4 Things You Didn't Know About Working in Hospitality Management

Are you considering a future as a hospitality manager? Before you begin your studies or commit to an entry-level hospitality job, you should know what to expect. Here are five things you need to know about the life of a modern hospitality manager.

1. Staff members take up almost as much time as guests.

Hospitality managers spend a lot of time making sure their guests are happy, but as the name implies, they spend almost as much time managing their own employees. Staff productivity and morale are integral to ensuring good customer service, so it makes sense that managers are also responsible for overseeing, training, and guiding the people who work below them. On cruise ships and in sprawling resorts, this job is trickier, because there are so many different personnel departments.

2. Not all hospitality managers work in hotels.

Some hospitality managers can also be called lodging managers, because they manage overnight accommodation facilities. That doesn't always mean they work in hotels, though. According to the Delta Check Hotel Database, almost half of the world's overnight accommodation options are now non-hotel lodging options. Some alternatives that also employ hospitality managers include recreational vehicle (RV) parks, campgrounds, bed-and-breakfasts, cruise ships, and alpine cabin retreats.

In fact, even overnight guests aren't a guarantee. Hospitality managers learn business, leadership, customer service, and communication strategies that apply just as well in the world of dining and entertainment. After completing a hospitality management program, graduates may seek positions with a variety of different employers, including: casual and quick service restaurants, catering companies, convention centers, sports arenas and stadiums, academic and corporate campus cafeterias, hospital food services, and even schools.

3. Review websites are transforming management strategies.

Online reviews are a form of free advertising that didn't even exist until recently. As guests share photos and details about their stays, other Internet users may adjust their travel arrangements accordingly. However, reviews are also an effective way for hospitality managers to gauge customer satisfaction, demand, and loyalty. As a modern-day manager, you can use these websites to figure out what you're doing right and correct problems as soon as they happen.

4. Online reservations have created additional job responsibilities.

Booking websites are another technology trend that shows no signs of disappearing. Because today's guests are used to the convenience of online reservations, many properties and companies now offer direct bookings on their own websites. As a hospitality manager, you'll be responsible for using these bookings to anticipate the volume and needs of upcoming guests.

You may also have to handle any discrepancies that occur because of software glitches or miscommunications. In order to prevent these problems and accommodate each guest to his or her satisfaction, you can put your education to good use. Follow up after every online booking, and again after every stay.

If you are looking for a way to start a life in hospitality management or event planning, ECPI University's Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in Hospitality Management, is a great place to start. For more information, visit our website today! It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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