There are a variety of paths to becoming a hotel manager, but the majority of them require a combination of education and experience. Smaller hotels may be okay with managers who have an associate’s degree in hotel management or hospitality, but larger hotels will usually require at least a bachelor’s degree, if not a master’s, in hotel management or an MBA. Even with these educational credentials, becoming a hotel manager typically requires years of experience in the hospitality industry. This is because hotel managers must be familiar with all aspects of hotel management, from reservations to housekeeping to staff management.
Many people who decide to pursue a career as a hotel manager early on will begin working in the industry while still in college or even high school. Beginning in entry-level positions such as reservations, front desk, or housekeeping will allow you to gain experience with the various aspects of working in a hotel and interacting with guests. If you are good at your job, it will also open up opportunities for advancement; for example, while you are finishing your education, you may be able to be promoted into supervisory or management roles at the same time, much sooner than you would have been able to advance otherwise.
Higher education is frequently required to advance to the position of hotel manager. Even if you have years of experience, some larger hotels, especially those owned by corporations, will be hesitant or unwilling to promote you to a managerial position unless you have a college diploma. Although an associate’s degree or certificate program in hotel management may be sufficient, most inns and resorts require a bachelor’s degree, if not a master’s degree. This is because these positions require not only knowledge of hotel processes, but also knowledge of important aspects of business, such as managing operations, hiring and firing staff, and comprehending human resources and benefits, to name a few.
A hotel manager may also be responsible for branding and marketing the hotel, making improvements, and planning larger events such as weddings or parties, in addition to these duties. Another important aspect of management is resolving guest issues, as well as maintaining long-term relationships with vendors or other businesses. As a result, anyone interested in becoming a hotel manager must enjoy working with people and be able to multi-task and manage a large number of responsibilities in order to be successful.