hospitality and tourism career cluster salary

Top 10 Hospitality Careers: Job Descriptions and Salary Ranges

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Working in hospitality means cultivating unforgettable experiences for people all over the globe. In the U.S. alone, tourists spent $3 billion every day in 2018, according to the U.S. Travel Association. This included both business and leisure spending –– on travel and lodging, sightseeing, entertainment, and food and beverage. While certain holidays and vacation weeks tend to draw the biggest crowds, tourism remains a year-round industry. Many businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry operate all day, every day for the entirety of the year.

When the hospitality and tourism industries move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic, there will continue to be a demand for careers in the field. To pursue these opportunities with confidence, individuals would do well to equip themselves with a degree in tourism and hospitality management, like one of UCF Online’s hospitality degrees . Tourism and hospitality management degrees prepare students to enter a variety of hospitality careers. Graduates can advance their careers at exciting venues that include hotels, cruise ships, amusement parks, catering halls, casinos, restaurants, and more. Managing those businesses takes a special blend of skills, knowledge, and expertise, which individuals can develop with the right degree. What positions can graduates pursue? Read on to find out.

Jump Into an Exciting Career in Hospitality

There are many careers one can get into with a degree in hotel and tourism management. Here are 10 terrific options that could lead you to exciting careers throughout the country, and even abroad.

Hotel Manager Careers

Every hotel wants their guests to have a perfect stay. The hotel manager’s job is to make sure that happens and to fix any issues that arise when it doesn’t. Hotel managers need to be big-picture problem-solvers who can think quickly on their feet, keep a level head when dealing with difficult customers and situations, and motivate their employees to reach and maintain high standards. Hotel managers oversee the operations of facilities from smaller boutique inns through mega-destination resorts, with their job duties determined by the size of the hotel and staff.

Not only do hotel managers train and oversee staff, but they are often responsible for booking large groups and events, ensuring that catering operations run smoothly, and stay on top of maintenance and cleaning. In larger hotels and resorts, different managers might split these duties, each overseeing a specific department.

Restaurant Manager Careers

While chefs might receive much of the attention for the work they do in the kitchen, restaurant managers ensure that those chefs have supplies, support, and guests to serve. Restaurant managers are usually responsible for training and staffing the restaurant, creating budgets and marketing, ordering new equipment, and handling large parties or reservations. In some restaurants, they may even be in charge of menu changes and food ordering. Restaurant managers often work long hours, communicate clearly with patrons, co-workers, and suppliers, and use their eye for detail to meet the specific demands of a fast-paced industry.

Events Manager Careers

The best events managers are so good at their jobs, nobody knows they are there. Their job is to plan and facilitate large events, ensuring that the attendees enjoy the event as much as possible. Events include concerts, conventions, weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, parades, and charity balls. Event managers might be self-employed entrepreneurs, work for hotels and resorts, or within municipalities and local governments. Planning events on such a scale can require a team of planning specialists, all under the direction of the events manager. They meet with clients to create a vision for the event, then work with vendors, venues, catering staff, entertainers, and others to make the event come to life. This intricate job includes obtaining permits for use of public space, working with caterers to feed hundreds or thousands of people, arrange entertainment, facilitate staffing, sales, and marketing. If all goes to plan, the event runs smoothly, and the manager can enjoy the satisfaction of their clients having an unforgettable time.

Casino Manager Careers

Casino work presents a fun and interesting challenge in the world of hospitality careers. Casinos can be loud, energetic?, and full of activity, with tables and slot machines running around the clock. They are often connected to hotels and resorts which include multiple restaurants, retail outlets, and entertainment venues. Casino managers are responsible for the operations of the casino itself, including the games and employees that work the floor. It’s their job to have a thorough knowledge of customer demand for different gaming options, adjusting constantly to maximize both consumer enjoyment as well as profits. They are also responsible for hiring and training employees, including dealers, waitstaff, shift supervisors, and pit bosses. In a business with so much money changing hands, casino managers need to be especially vigilant of all moving parts.

