Hospitality Sector
Hotel Management
Nature of Work
India is fast emerging as one of the most enticing destinations for the global leisure traveller. The Readers Travel Awards 2006, conducted by Conde Nast Traveller has recently placed India at number four among the world´s must-see countries, up from number nine in 2003. India is also gradually gathering popularity as a health tourist destination. According to a recent study, healthcare tourism alone can rake over US$ 1.7 billion additional revenues by 2012.
The hospitality sector works 24/7, so if you are hoping for a 9 to 5 job or fixed working hours, then this may not be for you. A formal training in hotel management not only ensures an immediate job but also opens the door towards innumerable other avenues to develop one's career. The areas include airlines, cruise ships, casinos, health resorts, clubs, restaurants, bars & hotels, and many more.
There are broadly four core operational areas in a hotel: Food Production, Food and Beverage Services, Housekeeping, and Front Office. These areas more or less cover the job functions in a hotel. A hotel manager oversees a hotel's daily operations, right from recruiting staff to coordinating fresh-cut flowers for the lobby. Hoteliering overlaps the leisure and travel industries, as well as the food and catering business. Work in this line involves ensuring that all operations, including accommodation, food and drink, and other hotel services run smoothly. The General Manager is the coordinator and administrator, responsible for staff management, financial control, provision and quality of services, quality control, and customer care. The Lobby Manager is mainly concerned with guest relations. The Sales and Marketing department keeps in touch with travel agents and tour operators.
Where to Study
Institute |
Eligibility |
National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology administers admissions to the hotel management programmes at the government sponsored institutes of hotel management at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Gurdaspur, Guwahati, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Shimla, Srinagar, and Thiruvananthpuram. |
10+2 |
Indian Institute of Hotel Management (assisted by the Taj Group of Hotels)- |
10 + 2 |
Oberoi Centre for Learning and Development Oberoi School of Hotel Management, New Delhi |
10 + 2 |
Welcome Group Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Valley View, Manipal |
10 + 2 |
International Institute of Hotel Management, Kolkata |
10 + 2 |
Indian Institute of Science and Management, Ranchi |
10 + 2 |
Army Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Bangalore |
10 + 2 |
Prospects
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s 2006 Travel and Tourism Economic Research, the travel and tourism sector in India is expected to grow at a rate of 8.4% in 2006 and by 8% per annum, in real terms, between 2007 and 2016.
Apart from working in hotels, restaurants, cafés, resorts, guesthouses ,and casinos, you could also be employed in the tourism industry, conference centres, and large companies in various industries. At the same time, following are some more options:
i. Industrial canteens and corporate guesthouses
ii. Airlines, as cabin crew, and customer service executives at airports
iii. Flight kitchens
iv. Merchant navy and luxury ships, in their catering departments
v. Catering companies
vi. Railways
vii. Luxury cruise liners
viii. Research openings, particularly in the area of genetic engineering.
Study Route
In India, hotel management education is imparted under the following courses:
(i)4 yr Bachelors degree in Hotel Management (BHM);
(ii)3 yr Diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology (DHMCT)
Selection to these courses is through an entrance exam, followed by interview and group discussion.
The well-known hotel chains, such as the Oberois and the Welcome Group, have their own institutes and conduct diploma/degree level courses in hotel management. Eligibility for entry varies from one institute to the other. Selection is based on a written test, interview, and group discussion. Some of these institutes also provide good stipend during the training period.