Hospitality. An industry as diverse as the culinary delights that grace its establishments’ tables. A customer-oriented mindset is the guiding principle of the industry. Then there is management which stands for leadership and responsibility. Put the two together, and you get “hospitality management”.
But what is hospitality management? Where might it take you in terms of your professional career? How much might you earn in the hospitality management profession? And what would a Hospitality Management degree entail?
Hospitality management definition
Hospitality management is a broad field that involves overseeing the day-to-day administrative, operational, and commercial activities of businesses in the hospitality industry. As opposed to the more narrowly focused “hotel management”, hospitality management is an umbrella term that covers various industries such as food and beverage, travel and accommodation, and event management. The departments under a hospitality manager’s stewardship may range from maintenance and housekeeping to spa services, concierge, reception, and many more.
Hospitality management responsibilities
The responsibilities that fall to hospitality managers differ according to the setting in which they are employed. Chiefly, these can include the following:
- Accounting and budgeting
- Interviewing, training, and managing staff
- Assisting with daily operations
- Optimizing business performance
- Fielding customer complaints and inquiries
- Championing sustainability intiatives
- Ensuring health and safety compliance
Business management vs. Hospitality management degrees
Much like a degree in Business Management, a Hospitality Management degree offers comprehensive insights into the structure and functioning of companies and organizations. Students are taught the respective management skills, such as leadership and delegation, teamwork and communication, IT, analysis, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
The Hospitality Management syllabus, however, is tailored to the hospitality sector, which epitomizes customer service. You'll learn the importance of customer centricity and how to deal with customers effectively, no matter what industry.
"People remember how we made them feel. Through emotional experiences, we build up great memories. Our graduates’ hospitality mindset, built upon soft skills that focus on people-centricity, make them build your future great memories.
At EHL, we believe that hospitality management goes above and beyond managing a hospitality business that involves dining, lodging, events, entertainment, or travel experiences. We believe in human experiences that yield great memories. So, we build them for you.”
Stéphanie POUGNET ROZAN, Associate Dean Undergraduate School at EHL
Why entrepreneurs study hospitality management
Hospitality Management courses are a breeding ground for entrepreneurs. Hospitality management offers aspiring entrepreneurs a rare opportunity to combine practical and theoretic education, known as a dual education model, which sets you up for entrepreneurial success by strengthening the essential hard and soft skills.
Hospitality management jobs
Hospitality management can be a challenging yet rewarding career but not everyone is suited to it. Several types of employers offer career opportunities in hospitality management, for instance: hotel chains, conference and exhibition centers, events venues, bars and pubs, restaurants and fast-food outlets, airlines, as well as the public sector.
Alongside the roles listed above, hospitality management skills may open the door to a career in a wide range of different roles, including:
- Marketing/Sales
- Public relations
- Human resources
- Customer services
- Tourism
- Finance/Accounting
Salary expectations
Salaries vary depending on your location, market of choice, and the scale and status of the enterprise, among other factors. However, what is certain is that a Hospitality Management degree ensures a greater chance of obtaining a career in leadership positions which typically offer higher pay brackets than lower-level roles.
Other perks to a career in Hospitality Management include:
- Meeting people from different cultures
- Working in diverse and dynamic environments
- Travel opportunities
The hospitality jobs market
Whilst many sectors experienced mass layoffs in 2023, the hospitality sector keeps growing, representing a prosperous sector for job opportunities now and in the near future. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' current Occupational Outlook Handbook, job growth for hotel managers is expected to increase at the rate of 18% through 2031, which is much faster than average.
Hospitality management degree
While secondary education suffices for some hospitality jobs, the leap into hospitality management’s diverse and rewarding roles and higher pay bracket is best facilitated by obtaining a Hospitality Management degree. A Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management will equip you with the following skills:
- Analysis, critical thinking, and problem-solving
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Leadership and delegation
- IT and hospitality management tools
- Networking
Ideally, a Hospitality Management degree confers professional skills and management expertise on the one hand, and cultural awareness, language skills, and real work experience on the other.
This is certainly the case at critically acclaimed EHL. Its Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management combines industry immersion with management theory and applied business projects, giving you all the input you need to become a well-rounded professional - as well as being the ideal stepping stone to a Graduate Management Program or Master’s degree.
Hospitality skills are transferable
Hospitality skills are known for their transferable nature into other industries due to the unique blend of business acumen and soft skills acquired.
"EHL has equipped me with invaluable abilities in networking, socializing, and public speaking. Unlike many colleagues and peers from other schools, EHL provided numerous opportunities to engage with professionals in the industry, facilitating exchanges among students and international peers."
Alice GARNIER, Real Estate Investment Manager
Studying for a degree in hospitality management opens up your career prospects to a large breadth of different industries, including:
- Entertainment
- Luxury
- Food & Beverage
- Health and Wellness
- Technology
- Business Management
- Hotels
- Real Estate
- Marketing
Hospitality management: the go-to choice for those with a service mindset, aptitude for critical thinking, and hunger for leadership looking to work in a diverse field.
Is hospitality management the right career for you?
With the right training and expertise, a career in hospitality management can offer an exciting and diverse professional career that can be molded to your unique personality and aspirations.
A Hospitality Management degree not only opens doors to a thriving industry but also broadens your horizons to seize opportunities in various business sectors beyond the realm of hospitality.
Enrolling at EHL Hospitality Business School will not only provide you with a comprehensive global outlook and leadership expertise but will also enhance your communication and problem-solving abilities, transforming you into a well-rounded and adaptable professional.