Cruise Director Careers

This is a career where you’ll definitely need your sea legs. Cruise directors serve on cruise ships, where it’s their job to oversee the entertainment operations onboard. Modern cruise ships can serve upwards of four or five thousand people in a single trip, many of whom will spend a lot of time onboard, enjoying all that the ship offers by way of food and entertainment. Cruises often feature musicians and stage acts, and have established casinos, sports facilities, arcades, pools, lounges, restaurants, and bars. When cruises stop at ports of call, customers often go on excursions, exploring the local attractions. Cruise directors must have detailed knowledge of each port, making sure they can point clients towards fun and safe onshore activities. These hospitality professionals set the schedule of activities, evaluate their success, and make changes to the cruise’s entertainment choices to maximize enjoyment while staying on budget.

Executive Chef Careers

Chefs and cooks who want to advance in their careers can pursue a hospitality degree to earn an executive chef position. Executive chefs, in short, run the kitchen. While chefs are responsible solely for cooking high-quality food, executive chefs also manage all kitchen staff. Their duties include making hiring and firing decisions, staying on top of food ordering and costs, setting menu prices, making changes to the menu, and determining daily specials. Executive chefs must have years of culinary training and on-the-job experience, and typically also have a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts or hospitality. Education is especially important for chefs who want to work at a high-end or Michelin-starred restaurant, where they put their learned skills in management and operations to work. UCF Online’s Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management can help chefs develop the leadership skills necessary for this position. Working as an executive chef means working long hours, including nights and weekends, in a fast-paced environment. For those who thrive in such an environment, the job can also be quite financially and emotionally rewarding.

Food and Beverage Director Careers

Large restaurants, or hotels and resorts with restaurants, offer many careers in hospitality, like food and beverage directors. Professionals in this position collaborate with restaurant managers and executive chefs. Food and beverage directors order ingredients and supplies, and monitor costs and expenditures. They work with chefs to create menus, ensuring the restaurant can keep a creative focus while also staying realistic about budget, costs, and menu prices. They also oversee food preparation and storage, ensuring that their restaurant is compliant with health and safety codes. At some establishments, food and beverage directors also work with bartenders and liquor distributors to create and showcase on-trend drinks, helping to maximize profits while keeping patrons excited about their options.

Director of Catering Careers

Catering exists at the intersection of cooking and event planning. Directors of Catering must plan to feed large groups of people simultaneously, overseeing a staff that’s capable of producing hundreds — if not thousands — of meals during a single event. Catering directors must have an in-depth understanding of food costs and be able to estimate food consumption based on factors like the size of the group and the duration of the event. They have an understanding of bulk purchasing, preparation times, storage availability, food costs, and cook times. By accounting for these many factors, they help to eliminate waste and maximize profits.

Attractions Manager Careers

All over the globe, tourist attractions draw crowds. People gather at amusement parks, landmarks, historical sites, and monuments to learn, celebrate, or simply take in the sight. Attractions managers run operations that enhance visitors’ experiences. At a national park, for example, the attractions manager might oversee staffing and park ranger training, control crowd size and flow, and oversee safety operations. At a historical site, they are often responsible for overseeing educators, managing budgets, interacting with the media, and working with local businesses to promote events. Attractions managers are energetic multi-taskers who thrive on creating great visitor experiences while tending to the needs and considerations of their staff.

Social Media Strategist Careers

Social media strategists are pivotal in every industry in today’s hyper-connected world. Roles like this one are increasingly important in travel and hospitality, as more and more people research and book their accommodations online. Social media strategists promote their clients (whether a resort, a tour company, a hotel, or other business) online, connecting them with viable customers and determining the best ways to appeal to them through social channels. In order to build a social media following, these digitally savvy hospitality experts might create promotions and develop online-exclusive deals. In the modern world, the right social media strategy helps businesses thrive, and the social media strategist is a key part of that. Earning the right skills in digital marketing and development through a certificate like UCF Online’s Hospitality and Tourism Technologies Certificate program offers aspiring social media strategists in the hospitality industry a deep understanding of digital marketing.

Average Pay for Hospitality Careers

Almost all hospitality careers pay a median salary of around $50,000, though some can bring in as much as $100,000 per year. How much you earn may vary depending on the job itself, your level of experience, and even your geographic region.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports on the median annual salary of a few specific careers within the hospitality industry, as of May 2018. Based on these reports, chefs earn approximately $48,460 annually, food service managers earn $54,240, lodging managers earn $53,390, and meeting and event planners earn about $49,370. PayScale.com reports that the average annual salary for casino managers is $102,494, the highest number in the group. PayScale also maintains annual salary data for food and beverage directors ($67,216), catering directors ($59,685), cruise directors ($57,676), social media strategists ($51,869), and attractions managers ($42,979).

