The hospitality industry is a fast-moving sector in the global economy. This year, it is predicted that the industry will generate 3.6 million jobs and experience a 28% increase in its labor force, which means it is constantly on the lookout for talented individuals to participate in this momentum!
But how do hospitality businesses, especially hotels, find the right talent for their establishments? This is where hotel management studies come into the picture. Hotel management encompasses a lot of hotel operational aspects as its subjects of learning, which is why the graduates are often favored due to their all-around capabilities in hotel operations.
So, does pursuing hotel management studies guarantee you a successful hospitality career? Well, the possibility is always there. If you plan to enroll in or continue your study in hotel management, you should check out this article first. We have compiled everything you need to know about hotel management studies here, from its profile and recommended schools to job opportunities!
About Hotel Management Studies
Hotel management students.
Let’s start with this question: What is hotel management? According to Xotels, hotel management is a field of business and a study that revolves around the operational aspects of a hotel. These aspects include administration, guest satisfaction, marketing, human resources, information systems, finance, and many more.
For hotels, the existence of hotel management studies is a gold mine of human resources. Every day is a challenge for hotels to adapt to changes that require more than just people to overcome it, but also talents! Hence, hotel management courses are what you would call a complete package. With their broad scope of study, hotel management lays the foundation for one to become an all-rounder valuable asset, and a future leader in the hospitality industry.
As a field of study, hotel management also encourages the use of strategic thinking, leadership, innovation, and a passion for hospitality services. With its wide range of disciplines, there is a variety of professional careers in hotel departments that hotel management graduates can pursue, making it a popular choice for hospitality students to enroll in.
After our brief introduction to hotel management studies, the next thing you might be questioning is “what are the things that hotel management students learn?” Well, expect to find the answer here because we have already covered it for you in the following section!
What You’ll Learn in Hotel Management Studies
Hotel management is a broad discipline! Hence, pursuing it will provide you with a wide range of essential skills, knowledge, and experience needed in the hospitality industry. That being said, what are the things that you will learn in hotel management? See below for a few examples!
1. General Management
An illustration of general management.
We all know how many staff members it takes for a hotel to run its business. However, have you ever wondered how hotels manage their staff? In general management, you will learn the A to Z of people management in hotels, which will help you to understand thoroughly how management and employees in hotels operate.
2. Operational Leadership
An illustration of operational leadership.
Studying operational leadership will teach you about problem-solving, system design, and coordination; all of which are crucial for providing stability to the hotel’s organization and maintaining a strong operational foundation. If you aim to be a hotel operational leader, mastering operational leadership is a must!
3. Interpersonal Skills
Interacting with guest is an example of interpersonal skills.
This is one of the most important capabilities that any hospitality worker has to develop! With interpersonal skills, you will be able to handle various issues effectively, such as dealing with an unsatisfied guest or resolving conflicts among staff members. Moreover, this skill also provides you with valuable tips on emotional regulation that can be useful in many aspects of your life!
4. Marketing Strategies
An illustration of marketing strategies.
Competition in the hospitality industry is tough, which is why marketing is essential to ensure the success of a hotel! Studying marketing strategies will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to attract guests and maximize revenue for the overall success of a hotel business.
5. Economics & Accounting
Economics and accounting.
A hotel is a business establishment, which is why economic factors heavily influence it. Many hospitality schools include economics as a subject in their hotel management programs, where students learn about economic trends, business cycles, taxation, and more. Often, accounting subject is also offered alongside economics as it is a complex and highly essential aspect of a hotel’s operations.
Where to Study Hotel Management?
Nowadays, hotel management programs are commonly found in numerous hospitality schools, so, if you plan to enroll or continue your studies in one, take a look at our compilation of the best hospitality schools below!
1. Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland
Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne. (via EHL)
Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) was founded in 1893 by Jacques Tschumi, making it the oldest hospitality school in the world! It offers hotel management studies for students of all ages and backgrounds, ranging from bachelor’s and master’s degrees to short courses and online programs. This year, EHL has been ranked first by the QS World University Ranking for Hospitality and Leisure Management, marking its fifth year in a row!
2. Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management in UAE
Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management. (via EAHM)
Situated across the renowned five-star hotel Burj Al Arab, the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM) is ideal for students to experience the international work-in-hotel environment! The school ranks as one of the best hospitality schools worldwide and holds the number 1 position in the Middle East. EAHM offers a variety of programs to learn hotel management, including a fast-track bachelor’s degree and a professional training and development program.
3. Hotelschool The Hague in the Netherlands
Hotelschool The Hague. (via Hotelschool)
The school has two campuses: one located in The Hague and another in Amsterdam, both offering hospitality management courses through their programs, which range from bachelor’s to master’s degrees. The Hotelschool, which is among the top league universities worldwide this year, was founded in 1929 by the hospitality industry. Ever since then, it has catered to students from more than 60 nationalities!
4. School of Hotel and Tourism Management in Hong Kong
School of Hotel and Tourism Management. (via PolyU)
Also known as SHTM, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management is one of the schools under the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). SHTM is a top-league school with more than 40 years of educational excellence and 1400 students! Its range of programs spans from undergraduate to postgraduate programs, all of which provide students with knowledge and skills in hotel management.
5. Swiss Hotel Management School in Switzerland
Swiss Hotel Management School. (via SEG)
A part of the Swiss Education Group, the Swiss Hotel Management School or SHMS is ranked amongst the top hospitality schools worldwide (2nd best in Switzerland and 3rd best in the world)! The school embraces learning by doing methods through its innovative and career-focused academic programs from undergraduate to graduate levels, making it an ideal choice to pursue hotel management studies.
Hotel Management Career Path
Hotel management career path.
Considering the number of world-class hospitality institutions that offer hotel management courses, graduates of hotel management are in high demand. Its career prospects are promising and scattered throughout the hospitality industry, hence, we have prepared a list of some exciting hotel management jobs that might pique your interest!
Entry-level & Associate-level Positions:
- Front Office Staff
- Associate Manager
- Guest Relations Staff
- VIP Lounge Assistant
- Business Development Staff
Senior-level & Top-level Management Positions:
- General Manager
- Director of Operations
- Group Regional Manager
- Hospitality Services Director
- Business Development Director
Wrapping Up
Such an interesting field of study hotel management is! Its broad disciplines and variety of career choices provide everything it would take for someone to be a valuable asset in the hospitality industry. As an important source of skillful talents, many hospitality schools worldwide respond to this matter by offering hotel management courses in a variety of programs!
Starting your path in the hospitality industry by pursuing hotel management studies is an excellent choice. However, as the wise words say, “all roads lead to Rome” – which means that there are plenty of ways for you to reach the top of a successful hospitality career aside from studying hotel management.
An alternative is by joining hospitality internships or management training programs that are specifically designed for participants to attain knowledge, skills, and hands-on working experience in the fast-paced, dynamic hotel environment. Speaking of which, you can obtain all of those opportunities with RMC Asia!
Expect the extraordinary in our hospitality internships and management training programs! Not only do we provide you with essential skills and experience, but our programs also offer participants the chance to indulge in unique cultural exchanges, thanks to our enticing program destinations across Asia.
Discover your true potential now! Join our successful participants and secure your dream internship in prestigious hotels and resorts here.
Recommended: Recharge Yourself with Wellness Hospitality and Tourism
