Hospitality Management Schools And Careers

About Hospitality And Travel

The Hospitality and Travel industry is a major global service industry that comprises interconnected sectors that include but are not limited to, lodging (e.g., hotels, motels, resorts), food services, event planning, and travel (air, land, and sea). It is also an industry that is cyclical in nature and affected by fluctuations in the economy (e.g., recessions, growth, cost of living) that do not necessarily follow predictive patterns.

Career and job opportunities in the Hospitality and Travel industry are diverse and, depending upon the organization, its focus, and size, may include both part- and full-time roles where levels of responsibility vary. Examples of occupations include but are not limited to, Convention and/or Meeting Planner; Travel Agent; Hotel and Motel Manager or Assistant Manager. A highly common element shared by individuals in this industry is customer and/or personal service - from planning to advising to directing to coordinating the needs of clients or customers.

While occupations in this industry have their own requirements for specialized skills, abilities, and attributes, most have the following in common:

• performing work for, or working directly with the public
• planning, recording, and/or maintaining records, schedules, and/or budgets
• strong interpersonal and communications skills
• dependability, adaptability, flexibility
• solid time management abilities
• attention to detail

Hospitality Management Training and Travel Schools

Individuals entering the Hospitality and Travel industry will find that education and training requirements vary greatly and depend largely upon the specific occupation and level of responsibility. Some occupations simply require a minimum of a high school diploma. However, the majority of employers prefer applicants who possess a post-secondary degree, especially in certain occupations where a bachelors or masters degree may be required (e.g., large establishment Hotel Managers).

Individuals seeking a degree program focused on a specific industry segment such as hospitality management, hotel, restaurant, meeting and convention planning, and travel will find programs offered by colleges and universities. Some vocational and trade schools, as well as other academic institutions and industry organizations also offer courses that lead to formal recognition in areas such as hospitality management and meeting and convention planning.

Certification is available through industry associations and generally requires a combination of coursework, examinations, and experience.

For many occupations, the following are common:

• on-the-job training under the supervision of an experienced colleague or supervisor
• keeping abreast of changes and advancements through continuing education courses
• possessing and utilizing computer skills

Schools for Hospitality And Travel are listed in the column to the left.

The Subcategories tab lists career specialties for Hospitality And Travel, each of which has a full page profile on the site.

The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.

The Videos tab lets you watch videos describing many of the career specialties for Hospitality And Travel.