welcome is no small gesture in today’s climate. Welcoming in all types of cultures, races, religions and ages makes for a diverse and pleasant experience had by all. Once again, businesses recognize the importance of welcoming. The moment an individual walks into a shop, spa, hotel, restaurant, night club or cafe sets the tone for what type of establishment it will be. A spa may welcome you in with a refreshing beverage and a robe. A restaurant greeter will welcome you with a smile, introduce you to your server and provide you with an accommodating table for your friends and family. A hotel concierge will hand you your keys to one of the most precious commodities- a place of shelter, rest and relaxation. As we have tried to illustrate here, hospitality is an ancient gift which has fluctuation depending on place, time, culture etc. And today, hospitality is a big business. Involving everything from monitoring the supply chain for goods crucial to your venue to human resources, to marketing.
Hospitality Management Trends
As human behavior evolves so along with it does hospitality. Today we can tour the world Google’s Pixel Buds without the use of an accompanying translator. And pretty soon, thanks to Elon Musk, we’ll be able to travel from New York to Shanghai in 39 minutes. Automated kiosks mean no more lines, and also ordering room service and more.
Let’s take a quick glance at a couple of influences changing the industry.
- Sustainability: Historically speaking, hotels in particular have used less-than-perfect ecological practices that impact energy and water supplies. Source: DANA. As green alternatives become less expensive and more appealing, hospitality managers have shifted towards more economic practices which effect budget, incentivized ecologically sound upgrades, and actutually strengthened the brand. Guests understanding the impact their travel has on their carbon footprint, and minimizing that impact is an industry perk. The time for a greener upgrade is now!
- Technology: with so many individuals taking matters into their own hands they are free to work wherever and whenever. Restaurants, cafes, hotels, and bed and breakfasts fill up with savvy and innovative individuals. As a result, the industry has upgraded-offering better quality equipment, high speed internet, and more. Technology doesn’t just mean computers, it also ties in with travel and tourism. We’re about to make it from New York to Shanghai in 39 minutes so the tourism industry is going to have to brace for impact!
What this means is that hospitality is, more so than ever, innovative. Sustainability has entered the realm of supply chain management and hospitality behaviors have shifted with the times and circumstances. People of different cultures may seek to cross them or find something that feels like home. Does your menu reflect this? Are you ensuring that packaging is not just recyclable and compostable but maybe even giving back to a greater cause? These are the emerging trends that continue to impact and change this thriving field.
Now is a great time to get a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management is the academic route towards a clear advancement in your career.
Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management
According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, hospitality and tourism is the third largest industry after health care and business. This means that finding a position in the field of hospitality is not as difficult as many other industries. However, the conundrum that those who work in the hospitality industry often find themselves in is how to make a livable wage within their chosen profession. A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management is the answer. According to Payscale.com a bachelor’s in hospitality management can double your salary. In fact, if making minimum wage- often the starting salary of a job in hospitality management- a bachelor’s can potentially triple your salary.
A Bachelor’s in hospitality management equips you to learn about the ins and outs of restaurant and lodging operations. Many programs include other areas of interest like event planning, night club management, travel and leisure, tour operations and more. You will learn the fundamentals of business, understand the specifics of your chosen area of interest, and if decided, prepare for entrance into a master’s level program.
Every Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management will vary but the key components of your program will include the following course material:
- Introduction to Hospitality Management
- Principles of Accounting
- Business Law
- Organizations and Government Regulations
- Nutrition and Health
- Lodging Operations
- Hotel/Lodging Front Office Operations
- Travel and Leisure
- Human Resource Hospitality Management
- Customer Service and Conflict Resolution
- Work Experience Practicum
- Introduction to Information Management
- Principles of Management
- Beverage Appreciation
- Quality of Service
- Convention Sales and Management
- Professional Development in Hospitality
- Global Consumer Culture
- Principles of Marketing
- Microeconomics/ Macroeconomics
- Conference Coordination
- Catering and Event Management
Most bachelor’s in hospitality management require a minimum of 120 hours or four years to complete. Expect to take required general education courses in the arts, sciences, and humanities and in some cases, depending on the type of bachelor’s degree, more food science-specific course material. Those courses generally include chemistry: science of food systems, science of food preparation, nutrition, and microbiology. These courses are relevant to individuals who decide to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management.
Looking Forward: Salary of A Hospitality Manager
According to Payscale, the Average Salary of a Hospitality Manager is $54,638. Here is why:
In a hospitality management position you will be in charge of the general oversight of potentially a restaurant or hotel. You will attend to the finances of the establishment, inspect the premises for code, oversee employee performance, and attend to conflict resolution with customers. As we mentioned above, the are a vast array of careers available under the umbrellas of hospitality management. For those interested in kitchen management specifically, the job duties will be more concentrated and that is certainly reflected in the average salary. An associate’s degree in hospitality management with the position of “kitchen manager” averages a salary of $42,750 according to Payscale. Travel agents make an average of $35,000 a year, and meeting and event planners will make closer on average to $60,000 per year. In many of these positions salary increases about $15,000-$20,000 annually for individuals holding a bachelor’s degree. As we mentioned earlier and associate in hospitality management, is a great place to start!
Recap: What Can I do with a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management
Just to recapitulate the arch of how you can wield your newly acquired Bachelor’s in Hospitality management let’s take one more quick glance:
- Gain some years of experience in the industry
- Pick an area of interest
- Apply to program that serves as the best fit for your career. Take a look through these bachelor’s degrees in hospitality management
- tailor your programming with electives that work for your career
- After you graduate you can begin your search for a career in hospitality management.