Career in Hotel Management, Hospitality Management & Travel and Tourism Management:

• Career in Hotel Management Industry
• Career in Hospitality Industry
• Career in Tourism &Travel Industry
• Career as a Chef
• Career in Public Relations

Career in Hotel Management Industry

The country’s rapidly growing economy has led to a remarkable growth in the tourism sector. In line with this growth, the hotel industry has flourished and thus, the demand for human resources specializing in hotel management has increased as well. For this reason, more and more students are beginning to take up hotel management in hopes to build a successful career in the industry. In a general sense, hotel management as a course may sound fairly simple. However, taking into consideration the number of specializations in this field of work, it would be important for one to really decide on which field to focus on. Although dozens of career prospects are available in hotel management, the more common ones include General Managers, Assistant Managers, Catering Management, Front Office Management and Housekeeping.

Nature of Work

Graduates of hotel management may end up filling positions of general hotel managers or assistant managers. The roles of these two are very significant because not only should they serve as leaders of the number of workers employed by the hotel but also ensure that all the hotel’s guests enjoy a pleasant and comfortable stay.

The role of general managers becomes increasingly important as they work with the hotel’s owners and directors to foresee income and expenditures by setting room rates and budgets. They must also establish the hotel’s identity in terms of the kind of service that they are able to provide. Managers of each department will also serve varying functions and will take responsibility for all the levels of employment in their departments.

• Food and Beverage:
• The food and beverage manager is responsible for all operations under the Catering Department. Here, the food and beverage manager leads all employees under both the culinary section and the steward section. Under the culinary section, the Executive Chef who is in charge of all kitchen activities answers directly to the food and beverage manager. This section is composed of all employees who work in the kitchen including all chefs and dishwashers.

• Front Office:

• The role of the Front Office Manager is vital to the hotel’s existence because employees under this department are those first encountered by all guests. Apart from making sure that all reservations and room assignments are in order, they supervise receptionists, information clerks, reservation officers, bellboys and doormen. They must ensure that all employees under their supervision are not only efficient but polite and courteous as well.

• Housekeeping:

• The Executive Housekeeper is responsible for all employees who work towards maintaining all rooms and the rest of the hotel facilities to make sure that everything is clean and tidy at all times. Under direct command of the Executive Housekeeper are floor supervisors who ensure that all rooms in their floor of responsibility are well-maintained. Other employees who are under the supervision of the Executive Housekeeper are the bays who are in charge of making beds and cleaning rooms, chamber boys and maids who clean the toilets and the shower areas, and the linen maids who collect and stock all sheets, towels, and napkins for laundry.

Personality

A job in the hotel industry requires certain essential personality characteristics. An individual seeking employment in this dynamic sector needs excellent social skills. A pleasant personality, enthusiasm, discipline, a genuine interest in a customer’s needs and a willingness and aptitude for public relations work are the basic traits employers watch out for in their applicants.

In addition to these basic personality traits, hotel managers must be highly business oriented and flexible and exhibit exceptional leadership skills. Managerial positions in hotels require excellent organization skills and the quick thinking and adaptive capabilities needed to handle the pressures of dealing with guests from vastly different cultures.

Professional Courses

To pursue a career in hotel management, university courses that take 3 to 4 years are recommended. Among these courses commonly offered by Indian colleges and universities are 3 years in Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management, 3 years Diploma in Hotel Management, 3 years in Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality and Tourism Management, and 4 years in Bachelor of Hotel Management and Catering Technology.

In order to qualify for these courses, one must have a 12th or equivalent pass with a minimum aggregate performance of 50%.