Get Started With an Online Hospitality Degree from UCF

All of these careers can put you in a fast-paced, rewarding position that allows you to make people’s lives more enjoyable while putting to use your communication, collaborative, and organizational skills. One of UCF Online’s hospitality degrees , such as our new online Bachelor of Science in Restaurant & Foodservice Management , Bachelor of Science in Senior Living Management , or Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management , can open up possibilities in the field, and help you land the job you want.

Online Hospitality Degrees at UCF

• Destination Marketing and Management
• Event Leadership, MS
• Event Management
• Event Management, BS
• Financial Management for the Hospitality and Tourism Industry
• Hospitality and Tourism Management, MS
• Hospitality and Tourism Technologies
• Hospitality Management, BS
• Leadership and Strategy in Hospitality and Tourism
• Lifestyle Community Management, BS
• Lodging and Restaurant Management, BS
• Travel Technology and Analytics, MS

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Career Clusters contain occupations in the same field of work that require similar skills. Students, parents, and educators can use Career Clusters to help focus education plans towards obtaining the necessary knowledge, competencies, and training for success in a particular career pathway.

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Source: National Career Clusters® Framework external site implemented by Department of Defense ASVAB Career Exploration Program (updated 2016).

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Hospitality and tourism career cluster, hospitality and tourism career cluster overview.

The hospitality and tourism industry provides accommodations, meals, and personal services for both the traveling public and permanent residents. The range of employment opportunities in the industry is vast. All positions, from bellhops to executive chefs to amusement park workers, share the same goal: serving the public.

The food and beverage industry makes up one of the largest and most lucrative sectors of hospitality and tourism. The businesses that supply food to customers, such as restaurants, coffee shops, fast food chains, food outlets in hotels, catering firms, and a host of other establishments, have specific methods of preparing and serving food. Modern operating methods are becoming essential in today’s food service industry. The most successful restaurant companies have devised systems to maximize labor and cut costs. But despite increased automation, the need remains for personal service to customers and skill and imagination in the kitchen.

 Hospitality and Tourism Career Pathways

The hospitality and tourism cluster is composed of four career pathways: lodging; recreation, amusements, and attractions; restaurant and food/beverage services; and travel and tourism.

Lodging Career Path

Lodging workers are involved in the management and maintenance of hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, or any other business that provides lodging services to guests. Some lodging workers, such as bed and breakfast owners, might do everything from book reservations to prepare meals for guests, while a desk clerk for a large hotel chain might only check guests in and out. All workers in this area share the common goal of making guests’ experience as enjoyable as possible. Examples of jobs in this area include baggage porters and bellhops, hotel concierges, hotel and motel managers, and janitors and cleaners.

Recreation , Amusements, and Attractions Career Path

Workers in this area are employed by the many places people go for entertainment and amusement, such as theme parks, casinos, resort spas, zoos, and historical sites. The work in this field is generally lively and involves close interaction with the public. Recreation workers can operate rides or vehicles, organize events and entertainment for guests, lead organized tours, or help new members of a private club become familiar with its facilities. Good people skills are an absolute must in this area. Examples of jobs include cruise directors, gaming workers, recreation center directors, and ski resort workers.

Restaurant and Food/Beverage Services Career Path

Employment in food service can mean working for as little as one or two clients, as in the case of personal chefs, or planning a menu for a restaurant that serves hundreds of customers on a weekly basis. Regardless of whether they work in a restaurant, bar, cruise ship, or bakery, food service workers must pay close attention to details and be able to think quickly on their feet, as these work environments are among some of the busiest. Examples of jobs in this area include bartenders, caterers, cooks and chefs, and waiters.

Travel and Tourism Career Path

People who work in this pathway promote tourism, help people plan vacations, or plan and organize events that help people make the most of their travel experience. Examples of jobs include cultural advisers, travel agents, event planners, and tour guides.

Browse all  Career Pathways .

