INTRODUCTION TO THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRYLESSON 1

OBJECTIVES

After this lesson, you should be able to:

Discuss the nature of the hospitality industry;

Name the characteristics of the hospitality industry;

Enumerate the scope of the hospitality industry; and;

Define the terms used in the industry.

In an increasingly competitive

employment arena, one must prepare

for and secure strong, definite jobs

which lead to long-term realistic career

options and opportunities.

One of the fastest growing

sectors of the economy of our time is

the hospitality industry. The hospitality

industry alone is a multi-billion dollar

enterprise. It is exciting, never boring

and offers unlimited opportunities.

THINK ABOUT THIS:

It makes sense to prepare for a

job in which you have numerous

opportunities for advancement,

because it will be an economic

advantage for you in the long run.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY:

Hospitality businesses are open 365 days a year and twenty-four hours a day.

The hospitality industry depends heavily on shift work (morning shift and afternoon shift).

There is a graveyard shift (which usually starts from 10:00 P.M. and lasts until 6:00 A.M.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY:

The hospitality business produce guest satisfaction which is different from other business sectors.

Products of the hospitality business are intangible and perishable.

SCOPE OF THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

LODGING SEGMENT

> Hotels> Motels> Inns> Resorts> Pensions

FOOD AND BEVERAGE SEGMENT

>Restaurants> Fastfood> Catering

ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION

> Attractions> Gaming> Parks> Clubs

TRAVEL AND

TOURISM

> Transportation> Travel agencies> Tour operators

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

Until the late 1950s, management personnel in the hospitality industry were not formally college educated.

Those interested in hospitality management typically began their careers by taking lower-level jobs to learn the business and eventually worked their way up through the organization.

ENTRY LEVEL MANAGEMENT POSITIONS

The multifaceted nature of the hospitality industry suggests that the opportunities available are in a number of different areas.

In hotels, individuals might be given such job titles as:

Managers Assistant Managers Supervisors Service Associates

In restaurants and similar foodservice operations, analogous positions might carry such titles as:

ManagersManagement TraineeAssistant ManagerDining Room ManagerStewardBar ManagerBanquet ManagerService Staff

QUALIFICATIONS AND EMPLOYER ASSESSMENT

Attitude and Character

Communication Skills

Skills and Experiences