Hospitality, one of the largest industries in term of manpower employed is not only people dependant but people-oriented too. The entire gamut of Tourism operations does not deal with tangible saleable products like tasty food and comfortable beds only. The human warmth which surrounds every product like a halo is not seen- but felt and is the corner stone of such operations.
Over the years, the graph of tourist movement – both domestic and international-Kept on showing an upwardly mobile direction, as a result the hotel or the hospitality education came up. The vast potential of India’s multifaced grandeur who identified by the national builders after independence and the need for professionally trained manpower was established. Hotel/hospitality education came into existence then.
Within a span of 40 years the services in the hotel in India have gained a reputation though out the world with some of them featuring in the list of world's best hostels every year.
A multibillion-dollar industry hospitality is our country’s third largest industry employing 9.5 million people nationally. The hospitality industry is defined as the activity of providing lodging fooding, beverage and recreational services, which include hotels, motels, clubs, casinos, restaurants, recreational facilities, tourism, cruise lines them parks. The options available in this industry are eye-catching. The history of the hospitality industry dated back all the way to the colonial period, when in 1874 the first city hotel opened in New York City. Things have changed quite a bit and the hospitality industry has experienced significant develop-ment over the years as it has faced the World Wars, the depression and various social changes. The industry as we know in India today began to take form in the early 1950’s leading the way for growth into the dynamic industry. Career options into the hospitality industry have continued to grow with the industry. There are different descriptions, which outline the different levels of hospitality positions. The first is the entry level where in an initial experience and skill is gained and which in turn can help in the advancement of the career. The task given here are related to the positions and acts as a valuable component to the success of the hospitality entity.
The next level is the skilled level, where more stress is given on enhancing specific skills and capabilities, which can be used as a ladder to climb the pillar of success. The third level can see a more mature blend of experience, training and initiative which when combined creates and ability to lead employees and manage business. So this level is called Managerial level. There are enormous career opportunities which can be obtained in the hospitality industry.
There are multiple choices in the hospitality industry. This industry demands that the person should be a good worker, having positive attitude, with food communication skill, having an ability to sacrifice. While under training a hospitality professional is inculcated appearance with the professional appearance and ability to work under pressure. Although these qualities may seem simple they are constantly being put to the test due to the request of the people serve by this very demanding industry.
Regardless of the work within hospitality there is always a rise in guests/customer’s expectation and where in the professionals have to ensure that the guests experience is pleasant and memorable.
After getting a job in the hospitality industry position and money flows upwards people are well compensated after the successful completion of the job. Today wages for hospitality are very competitive as compared to those of other industry. A wide ranges of salaries are available in this industry. Several elements beginning with capability/skill and performance well impact the income.
The industry is becoming increasing complex with a greater emphasis being placed on specialize training. Demand is Increasing with special skills obtained in colleges, technical institutes, vocational schools. Programs range in length from a few moths to several years. Nearly 200 community and junior colleges offer 2 years degree programmes in hotel and restaurants management. It is possible to obtain a 4-year college degree in the liberal arts or other fields and enter into a trainee or junior management track. However a bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in hotel and restaurants management provides the strongest background, for a career as a hotel manager, with nearly 150 colleges and universities offering programmes in India. Graduates of these programmes are highly sought by employers in this industry. New graduates often go through on the job training programmes before being given much responsibility. Eventually, they can advance to a top management position in a large chain operation.
Travel & Tourism
Travel and Tourism is considered to be the largest services–based industry in the world. Tourism Is the largest foreign exchange earner among all industries, an provides direct employment to lakh of people. This industry exist in private as well as public sectors in the segments in this field 0 travel agents and tour operators.
Travel agents deal with the marketing of travel and tourism planning and selling trips to individual or groups. Tour operators are engaged in travel and destination management. Public sector deals with the promotion of tourism in India. Therefore most public sector organization in this field run a network of hotels, information centers and other facilities and services for visitors to the country, besides being involved in development of tourism infrastructure and expanding the industry, Railways, airline carriers, Department of Tourism India Tourism Development Corporation and State Tourism Development Corporations assist these organizations.
Attributes
Those wishing to enter the travel and tourism industry have to be enterprising. Candidates should have drive and the capacity for hard work, since achievement is the key to success in this industry Work in this industry involves dealing with people. Travel company personnel should be aware of the current rules and regulations and documentation that goes into passport and visa and so on. All staff in marketing, counter sales, or guide services, should be aware of the general background, air, road and rail connections and facilities available at the place their clients visit.