Exploring Hospitality and Tourism Careers

Above all, hospitality and tourism are service industries. The success or failure of businesses in this area largely depends on how the employees treat guests and customers. One of the best ways to get a feel for a career in hospitality and tourism is to observe the workers you see when you dine out, stay at a hotel, or visit any type of tourist attraction. Note what kinds of responsibilities these workers have and how they combine the duties of their job with an ability to make guests and customers feel relaxed and welcome. Think about your experiences in restaurants and hotels and try to figure out what may have made one experience better than another. Is there a restaurant that you and your family return to more than any other? Chances are, the quality of the service you receive is high on the list.

It’s also helpful to read travel guides or visit Web sites such as http://www.tripadvisor.com or http://chowhound.chow.com/boards where people write their own reviews of hotels and restaurants, respectively. This can help you decide what aspect of the industry you might want to work in and what people are looking for when they dine and travel.

The hospitality and tourism cluster offers many job opportunities for high school and college students. Amusement parks, for example, often hire students for the busy summer months. The food service industry also hires students as cashiers, hosts, waiters, and line cooks. These types of jobs are a good way to gain experience in the field. More advanced positions may require a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management, business administration, or a diploma from a culinary school. Having a combination of practical experience and formal education is the key to advancing in this field.

Hospitality and Tourism Careers Outlook

The travel and tourism industry has experienced some ups and downs in the past several years. While the long-term prospects for growth in the hotel industry are good, it should be remembered that the industry is tied directly to the amount of money people can spend on leisure and business activities. Therefore, any downturn in the economy usually has a negative impact on industry growth. Employment for workers in the hospitality industry varies by specialty. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts faster than average growth for hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks and gaming workers and slower than average growth for bookkeeping, accounting , and auditing clerks; secretaries; waiters and waitresses; and lodging managers.

The restaurant industry in general is expected to grow about as fast as the average through 2016. There should be plenty of jobs available for chefs, cooks, and other kitchen workers. Fast food restaurants have been suffering from high turnover and labor shortages, and it is expected that recruiting and retaining employees will be a major challenge in the next few years. Changes in the economy will also have an effect on eating and drinking establishments. When consumers are forced to cut spending, one of the first expenditures they cut is dining out. Anyone involved in the restaurant industry must also consider the strong competition for business and for qualified employees. Restaurants open and close at a rapid pace, and turnover will continue to be high.

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Careers in Hospitality & Tourism

Would you like to get a job in this career cluster? Learn about the cluster and explore a listing of its careers.

Management, marketing and operations of restaurants and other food services, lodging, attractions, recreation events and travel related services.

• Recreation, Amusements & Attractions
• Restaurants and Food/Beverage Services
• Travel & Tourism

• Amusement & Recreation Attendants
• Cooks, Fast Food
• Cooks, Institution & Cafeteria
• Cooks, Private Household
• Cooks, Short Order
• Dining Room & Cafeteria Attendants & Bartender Helpers
• Dishwashers
• First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers
• First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping & Janitorial Workers
• Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
• Food Service Managers
• Gambling & Sports Book Writers & Runners
• Gambling Cage Workers
• Gambling Change Persons & Booth Cashiers
• Gambling Dealers
• Gambling Managers
• Hotel, Motel, & Resort Desk Clerks
• Motion Picture Projectionists
• Reservation & Transportation Ticket Agents & Travel Clerks
• Travel Agents
• Ushers, Lobby Attendants, & Ticket Takers

Source: National Career Clusters® Framework external site implemented by Department of Defense ASVAB Career Exploration Program (updated 2016). Video produced by CareerOneStop external site .

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The hospitality and tourism industry provides the experiences that we look forward to for dining, recreation, major life events, or just to get away for a little while. Most of us interact with hospitality workers every day, whether grabbing a cup of coffee, dining out, or catching the latest blockbuster film.

The hospitality and tourism industry includes a wide range of facets, including lodging, restaurants, event planning, theme parks, transportation services, cruises, travel guides, casinos, movie theaters, and tourism. The industry plays a particularly big role for travelers, as hospitality and tourism workers help plan trips and make travel reservations, operate hotels and amusement parks, and guide tour groups.

