HOTEL MANAGMENT

The boom in the tourism industry has resulted in the immense growth of hotel industry in India. The hotel industry promises a bright future for anyone who wishes to take up a career in this segment. The students opting for hotel management career courses must have an affinity towards socializing and understanding the needs of the people.

As hotels fall under the service industry, the motive of hotel management courses in India is to prepare the students to face the challenges of this competitive world. As far as tourism industry in India is concerned, it is attracting tourists from across the world and this definitely calls for quality hospitality.

Hotel Management Course Scope

Hotel management job opportunities exists both in the private and public sector. One can look for various openings available in the hotels of the nation. Most of the hotels in India offer lucrative pay packages to the suitable candidates. The jobs offered are satisfying as well as highly rewarding.

Hotel Management Course Admissions

Candidates seeking admission to the hotel management courses in India need to pass their 12th standard examination with English as a subject. Students with a bachelor's degree from any recognized university may also join some of the management training schemes offered by various institutions. Admission depends on the performance of the students in the written admission test, personal interview round and group discussion session. The time duration of the courses offered by several institutes may vary from six months to three years.

Personal Factor

Being a service industry, having the right attitude is most important. The employees must have an outgoing and pleasant personality, capacity for hard work and a liking for interacting with people. The ability to keep the situation under control during any crisis, discipline, commitment and dedication is a must.
 
The Prospects

Besides working in hotels, hotel management diploma/degree holders have the following options:

* Restaurant Management/Fast Food Joint Management

* Club Management/Recreation & Health Centre Management

* Cruise Ship Hotel Management

* Hospital Administration and Catering

* Institutional and Industrial Catering

* Airline Catering and Cabin Services

* Manufacturers and Suppliers of Hotel and Restaurant Equipment and Services

* Hotel and Catering Institutes

* Hotel and Tourism Associations

* Catering Departments in banks and insurance houses

* With government owned catering departments, for example railway, armed forces, ministerial conventions, etc.

* In food, confectionery, beverage production industries.

Hotel Management as a Career Option

Hotel management is one of the most interesting career options in the contemporary job market. Career training from a recognized and reputed hotel management institute is just an icing on the cake.

In India there are many hotel management institutes and colleges which provide hospitality or hotel management courses.

These hotel management courses make one aware of the operating-sections of the hotel industry like front office, general operations, sales and marketing, food and beverage, service keeping and catering.

Jobs in Hotel Management

The Managers

Hotel managers are responsible for the efficient and profitable operation of their establishments. The General Manager controls the finances, establishment norms to be followed by the staff while providing their services to the guests, housekeeping, food quality, decor and interiors. Assistant Managers supervise the day-to-day operations of their departments. Large hotels have Resident Managers to resolve problems round the clock. The Department Managers work under the supervision and guidance of the top management.

The Front Office

The first people to welcome guests in a hotel are the personnel in the front office. The Front Office Manager supervises the work of the receptionists, information clerk, reservation clerk and other service personnel like bell captain, bell boy and doorman. The Bell Boy assists the guests with the baggage to check in to the room. The Bell Captain supervises the work of bell boys. The Information Clerk delivers the telephone messages to the guests through the Bell Captain.

F&B (Food and Beverage)

This department includes:

* Culinary Unit

* Steward Department

* Food Service Department

Restaurant and Food Service Managers are responsible for stocks of tableware, linens, paper, supplies furniture, and fixtures cleaning. They arrange for equipment maintenance and repairs. They also have to maintain records of hours and wages of employees, payrolls, and taxes, etc. Banquet Managers are in-charge of catering assignments.

Housekeeping

A hotel requires maintenance on a very large scale. Hotels have a house keeping department to look after cleanliness in rooms, lounges, lobby, restaurant, dining halls, parks etc. This department functions under the supervision of the Executive Housekeeper.

Executive Housekeepers are responsible for ensuring that guest rooms, meeting and banquet rooms and public areas are clean, orderly and well maintained. They train, schedule and supervise the work of housekeepers, inspect rooms and order for the necessary supplies. Housekeeping is a round the clock job .This department works in shifts.

Marketing Department

Today marketing of services is a major aspect of hotel management. Sales and marketing division works to identify the needs of prospective customers, develop stay packages to suit their needs and sell the services, which have been developed.