Career in Hotel Management

Hotels are amongst the most visible and important aspects of a country's infrastructure. Hotel industry is a closely linked one to the tourism industry. A number of factors like promotion of tourism and rapid industrial progress have given a boost to hoteliering. The recent liberalisation of trade and opening up of economy will further lead to revolutionary growth in this sector.

In any country, the hospitality industry is inextricably linked with its overall economic prosperity and resourcefulness. In other words the developmental level of the hospitality industry could well be considered the index of its all round growth. Trade and commerce too would be unable to thrive were there not adequate facilities and provisions for the overseas traders and business people.

Hotel Management Courses:

Hotel management courses are usually of 3 year duration leading to the grant of a diploma/degree but some degree courses are also of four years duration.

Hotel Management courses at all institutes offer a blend of therotical and practical training. Students are given hands-on training in running of a hotel so that they can apply their tgeoretical learning to real-life situations and learn how to improve adapt.

i. BHM - Bachelor of Hotel Management
ii. DHM - Diploma in Hotel Management
iii. BHMCT - Bachelor of Hotel Management & Catering Technology
iv. DHMCT - Diploma in Hotel Management & Catering Technology
v. PGDHM - Post Graduate Diploma in Hotel Management

Career Prospects

There are ample job avenues for Hotel Management graduates in various fields. They can join varieties of hotels and restaurants flourishing in the country. Students from reputed institutes of hotel management can join catering services of Railways, Airlines, Shipping companies, Banks and also in Defense sector. There are many Clubs and hotel and tourism association who need the services of professional hotel managers. Besides industrial canteen and other institutional canteen of collages, schools, factories and company guest house also need the service of such people. A few proceed to pursue postgraduate studies in hotel management and opt for teaching jobs. Hospitals and other institutions also engage hotel management professionals. Moreover self employment opportunities are always available to Hotel Management graduates.

Job Prospects

General Operations: The main responsibilities of this department include supervision, co-ordination and administration of all other departments as well as overall financial control.

Front Office: It is the centre of all activities. Major tasks performed here include: providing information, making room reservations and taking care of check-ins and check-outs, besides the duties performed by the Personnel Department of any company.

Accounting: This department deals with both cash and credit transactions, i.e all the financial transactions like purchase of materials, offering of services to the guests etc. This department also compiles information required for budgeting, pricing of food and services and so on. Professionals like cash, cost and works accountants are given higher positions in the department. Chief cashier, cash clerk/bill clerk are the positions handled in this department.

Sales & Marketing: This department keeps in touch with travel agents and tour operators as well as other potential corporate clients in order to sell hotel facilities. This department also normally handles Advertising and Public Relations.

Food & Beverage: This department is the hub of the hotel industry and is responsible for all the food that is prepared and served in the hotel.

Engineering / Maintenance: Qualified engineers are appointed for the maintenance of the building and various machines involved in the premises. They are assisted by necessary staff in the electrical and mechanical departments. Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineer, Plumbers, carpenters etc are employed by this department.

House Keeping: The main function of the housekeeping department is to make sure that all rooms are kept in order and all the needs of the guests are met.

Eligibility:

Qualification required to go for a course in hotel management is 10+2. For certificate, diploma and bachelors courses 10+2 is sufficient. Duration of certificate courses is six months to one year. Bachelor and diploma courses are of duration one and half to three years. Those with graduation can go for post graduate diploma courses the duration of which is one year.

Selection to most government recognised institutes is based on common entrance test. Test consists of English, Reasoning, General Science and General Knowledge. The test is of two hour duration and is held around April every year. The test is followed by a group discussion and interview, in which a person's personality and confidence is seen. Private institutes also conduct tests of their own, the pattern of which is almost the same.

Hotel Management Institutes in India:

• Army Institute of Hotel Management and Catering
• Acharya Institute of Hotel Management
• BV institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology
• Canon School of Hotel Management and Catering Technology
• Christ College Bangalore
• IIAS School of Management & Catering Technology
• IPS Academy of Hotel Management & Catering Technology
• Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Chennai
• Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Mumbai
• Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Delhi
• Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Bangalore
• Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Calcutta
• Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Ahmedabad
• JP Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology
• Oxford College of Hotel Management
• RM Institute of Hotel Management
• Sathyabama Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology
• Saptagiri College of Hotel Management
• Taj Group Hotels

Remuneration

The emoluments vary between the different organizations which employ them. Minimum monthly emoluments are approximately Rs. 7500-Rs 10000 depending upon factors such as the category of employing hotel, institute from where the student graduated, city of location, etc. In public sector organization salary is lower than from industrial houses, private airlines, shipping companies etc. Self employment in this sector is always highly remunerative.