Quick facts to know:

• This sector employs over 16 million people and is expected to continue growing.
• There are over 50,000 hotels and motels in the United States.
• Travelers in the United States logged more than 2.25 billion trips in 2018.
• Approximately 80 million visitors from overseas traveled to the U.S. in 2018 to shop, sightsee, dine out, visit national parks and monuments, and enjoy amusement parks.

The hospitality and tourism industry has many entry-level opportunities that can build toward higher level positions. For example, an entry level worker may start restaurant work as a dishwasher or table busser and eventually move into cooking, waiting tables, or even management. The hospitality and tourism industry is expected to add more than 1.5 million jobs over the next ten years; interested candidates have a strong likelihood of finding a position.

Bright Outlook

It's a bright outlook for !

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years, will have large numbers of openings , and is a new and emerging career.

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years and will have large numbers of openings .

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years and is a new and emerging career.

This career will have large numbers of openings and is a new and emerging career.

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

This career will have large numbers of openings .

This career is a new and emerging career.

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• Hospitality & Tourism Career Cluster

• Career & Technical Education

The Hospitality & Tourism Career Cluster focuses on the management, marketing, and operations of restaurants and other food/beverage services, lodging, attractions, recreation events and travel-related services.

Students learn knowledge and skills focusing on communication, time management, and customer service that meet industry standards. Students will explore the history of the hospitality and tourism industry and examine characteristics needed for success in that industry.       

Salary and job descriptions for select careers in this cluster:

Chefs and Head Cooks Dietitians and Nutritionists

Certifications offered:

• Heartsaver CPR/AED First Aid
• Food Allergens Essentials Certification
• Hospitality Certificate (AHLA)
• OSHA-10 hr. Certification (General)
• ServSafe Manager Certification
• Start Safe.Stay Safe Workplace Training Certificate
• Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Certification
• Texas Food Handlers License

Campuses with Programs in Hospitality & Tourism

High school.

• Austin High School
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• Clifton Career Development School
• Travis ECHS

CTE Programs of Study/Offered Courses

• Culinary Arts
• Introduction to Culinary Arts
• Principles of Hospitality and Tourism
• Advanced Culinary Arts
• Practicum in Culinary Arts

Lodging and Resort Management

• Travel and Tourism Management
• Hospitality Services
• Practicum in Hospitality Services

Hospitality and Tourism Salary

How much does a Hospitality and Tourism earn in the United States?

What is the average hospitality and tourism salary by city, what similar jobs are paid to hospitality and tourism in the u.s..

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Hospitality and Tourism Salaries by State

• Tourism Coordinator
• Director Of Tourism
• Tourism Manager
• Travel And Tourism
• Tourism Management
• Tourism Officer
• Tourism Marketing Manager
• Account Executive, Travel and Tourism
• Hospitality Coordinator
• Director of Hospitality
• Hospitality Assistant
• San Francisco, CA
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• Chicago, IL
• New York, NY
• District of Columbia
• Massachusetts
• Connecticut
• Rhode Island
• New Hampshire
• Pennsylvania
• North Dakota
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• West Virginia
• South Dakota
• Mississippi

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• Restaurants & Food/Beverage Services Pathway - People who perform a variety of tasks to maintain operations and promote guest services in eating and drinking establishments.
• Lodging Pathway - People who perform tasks involving the operation of lodging facilities and the care of guests who use these facilities, either through direct guest contact or the provision of background services that enhance the guest experience.
• Travel & Tourism Pathway - People who focus on the development research packaging promotion and delivery of a traveler's experiences. There is a broad range of jobs in this pathway. Employees may be involved in developing a heritage area for the enjoyment and education of visitors, creating guidebooks, planning trips and events, managing a customer’s travel plans or overseeing a huge urban convention center.
• Recreation, Amusements & Attractions Pathway - People who are looking for exciting and diverse work situations are best suited for the Recreation, Amusements and Attractions pathway. The work is often demanding but never boring. Good customer service skills are essential for success. Employees must also understand what makes each operation unique. Technical skills are location-specific, and training is handled on the job.

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List of careers in hospitality and tourism: opportunities for learning and travel

HOSPITALITY UNCOVERED

In this article

World-class hospitality qualifications

Our bachelor’s degree in hospitality will give you the platform to launch a career in hotel management that can take you anywhere.

