Hospitality, Education and Career

Have you ever noticed that waiter in that fancy restaurant, who responds to all your calls, and obeys each and every order with outmost diligence, without ever losing his temper? Or that nice air hostess, who respects your opinions about the quality of food, and always hears to you with a smile on her face? If yes, then you are one of the many people who have received the services of the hospitality industry.

Hospitality Management is a branch of study that deals with the ability to cater to the needs of guests, run hotels, manage travel and tourism, along with the management of events and other related businesses. It can prove to be a dream job for anyone who prefers being among people and has initial hospitality skills. It enhances the etiquettes and skills to meet and serve people as per their desires, which add to one’s versatility.

Hospitality industry, with regard to restaurant businesses, in any country, is by far the fastest growing industry and has become one of the biggest employers in India. It is estimated that between now and 2018, hospitality industry will create around 375 million jobs, which is almost equivalent to 11% of the total world employment.

India is also known for its traditional hospitality skills, which is depicted by the widespread phrase:

“Atithi Devo Bhava”

Due to the immense practical knowledge imparted in the studies of Hospitality Management, the aspirants tend to gain a lot of experience much before they can get their first job. The course of Hospitality Management is one of the most sought-after courses in India. The hospitality industry has attained a very high status all over the world and demands high standards of work from its employees. There are many employment facilities in this industry, but they require potential for personal expertise in this field. A respectable job in this field requires some specific skills, namely keen attitude, persuasion power, punctuality, good personality, friendly behaviour, personal and social hygiene, self-confidence and, last but not the least, honesty and efficiency. A career in hospitality management requires quality education, along with extensive practical knowledge, and a country like India, which is known for its hospitality, is an ideal place to know more about the same.

Numerous courses are available in India, which are undertaken by a lot of H.M. aspirants to succeed in this field. The courses are- one, two and three-year Diploma Courses, three and four-year Bachelor’s degrees, two year P.G. Diploma, M.Sc. and a six-month Certificate Course in Hotel and Catering Management.

The different courses mentioned above require certain eligibility criteria. For instance, Diploma Courses, Bachelor’s degree, P.G. Course and Certificate Course all require a student to pass Class XII with a minimum of 50% marks.

There are umpteen institutes and colleges available in India which provide the aforementioned courses and degrees. Some of the prominent ones are FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management, Noida; Institute of Hospitality Management, Goa; MS Ramaiah College of Hotel Management, Bangalore; and many more. All these require the candidates to be Class XI pass-out and require them to give an entrance exam to get enrolled in the desired programmes.

Internships and practical applications of various skills are also integrated in the studies of Hotel Management. It is highly advisable that a student should do internship, since it provides exposure to work environment, and helps a great deal in the job placement.

Once a student completes his/her studies for Hospitality Management, there are numerous option for him/her to choose from- Hotel Manager, Hotel Clerk, Concierge, Executive Chef, are some of the most popular jobs in this sector. These jobs are well placed, and if a student has enough potential to get a job in the U.S.A., then the annual salary received can be as high as $150,000.

One of the best examples of a highly-placed personality in the field of Hospitality Management is the Michelin starred Indian chef, Vikas Khanna. Coming from the Indian city of Amritsar, he went on to become one of India’s leading chefs, and has received various awards, both national and international, for his culinary and hospitality skills. He has worked with some of the top chefs, like Bobby Flay, Sanjeev Kapoor, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and not to forget the legendary Gordon Ramsay.

The hospitality industry is a glamorous and vibrant field. A career in this industry opens up opportunities to earn a very good living, and it is an ideal career for those who like to travel and meet with people, and for those who love to cater to people’s needs. If you like to travel round the world, and want to serve eminent personalities, then Hospitality Management is the job for you.