Eligibility
Those seeking an entry into the field can either join a travel agency or a tour operating company or take up a, position in a government department or corporation. New entrants are given on–the-job training. However, a basic diploma in travel and tourism management will be advantageous.
Students of 10+2 can pursue a Diploma of Bachelors‘s degree programmes in hotel management to gain professional training. Most hotel management institutes test students though a written examination on English, reasoning general science and general knowledge, followed by a group discussion and interview. The final year of the courses sees students specializing in their area of interest and aptitude whether it be front office, food and beverage, housekeeping or food production, all of which are major department in a hotel. Operations, engineering, security, marketing, public relations finance and IT are other department to specialists that these openings to specialists in these respective spheres. Each department has its own precise tasks and provides necessary training in the initial years to equip the fresher.
Status of Hospitality Management Education in India
In India currently there are 13937 managers, 20707 super-visors and 128077 staff, all 3 categories totaling to 162721 employees in 1722 star category hotels ( from 1 to 5 star deluxe ) in the hotel industry in India.
There is a requirement of about 15000 additional trained persons in the star category hotels in India, which includes about 2700 managers, about 2500 supervisors and about 1000 staff member and supervisor categories which totals to 5200 and will be filled by 3 to 4 years diploma and degree holders In 1 star, government approved/ unapproved hotels, restaurants and other catering establishments, it is estimated that there is an additional requirement every year for about 7500 diploma/degree holders in the country and about 15000-20000 one-year certificate holders.
WHERE TO STUDY
* National Institute of Tourism & Hospitality Management, Hyderabad
* National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology, New Delhi-110012
* Delhi Institute of Hotel Management, New Delhi
* Institute of Hotel Manage-ment, Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition, Goa-403521
* State Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Tamil Nadu
* Amity School of Hotel Hospitality, NOIDA ( UP)
* Institute of Hotel Management, Gujarat
* Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition, Meerut.
* Oriental School of Hotel Management, Kozhikode-673 004
* Indian Institute of Hotel Management, Kolkata
* North Eastern Regional Institute of Management, Guwahati
* OSHM-A Centre of Excellence in Hospitality Studies, Kerala (Affiliated to Calicut University)
* Madras Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Chennai
* Institute of Advanced Management, Kolkata-700064
* International Institute of Hotel Management, Kolkata-700091
* Guru Nanak Institute of Hotel Management, Kolkata-700114
* ASIA Pacific International School of Hotel Management, Kolkata-700064
* Institute of Hotel & Tourism Management (EST. 2002), Jallandhar
* Institute of Hotel & Restaurant Management, Kolkata- 700150
* Golden Regency Institute of Hospitality Management, West Bengal-721657
* Durgapur Society of Management Science, Durgapur-6
* Pailan School of International Studies, Kolkata-700104
* Institute for International Management& Technology, Gurgaon (Haryana)
* Skyline Institute of Travel & Tourism , New Delhi.
The list is indicative. In addition to these there are many Indian Universities, also various institutions which provide Diploma/Degree Courses in Travel and Tourism Management in many states of India.
| Jobs | Cities Ranking (1 to 5) | ||||
| Hotel | Mumbai | Delhi | Bangalore | Chennai | Hyderabad |
| Tourism | Mumbai | Delhi | Bangalore | Chennai | Kolkata |
| Expected Salary Figures in % |
Rs. 5,001-10000 | Rs. 10,001-19000 | Rs. 20,001-25000 | Rs. 25,000+ | |
| Hotel | 0 | 62 | 14 | 6 | |
| Tourism | 11 | 63 | 8 | 5 | |
| What Employers look for while Recruiting ( Ranking 1 2 3 4 5 ) | |||||
| Hotel | Education | Soft Skills | Training | Aptitude | Experience |
| Tourism | Education | Soft Skills | Aptitude | Training | Experience |
Finally, Choose a career not for money, fame or glamour it seems to offer, but only if you are passionate about it and feel certain that it will help you realize your true potential.
Author:Prof. (Dr.) P.K. Dutta
(Director, Institute of Management & Technology, affiliated to Kurukshetra University, Haryana)
Courtesy - EN