10 Reasons To Study Hospitality Management
We’re constantly looking for a job that is fulfilling, fun, and offers self-growth. We’re constantly looking for a job that doesn’t always feel like a job. Having noticed that people on the industry of Hospitality and Tourism have this sense of self-contentment and vibrancy, I compiled a list of reasons to consider studying Hospitality Management (or any other degree on the field, really).
1. It is an industry that is constantly evolving
Hospitality is one of the fastest-growing industries of the world and doesn’t plan on stopping. It is expected to create over 80 million new jobs over the next ten years which means your job is very secure. As found by World Travel & Tourism Council, 7 million new jobs have been created worldwide on the industry of Travel and Tourism.
2. You will get to see the world
Traveling for a living doesn’t sound bad, does it? Well, studying for a Hospitality Management degree gives you the opportunity to do just that. You’ll get to see many new places which will surely make the job more fun. If you decide to do a study abroad program, then awesome, innovative opportunities await you! Therefore, hospitality professionals are needed across the globe.
3. You will be well-paid and have career advancement opportunities
Among the many jobs in the hospitality and tourism industry, most of them pay very well. If you are wondering which those jobs are (so you can aim for them), here you go:
- Airplane pilot
- Concierge
- Cruise line representative, Cruise ship captain
- Flight attendant
- Hotel general manager
- Chauffeur, taxi driver
- Tour guide, travel clerk, etc.
According to Indeed, a hotel general manager earns an average of $64,000 annually, a cruise ship captain usually earns a salary of $99,122, and chauffeurs earn up to $40,000 annually.
Moreover, advancement opportunities are available for a variety of positions in travel and tourism careers. Due to the industry’s peak being the summer, people hired as seasonal staff earn high-paying promotions. The global hotel industry alone is expected to generate $550 billion in revenue worldwide in 2020. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about money if you decide to pursue a career in this field.
4. You will be able to enjoy the finer things in life
Taking into account the NBC poll that revealed that 72% of millennials prioritize experience over material things, the perfect career that comes to mind where you get to explore the very best food, restaurants, and luxury accommodations is the one we’ve been raving about: a career on hospitality and tourism.
5. You can use your skills anywhere in the world
The fact that you got a hospitality and tourism degree does not limit you in one career or the other, or one single place or the other. You can be an event planner for corporations in London, the same as in New York City. The skills you gained and used working in one place, you can use in another. This industry allows you the flexibility to move if you’re more into a nomad lifestyle.
6. Great perks
If good pay is not all you care about but rather pay attention to a job that offers nice perks, a hospitality career has you covered. If you become a manager in this field, you will get to receive compensation packages whenever you show good results. They will, of course, include the more common ones like flexible health and dental coverage, long-term disability and life insurance.
However, the perks that only hospitality management offers are free traveling (or discounted flights), hard-to-get hotel reservations, free food and drinks, special access to international hotspots, or even game tickets.
7. You could have a flexible schedule
If you’re still taking classes, you can often schedule your classes and work hours however it suits you best. This makes it possible to earn a full-time income with full-time hours in a short work week.
8. Opportunities for growth through networking
The benefit of travel worldwide for work, hospitality employees get to meet new people in every place, network, and make new contacts.
Fun fact: Gordon Ramsay himself started out by studying for a degree in Hotel Management but has since been scouted for his skill and charisma as a television personality.
9. It’s a happy industry
As a result of all the benefits we mentioned, hospitality is among the happiest industries to work in. Professional satisfaction is usually high given the opportunities to rise through the ranks quickly and obtain larger salaries over time. That might explain why this industry is chosen by an estimated 212 million employees worldwide.
10. You will learn soft skills
A successful hospitality manager is required to have skillful interpersonal interactions, and skills such as communication, leadership, adaptability and business etiquette come in handy for that. However, those and other soft skills such as teamwork, time management, commitment, and organization are valuable in any industry, not just this one.
To be successful as a manager, you need to have both soft skills alongside hard ones. And studying Hospitality Management, you’ll get a bonus soft skills training that you will surely use when you start working.
Are you convinced yet?
About the Author
Dafina Zymeri is passionate about ongoing, self-motivated and self-paced learning. She writes for Kiwi, which is a restaurant LMS that aims to help restaurant owners train their staff in an easier and more effective way. Moreover, they offer online training courses for different Restaurant services.