The hospitality and tourism industry is booming thanks to accessible international travel and consumers’ enthusiasm for discovering new places.

Continuing growth in the industry means there is an enticing range of  career paths in hospitality  and tourism you can consider when deciding on your future, such as event manager, luxury manager, marketing manager, and more.

If you’re curious about what type of role might be best for you, there are plenty of options that combine exciting opportunities for personal development and working around the world.

In this article, we’ll go over the different hospitality and tourism career pathways you could aim towards.

We’ll also discuss what the different roles entail and how you can gain the skills and knowledge to succeed in hospitality and tourism.

Why pursue a career in the industry?

With tourism and hospitality booming after Covid, there are more reasons than ever before to consider a career path in this rewarding sector.

Hospitality venues are keen to employ skilled and qualified individuals who can help their businesses thrive.

The industry itself can be an exciting and endlessly interesting area to work in. In this field, you’ll get to work with people from all over the world.

You’ll also be able to work in a range of appealing locations, since hospitality is truly a global industry. It’s also a great option for people who like to challenge themselves to continuously improve.

Hotel operations

Hotel operations roles include everything that makes a hotel run smoothly. These include:

• Front desk and guest services
• Housekeeping and maintenance
• Food and beverage services

For each of these, there will be management roles responsible for overseeing staff in their specific department. For example, a  front of house manager  supervises staff at the front desk. Generally,  hotel management  careers are all about organizing staff, monitoring projects, solving problems and making sure consumers are happy.

What are the different departments in a hotel?

There are a range of different departments in a hotel, including:

• Front of house
• Back of house and housekeeping
• Maintenance
• Event management
• Guest experience

Hotels also need general managers who handle the overall operations of all these departments.

What skills are required to work in hotel operations?

To work in hotel operations, you should work on building skills such as:

• Time management
• Team leadership
• Organization
• Analytical skills
• Communication

These useful transferable skills will set you up well for a hospitality and tourism career and in other areas too.

How can I start a career in hotel management?

There are two main routes to working in hotel management. You can either start working your way up from entry-level roles via other  careers in the hotel industry  or you can study for a  hospitality degree .

Travel and tourism 

There are also a wide range of travel and tourism industry jobs, such as:

• Travel agency management
• Tour guide positions
• Event planning and coordination
• Transportation and logistics in the tourism industry
• Adventure and eco-tourism careers

These will have many of the same requirements as hotel roles. However, they can lead to working in varied environments, especially if you work in  luxury management , which focuses on high-end services.

Restaurant and culinary services

Hospitality careers also include food and beverage services work, which includes:

• Restaurant management positions
• Culinary arts and chef careers
• Front-of-house and back-of-house staff for restaurants
• Sommeliers and beverage professionals
• Catering and  event management

What skills are required to work in restaurant management?

As well as the management skills you’d need for any of these hospitality careers, you’ll also be expected to have culinary experience for a role in restaurant management. You could gain this either through specialized study or by working in a professional kitchen environment, a bar or with a catering company.

What is the role of a sommelier?

A sommelier is a wine expert. They are usually responsible for choosing and updating a venue’s wine list. They’ll also work with chefs to make sure dishes have suitable wine pairings and they can often give advice to customers on wines that enhance their menu selections.

Hospitality marketing and sales

Another career option in hospitality is to work in marketing and sales. This can mean being responsible for:

• Sales and revenue management
• Digital marketing strategies for hotels and travel companies
• Branding and public relations
• Customer service and guest relations

How can I pursue a career in hospitality marketing?

For one of these hospitality careers, you will need a good knowledge of both the hospitality field and marketing. You can learn the skills you need from a college or  hospitality school in Switzerland  to give you the best chances of success.

What skills are essential for a sales manager in the hospitality industry?

Vital skills for a marketing or sales job in hospitality and tourism, such as marketing manager, include:

• Project management
• Data analysis

Transitioning into a career in hospitality and tourism

If you are looking to start your career in the hospitality and tourism professions, the important steps are:

• Education and training to get you the skills and qualifications needed for hospitality employment prospects
• Learning transferable skills, such as those listed in this article, to help you in whatever hospitality career you move into
• Networking and making industry connections to help you find job opportunities in tourism and hospitality
• Doing a  hospitality internship  or apprenticeship to give you real-world experience

What qualifications do I need to pursue a career in hospitality and tourism?