Colleges, Institutions and Universities

Below are some of the popular choices among those who wish to pursue careers in hotel management:

1. A.K. Hafizka College of Hotel & Tourism Management Studies & Research

• 3 years – Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Studies
• 3 years – Bachelor of Science in Catering and Hotel Administration
• 3 years – Advanced Diploma in Culinary Arts

2. Army Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology
   4 years – Bachelor of Hotel and Restaurant Management
3. Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology
   4 years – Bachelor in Hotel Management and Catering Technology
4. FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management
   4 years – International Hospitality Administration

• 4 years – International Culinary Administration
• 3 years – Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Catering, and Tourism
• 1 year – Diploma in Hotel Operations

5. Heritage Institute of Hotel and Tourism
   3 years – Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Tourism
6. Institute of Hotel Management
   3 years – Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management
7. Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology, & Applied Nutrition
   3 years – Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Hotel Administration
8. Merit Swiss Asian School of Hotel Management
   3 years – Diploma in Hotel Administration
9. Oberoi Center of Learning and Development
   3 years – Diploma in Hotel Operations Managemenet
10. Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration
    4 years – Bachelor of Hotel Management

Specialization

Post Graduation in Hotel Management

Those who have graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management can pursue post graduate studies and obtain a Master of Science degree in Hospitality Administration. These post graduate studies usually take up to one year.

Career Prospects

Graduates of professional courses under this field are usually taken as trainees under the positions they apply for. While most graduates usually seek work in five star hotels or other private hotel chains, some find themselves seeking alternative employment avenues in restaurant management, cruise ship hotel management, institutional and industrial catering, club or bar management, airline catering and cabin services, or management of catering departments in banks and insurance houses.

Remunerations

Compensation can greatly differ because of the number of factors affecting it. The most significant factors include the size of the firm or organization, the location of the business, when the applicant graduated and his or her performance in school. However, below is the regular pay scale one can expect when seeking employment in hotel management: these ranges vary with the hotel.

Hotel Management in India is one of the top most purused courses in India. Hotel Management Entrance Examination are those which are conducted on All India basis for recruitment to various Universities / Institutes offering Hotel Management Courses.

The National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) is a Registered Society under Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Government of India which centrally regulates academics for hospitality management through structured courses of studies that are imparted at the Government sponsored 24 Institutes of Hotel Management and eight Food Craft Management and eight Food Craft Institutes located in different parts of the country. Allmost all the Hotel Management Colleges in India also conduct tests of their own.

List of Hotel Management Entrance Exams
MAH HM CET – Maharashtra Hotel Management Common Entrance Test
NCHMCT JEE – National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology Entrance Exam
PUTHAT – Panjab University Tourism and Hospitality Aptitude Test

Hotel Management Entrance Examination Eligibility

1. 10 + 2 (% varies from institute to institute).
2. 22 years for General/PH and 25 years for SC/ST candidates as on 1st July. In the case of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates, upper age limit is relaxable by three years.

Hotel Management Entrance Examination Pattern and Admission Process

• Hotel Management Entrance Exam is of two hour duration.
• The test includes multiple-choice questions based on GK, Current affairs, General English, Aptitude & Numerical Ability.
• The test comprises objective question. Each correct has 1 marks & for wrong answer 1/4 marks will be deducted.
• Admission depends on the performance of the students in the written admission test, personal interview round / group discussion session.
• The pattern of the Hotel Management Entrance Exams is almost the same in almost all the institutes.

Some of the main Hotel Management Entrance Examination in India are –

1. NCHMCT – JEE – National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology.
2. FHRAI – Federations of Hotels and Restaurants Association of India.
3. MAH-HM-CET Maharashtra Hotel Mangement Common Entrance Test.
4. IITM – Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management.
5. HIHT – Heritage Institute of Hotel and Tourism.
6. ITDC – India Tourism Development Corporation.

Career in Hospitality Industry

India is ranked 11th in Asia and 62nd in the world for its richest cultural heritage and beautiful flora and fauna, according to a recent Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report of World Economic Forum. This suffices the reason for the growing importance of hospitality in the country. The word ‘hospitality’ can be defined as a relationship between a visitor and a host.

The field of hospitality requires personal skills, like sense of responsibility, helpful and friendly nature, and attractive appearance, along with good presence of mind. On realizing the significance of the hospitality sector in the country, a number of institutes have started courses in this field, under the administration of National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Scores of job opportunities are available in the hospitality sector, including hotels, travel and tourism, and aviation.

