Is Hospitality The Right Career For You?

The world has become a small place today. Travel and tourism is on the rise. So is the hospitality industry, along with it. The hospitality sector stands at an estimated USD 23 billion. It is expected to grow to USD 36 billion by 2018.

Hospitality is a burgeoning industry in India. A report by HVS (Hospitality Valuation Services) reveals that our country is witnessing an unprecedented growth in hotel constructions.

In the last decade this industry has added approximately 17 percent in wage and salary employment. The hospitality sector offers countless work openings. But, is it actually the right career for you?

A hospitality degree may land you career opportunities in hotels or any other related field. Resorts, restaurants and food chains provide a wide range of work for such personnel.

With this degree Airlines may also offer you jobs in airport lobby, reservations department or even inflight jobs like Air hostess and Steward.

The Cruise industry too has many openings. Cruise shipping has a global growth of around 12-15% annually. The Indian cruise market is expected to grow at over 10% annually.

Event management companies, amusement parks and country clubs will also open their doors to you if hospitality management is your forte.

Do these opportunities excite you? Would you enjoy working in any of these places? If yes, then hospitality industry is indeed the direction you should take.

However, before taking the final step, it is imperative to understand what kind of a person would be a huge success in the industry.

The world of hospitality is extremely customer centric and interpersonal skills are very important. Thus, there are certain personality traits which you must possess or cultivate in order to thrive in this industry. These qualities might be considered as essential as a hospitality degree to procure a good job in the sector as also for a laudable performance.

• Extrovert and Friendly

If you have an extrovert and friendly personality, hospitality industry might just be the place for you. Excellent communication skills form the very basis of success here. A reserved and introvert person will never be able to establish a friendly bond with the large number of constantly arriving new guests.

• Polite and Courteous

Politeness and courtesy is the key. You cannot afford to be grumpy and rude in the hospitality industry. The job is to make the guests feel at home. The visiting guests would consider revisiting only if they have a warm and welcoming experience to savour.

• Well groomed and Charming

You need to be well- groomed and impeccably dressed. A well-kept appearance is necessary to make your place in the hospitality industry. The ability to charm people easily is sure to bring accolades for you here.

• Ingenious with Quick Problem Solving Ability

Problematic situations that arise in a hotel require swift solution. You must be resourceful and ingenious enough to get the problem resolved at the earliest and at the same time keep the guests diverted.

• Organized and Versatile

In the hospitality industry you have to perform a multitude of chores. These may range from housekeeping to various enquires regarding accounts or tourist places. You will also have to work in the kitchen or serve the guests as a waiter. There is no place for ego here. An organized approach with versatility and the ability to multi- task are required.

• Resilient and Mentally Tough

Hospitality industry requires long and irregular work hours. There is continual pressure of meeting deadlines. You might have to work at night or on weekends depending on your shift. Sometimes a guest can be unpleasant and demanding. You must be mentally tough and have the resilience not to feel dejected or put down. You have to maintain your composure and handle such situations graciously without getting perturbed or angry.

While working in this industry, you can make many contacts and garner a lot of knowledge about the world. You will also get to experience glamour, opulence and luxury. Initial salaries might not be very high but as you go up the ladder, there is no dearth of money and even fame.

A person full of enthusiasm, for meeting new people, taking care of them and experiencing new things each day would love to be a part of the hospitality world. The industry needs team workers who can at the same time be capable leaders.

If you fit the bill, then hospitality is indeed the right career choice for you.

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