The best qualifications for hospitality careers are specialist hospitality certificates.

Whether you’re thinking about a bachelor’s degree, a diploma or an advanced qualification, these courses will give you the experience and skills necessary to compete for the most sought-after careers in the industry.

If you are looking at a career as a restaurant manager, you should also look for some culinary qualifications.

If you’re looking at degree options, you should aim to choose a course that includes internships. These will provide vital on-the-job training, as well as giving you a chance to network with professionals who are already established.

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What are the job prospects and growth potential in the industry.

The hospitality and tourism industries have huge potential for growth due to the demand for quality travel experiences from a global customer base.

This means there are many opportunities for career advancement, especially in luxury management and other high-end hospitality sectors.

Once established in hospitality and tourism, there are also plenty of options to either specialize in area-specific management roles or to aim for general management or executive management roles.

All of these jobs in hospitality will have their own challenges and benefits.

What skills are important for success in hospitality and tourism?

There are many skills you can develop to improve your prospects in the  hospitality business . Some of those you should work on consolidating include:

• Communication, both written and verbal
• Organizational skills
• Time management skills
• Team leadership skills
• Analytical and data handling skills
• Problem solving

All of these are transferable or soft skills, which you can use in any job role. You’ll also need to learn specific skills relating to the role you want.

For example, if you want to work in restaurant management, you should aim to build culinary skills alongside those listed above.

If you want to work in sales management, you should aim to develop skills in finance and marketing.

Hospitality and tourism careers: conclusion

Working in hospitality and tourism can be a great career for people who want to challenge themselves, travel, be constantly learning and work in a truly global enterprise.

The sector is experiencing healthy growth and consumer enthusiasm for travel and new experiences is not likely to diminish. You can expect rewarding career prospects with the possibility of advancement.

There are roles to suit all talents, including front of house, food and beverage management, hotel manager, general manager and lots more.

If you want to embrace any of the roles on our hospitality job list, the most efficient route is to get a world-recognized hospitality degree that ensures you gain the skills and knowledge to succeed.

If you want to pursue any of these  hospitality careers , from hotel general manager to  becoming an event planner , getting a quality education can be the first and most essential step.

Photo credits Main image:  Thomas Barwick/DigitalVision via Getty Images

Setting the standard in hospitality degrees

Our world-leading hospitality master’s degree is an intensive mix of developing skills and making priceless connections that mean access to roles at the highest levels of the hospitality industry.

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5 Majors to Consider for a Career in Hospitality and Tourism

What should you study if you are interested in a career in hospitality and tourism.

Hospitality and Tourism careers include jobs in food or services for people to enjoy leisure activities or vacations.  

If you are interested in a career in Hospitality and Tourism here is a list of 5 majors you might consider when thinking about your degree options. 

• Hotel and Motel Management  Students in this major learn how to manage hotels, motels, and other lodging businesses such as resorts. Course work covers hospitality law, employee management, financial management, and more.
• Meeting and Event Planning Students learn to plan, budget, and implement conferences, meetings, and other special events in the public or private sectors.
• Tourism and Travel Management Tourism and travel majors learn to manage tourism- and travel-related businesses. Course work includes such topics as travel-agency management, tour planning, convention and event planning, and travel industry law.
• Hospitality Administration and Management Hospitality majors learn to run hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and other businesses that serve business travelers and vacationers.
• Business Administration and Management Business administration majors learn the mechanics of business through classes in fundamentals such as finance, accounting and marketing and delve into more specialized topics. Students find ways to solve problems using data, and they develop communication and managerial skills.

When you think about careers in the Hospitality and Tourism career cluster, these are just a few examples of potential majors to get you started. Explore more majors or search for colleges on BigFuture that offer these or similar majors to start building your college list!

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Meet Boston is hosting its third annual regional career fair to boost the city's booming hospitality industry. Hilina Ajakaiye, Executive Vice President of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau and Conan Harris of Conan Harris and Associates encourage Bostonians to come out and explore jobs and careers in tourism. The fair will be on April 30 and is for job seekers of all levels and experience learn more and register to attend .

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