Course Details

Most institutes in India offer courses in hospitality at diploma, certificate, and postgraduate diploma levels. However, some institutions also impart programs in hospitality at undergraduate and postgraduate degree levels. Some of the most common hospitality courses are

• B Sc (Hospitality)
• M Sc (Hospitality & Hotel Administration)
• BA in Hospitality & Tourism Management;
• Certificate Course in Hotel and Catering Management;
• Diploma in House Keeping, Hotel Reception and Book Keeping, and Restaurant and Counter Service; Craftsmanship Course in Food and Beverage Service;
• Diploma in Bakery and Confectionery;
• Diploma in Front Office,
• Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics and Hospital Food Service

Talking about the eligibility for UG programs, one has to clear 10+2 level of examination, in any stream, from a recognized state/national board. For PG courses, graduation in relevant stream from any recognized University is mandatory. Students are imparted technicalities about various aspects of the relevant subjects, apart from practical exposure and knowledge.

Career Prospects

On successful completion of the course in hospitality, one can become a specialist in the field and work as a catering officer or chef in hotels, restaurants, fast food chains, and allied sectors. Customer relations executive, management trainee, and marketing/sales executive are other prospective positions to look out for. Besides, kitchen management and house keeping management are other areas to seek lucrative jobs. Moreover, one can join as an executive in tourism development corporations and resort properties, as a lecturer in hotel management institutes or food craft institutes, and as cabin crew in national and international airlines and cruises. The vast and extensive hospitality industry attracts young aspirants in service apartments, health care, Ayurveda and spa centers, cafés, bars, discotheques, clubs, etc.

Top colleges offering UG/PG/Other courses

Some prominent hospitality institutes in India include:

• Indian Institute of Hospitality Management, Maharashtra;
• Angel Institute of International Hospitality and Management (AIIHM), Greater Noida;
• FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management, Greater Noida;
• Amman Institute of Hospitality Management and Computer Application, Salem;
• Brilliant Institute of Hospitality Management, West Bengal;
• College of Hospitality Administration, Jaipur;
• College of Hospitality and Tourism, Gurgaon;
• Hope Institute of Hospitality Management, Delhi;
• Institute of Hospitality Management, Goa;
• Army Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Bangalore;
• MS Ramaiah College of Hotel Management,
• Bangalore; and Saptagiri College of Hotel Management, Mangalore.

Remuneration

Remuneration in the field of hospitality may vary from one organization to another. At the fresher level, the salary may seem to be low, but with experience, one can be offered high salary packages.

Career in Tourism & Travel Industry

Tourism and travels serves as the promoter of national and international goodwill. It is the third biggest industry in the world. In India tourism was declared an industry only a few years ago. It has however become the second biggest foreign exchange earner next only to gems and jewellery export. However, inspite of this India with its rich and diverse culture and numerous places of tourist interest, still lag behind. Today, with a conscious effort from the Government, the future of the industry holds tremendous promise for growth.

MAIN AREAS:

The travel and tourism industry operates in the private as well as in the public sector.

PRIVATE SECTOR:

In this sector activities are divided into two distinct sections.

(1) Travel Agents:

Travel agents are concerned with the marketing of travel and tourism. They are basically retailers, who plan and sell trips to individuals or groups. They book passages for air, rail, sea and road travel, arrange hotel reservations or other accommodations, hire cars and coaches. All travel agents take on both international and domestic bookings. Some specialise in areas, like business trips, group tours or conferences.

(2) Tour Operators:

Tour operators deal in travel and destination management. They put together and sell package holidays. These could be for individuals or groups and include incoming tourists from abroad, outbound tours to foreign destinations or domestic travelers. Tour operators could offer special interest packages that range from archaeology to golf, wildlife to astrology.

