A hospitality manager provides services to the public by supervising and overseeing other hospitality employees. Different types of accommodations, such as hotels, recreational camping facilities, and cruise lines, are typical job locations in the hospitality field. Some hospitality managers work in the background, while others interact with customers on a regular basis. A manager’s first priority is usually to provide the best possible customer service. He or she may be in charge of a whole property or a part of a larger organization, depending on the size of the company.
The types of hospitality manager jobs available can be quite diverse. Daily responsibilities and workloads can vary greatly from one person to the next, depending on factors such as business hours and the number of assistants available. In addition to lodging experience, most hospitality managers must have a diverse set of business skills, ranging from computer operation to human resource management.
The hospitality manager’s responsibilities in resorts and hotels, for example, usually include supervising other employees such as front desk personnel, concierges, food service workers, and housekeeping and maintenance personnel. His or her job description is largely determined by the size of the hotel and the number of other employees. Job responsibilities are similar for those who work on large cruise ships. Lodging managers are another term for hospitality managers. Overseeing hostels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, or other privately owned facilities that accommodate guests for one or more nights is a common example of their responsibilities.
A minimum amount of business sense or relevant experience is usually required to be a successful hospitality manager. He or she should be skilled in sales or marketing, as well as basic accounting and budgeting. People skills and a willingness to travel are two useful personality traits. Because a hospitality manager’s schedule is likely to change, he or she must be adaptable and willing to work long hours, especially during the holidays.
In order to become a hospitality manager, one can pursue a variety of professional training options. Many people begin their careers in lower-level positions and work their way up to become managers. Others enroll in academic institutions’ management training programs. Hotel and restaurant management, marketing, and general business classes are all common hospitality courses. A two- or four-year degree program frequently includes the course curriculum. For those who prefer to learn in a traditional classroom setting or online, a variety of training options are available.