Careers in Hospitality

Why a career in hospitality management might be just for you?

A career in hospitality management is a very rewarding choice if you have excellent interpersonal skills, like to travel, and can easily adapt to the industry's rapid change. What can you expect from a career in this highly diverse field? What will your role and salary be? And which hospitality management programme should you choose?

What is hospitality management and where can it take you in your career?

Hospitality management involves overseeing the facilities or operations of businesses in the hospitality field, which includes hotels, resorts, restaurants, and spas. Hospitality revolves mainly around service, with the primary aim of making customers or guests feel welcome.

A career in hospitality management offers a wide range of opportunities, especially for graduates who aspire to an international career and wish to grow professionally. Opting for this path can lead you to develop your skills in fields as varied as food and beverage, travel and accommodation, event management, PR and marketing, digital transformation, and sustainability.

Where can hospitality take you in your career?

Career paths are as diverse as the industry itself, and with the sector constantly evolving and its potential for innovation growing all the time, there are many ways to boost your career.

Few sectors can boast the double-digit growth that the hospitality industry has been experiencing in recent years. The sector generates more than USD 6 billion a year, according to the World Tourism Council's 2022 report, and it shows no signs of slowing down, with projections predicting a further 5.8% increase by 2032. This is great news for those considering a career in this field.

If you are creative, have a passion for service and constantly strive to exceed guests' needs, your career opportunities can be limitless. A career in hospitality management can be a challenging yet thrilling journey which can take you anywhere in the world, even to the most remote, luxurious locations.

The employers offering career opportunities for hospitality management graduates include:

Restaurants and catering companies
Hotel chains and resorts
Conference and exhibition centres
Cruise and airline companies
PR companies
Event venues
Real estate
Recreation and leisure sector
Public and human resources sector
Financial and accounting services

Trailblazers, innovators

Students considering a career in the hospitality industry are the future innovators in the field. The customer-centric approach, financial acumen, and leadership are all skills acquired during their education that will enable them to shape the sector while creating their own opportunities.

The hospitality management sector is a broad field. The skills acquired are cross-disciplinary to the point of facilitating access to leading roles in sales and marketing, human resources and much more.

What you should know

Hospitality management is all about guest experience and satisfaction. The following skills will help you succeed in your career in hospitality management and international hotel business:

• Ability to provide outstanding customer service

• Excellent written, verbal, and media communication skills

• Ability to work cooperatively with a variety of personality traits

• Effective time management and organisation skills

• Strong work ethic and cultural awareness

• Entrepreneurship and business start-ups

These skills are partly acquired through practical experience and ongoing training. They will give you the necessary confidence and a competitive edge when it comes to seizing opportunities in hospitality management.

With a degree in hospitality management, you can take up managerial positions in various departments and sectors or choose to specialise in one area. As a hospitality manager, you'll be responsible for departments ranging from maintenance and housekeeping to spa services, concierge, and reception, amongst others.

The day-to-day tasks of a hospitality manager include overseeing the administrative, commercial, and operational activities of a hotel or restaurant. His or her responsibilities include managing the accounts and budget, optimising business performance, supervising and training staff, and monitoring customer complaints and inquiries.

A degree in hospitality management increases your chances of a career in management positions, which generally offer a higher salary range than lower-level roles. Salaries depend on many factors, such as geographical location, targeted sector, and company size.

The attractiveness of a career in hospitality management can also be measured by other benefits, such as the multiple opportunities for travel, great freedom of action, and the chance to discover new cultures and stimulating working environments.

Why get a degree in hospitality management?

As the saying goes, opportunity favours the prepared mind. BHMS and its renowned educational partners offer the ideal environment to develop your professional skills and gain practical experience.

With our programmes, you'll develop the knowledge and skills you need to thrive in demanding service environments. With our expertise and your dedication, you'll be prepared to deal with guests and customers effectively in first-class service settings.

As a hospitality student, I cultivated invaluable soft skills that fostered adaptability, empowering me to thrive across diverse fields and embrace fresh opportunities.

Undergraduate degrees in business and hospitality management

Our undergraduate degree programmes in business and hospitality management are designed for students and young professionals aiming for a career in the international hotel and hospitality field.

You will develop a wide range of customer service knowledge, whatever the industry. You'll learn about the operational aspects of the international hotel industry and key business and management principles.

Graduates may become accomplished managers with competencies suitable for a variety of sectors, both public and private. This curriculum is the ideal springboard for a postgraduate management programme or a master’s degree.

Postgraduate degrees in business and hospitality management

Our postgraduate programmes are designed for three target groups: degree holders in other fields who are considering a career in the international hotel industry or hospitality management, young professionals with an associate degree and significant work experience who wish to update their qualifications, and graduates from a BA programme who wish to deepen their understanding of the sector.

These postgraduate programmes in hospitality business management will enable you to acquire strong skills in critical thinking and problem-solving, IT and hospitality management tools, and communication. You will develop a comprehensive set of leadership skills and behaviours that will allow you to grow into management roles in various business sectors and enhance your managerial knowledge and ability.

Industry internships

As well as teaching you the key theoretical concepts of hospitality management, our degree programmes offer unique opportunities to immerse yourself in the industry. Professional internships lasting several months are an integral part of the curriculum. These internships will also help you keep up to date with industry trends and build your network. One thing's for sure: the on-the-job, real-life experience will be an undeniable advantage when you graduate and go on to get your first job.