PUBLIC SECTOR:

This sector’s main concern is the promotion of tourism in India. To this end, most public sector organisations connected with tourism not only run a network of hotels, information centres and other facilities and services for visitors to the country, but also involved in larger development projects aimed at improving tourism infrastructure and expanding the industry. They are aided in this task by other semi-government bodies, including the Indian Railways and the two national airlines.

THE WORK:

Work in the travel and tourism industry is essentially concerned with providing services for people who are away from home, on business or holiday. Work at every functional level in the industry involves dealing directly with people. A great deal of mobility is also required in certain jobs where contact must be maintained with representatives of the myriad services provided to clients or individuals or groups that are to be accompanied to and around their destinations. Besides this, it is vital that all tourism staff in marketing, counter sales, or guide services, be acquainted about the places their clients visit, in terms of general background, air read and rail connections and facilities available.

PERSONALITY TRAITS:

(1) An outgoing nature (2) willingness to travel (3) ability to communicate with people of different backgrounds (4) enthusiasm for meeting people, (5) awareness of the country’s history and culture etc.

TRAINING/INSTITUTES:

After completing +2 level of education, a student can enroll himself/herself in a specialised tourism course.

The vocational colleges in the country offer tourism as a discipline and completion of such a course leads to a graduate degree.

Polytechnics also offer training programmes in certain aspects of tourism and travel, for example in ticketing and reservation. This level of qualification leads to jobs in travel agencies, as well as in Govt. departments, air lines and hotels but does not offer prospects for much growth and promotion in the industry.

 The most professional training in travel and tourism is available in the form of the postgraduate diploma and degree programmes of one or two years duration provided by many Universities and institutes in the country. Important among them are

– COURSE		INSTITUTIONS	ELIGIBILITY	DURATION
MTA(Master of Tourism Administrator)		Kurukshetra University, Aligarh Muslim University; Jiwaji University, Gwalior; Anantpur University, Anantapur, Marathwada University, Aurangabad.	Graduate/PG	2 years.
Management of Visitor Service/Tourism Dev./ Planning in Tourism Travel & Transportation/ Environmental Parameters of Tourism Development/ Management of issues in Tourism & Travel/ Computer Technology & Communication in tourism.		Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel, Thiruvananthapuram; Garware Institute of Career Education and Development, University of Bombay. Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. (All three are regional chapters of Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, New Delhi.	Graduate with 3 years experience at junior or middle management level, maximum age-30 years.	24 credits programme (cyclic programme scheduled in April, July, October and Dec.)
Diploma in Tourism Management		Indian Institute of Travel & Tourism Management, Agra university; Annamalai University; Berhampur university, Orissa; Bombay University; Delhi University; Indore University; H.S. Gour University; Goa University; Guru Ghasidas university, Bilaspur; Jiwaji University, Gwalior. University of Keral, Trivandrum; Kota Open University; Kumaon University, Nainital; Kurukshetra university, Madurai University; Madras University, Manipur University, Imphal; Marathwada University; Pondicherry University, Ravi Shankar university, Raipur; Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.	Graduate with 60% marks	1 year (August to July).
Graduate integrated course in Tourism.		College of Vocational studies, Delhi, University	10 + 2	3 years
Language Training Course for Professionals in Tourism.		Cultural organisation of foreign countries	Graduation	-do-
Full-time Diploma course in Travel & Tourism		Cultural organisation of foreign countries.	Graduation	1 year
Basic Course in Air Travel Fares & Ticketing.		The Ministry of Tourism & Delhi Tourism, 9 Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021.	Graduation	3 months
Basic Course in Air & Seal Carriage Services management.		The Ministry of Tourism & Delhi Tourism, 9 Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021.	Graduation	2 months
Basic course in Computer application in Tourism & Travel Industry	The Ministry of Tourism & Delhi Tourism, 9 Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021.		Graduation		2 months
Basic Course in Airlines, Travel Agency & Tour Operation Management.	The Ministry of Tourism & Delhi Tourism, 9 Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021.		Graduation		2 months
Courses in Spanish, Japanese, French, & Russian Language.	The Ministry of Tourism and Delhi Tourism, 9 Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021.				6 months.