All About Hospitality Management
Hospitality management is often seen as a fun industry to work in. Those that join the industry normally work in resorts, cruise ships, restaurants, casinos, and other related businesses. However, if you are interested in a career in hospitality management, don’t be fooled by the glitz and glamour. Good management is required to ensure that such establishments offer the best service and a wonderful experience to guests.
As a Hospitality Manager, you will be in charge of overseeing the administrative tasks of establishments such as resorts or restaurants. You will be required to come up with operational strategies that are in accordance with business targets and health and safety regulations. Responsibilities will include maintaining the upkeep of facilities, managing staff, dealing with budgeting and finances as well as ensuring that your guests enjoy their time at your establishment.
- In 2018, the annual median income for those working in hospitality management ranged from 106,336 to 138,394 USD.
- A High school diploma or a similar qualification is required to apply for a career in hospitality management.
- From 2014 to 2024, the hospitality management industry is projected to grow by 8%
Handling Budgets
Hospitality Managers need to ensure seamless integration and operation of the various departments within your establishment. This includes managing the company’s expenditure and assigning budgets for each department. You will need to ensure that the money allocated to each department is sufficient and contributes towards bettering business performance. Overseeing the company’s expenditure and marketing are some of the key things that hospitality managers are responsible for.
Overseeing Expenditures
All companies have operational costs. In hospitality establishments, various departments require funding to operate. However, funding isn’t infinite and it is up to the Hospitality Manager to ensure that the company’s resources are allocated properly.
Monitoring the expenditure of each department is essential to determine if the money allocated is being used effectively. Hence, as a Hospitality Manager, you will need to keep track of all operational costs and make changes to budget allocation if need be.
Marketing and Advertising
For people to know about your establishment, you need to market your business. A good marketing strategy is crucial for hospitality businesses to attract customers, maintain their loyalty, and establish a solid brand image.
It is up to the Hospitality Manager to ensure that sufficient funds are provided for marketing efforts to build brand awareness. Marketing efforts typically include digital or print advertisements, roadshows, community engagement, and even customised merchandise.
Customer Service
Customer ServiceCustomer service is at the heart of the hospitality industry. You need to make sure that your guests or customers have a pleasant experience when they’re visiting your establishment. This increases the chances of them returning and recommending your business to their friends and family. Responding to feedback, providing superb housekeeping and welcoming customers are some ways to make sure that your customers sing nothing but praises of your business.
Responding to Feedback
To ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty, the most basic thing that businesses need to do is deliver what’s been promised. If customers feel like their expectations haven’t been met, it is the Hospitality Manager’s responsibility to acknowledge any feedback, positive or negative. This not only increases customer satisfaction but also aids the establishment in bettering their customer service.
Welcoming Customers
Customers or guests should always feel at home in your hospitality establishment. As such, it is of utmost importance that they feel welcomed and wanted. Acknowledge your customers by greeting them upon arrival to make sure that they feel comfortable staying at or visiting your establishment.
Housekeeping
Housekeeping plays a key role in ensuring the care and comfort of guests during their stay at your hospitality establishment. This includes making sure that the environment they’ll be staying in is clean and tidy. Every room, including the bathroom, should be cleaned regularly and every customer should be provided with fresh bedsheets and towels. Hospitality Managers should ensure that the housekeeping department is efficient and effective in maintaining the upkeep and cleanliness of the establishment.
Overseeing Maintenance
As a Hospitality Manager, you also need to ensure the safety of your staff and guests. One way to achieve this is by making sure that your establishment and its facilities are well maintained and secured.
Security
The safety of guests and customers is a top priority for all hospitality establishments. To ensure that all guests are able to enjoy themselves in a secure environment, as a Hospitality Manager, you may be required to hire security personnel as well as supervise their day-to-day roles and responsibilities.
Facilities
Another factor that you need to take charge of to ensure the safety and wellness of all guests is maintaining the upkeep of the establishment’s facilities. Regular maintenance and renovation projects are some things you will need to oversee so that guests can roam the establishment’s premises without fear of getting injured.
Organising and Planning Departmental Tasks
As hospitality establishments usually have quite a few departments, the Hospitality Manager can’t handle all managerial tasks on his or her own. If two departments require immediate help in resolving issues, Hospitality Managers can’t tend to both problems at once. This is where Assistant Hospitality Managers come in. Depending on the size of a department and its responsibilities, an Assistant Hospitality Manager may be required to help run the various departments. But, regardless of how responsibilities are split, the main Hospitality Manager still needs to ensure the seamless operation and integration of all departments.
Communication
Ensuring good and effective communication is the pinnacle of any team’s success. Hence, Hospitality Managers should ensure that communication across the various departments is clear and understood by all in the team. As Hospitality Managers are responsible for the performance of every department, reminding staff members of upcoming events or tasks that need to be completed is one way to make sure that all departments are on task and kept up to date with the latest business decisions.
Assigning Responsibilities
Assigning Responsibilities Learning how to delegate tasks and responsibilities is vital as a Hospitality Manager. Assistant Managers are there so that you don’t have to shoulder the workload alone. Hence, equipping your Assistant Manager with knowledge of the operations and management of the establishment is critical in making sure that the company runs efficiently and smoothly.
Food and Drinks
For some hospitality establishments like cruise ships and resorts, overseeing the food and beverage department is a huge task that may require the assistance of an Assistant Hospitality Manager. While some establishments may rely on catering, essentially, you want to ensure that the quality and quantity of food provided will keep guests happy and satisfied.
Food
It is important to ensure that the food provided suits the occasion. If your guests are paying for the food, they might have higher expectations and expect something fancy. On the other hand, if the event is intended for officials who have been invited, maybe something less grand will be acceptable. Some guests may also have food restrictions, thus you also need to make sure that the food provided accommodates all guests. Building connections with catering businesses and chefs is a good practice as you will have various catering options as well as a chef to call in case you need an emergency replacement.
Drinks
The guidelines for drinks are similar to those for food. However, added measures need to be followed when alcohol is provided at events hosted by your establishment. Alcohol is costly and as such, Hospitality Managers need to be diligent when managing the budgets and finances for events that serve alcohol. During the actual event itself, it is also important to make sure everyone who is served alcohol is of legal age and that all liquor licenses are valid. Other things that should be noted include ensuring the safety and security of all guests by hiring security and making sure that sponsored products are prominently featured.
Get Started on Your Career in Hospitality Management
Though working in the hospitality industry can be demanding and rigorous, equipping yourself with the relevant skills in business management will bring you one step closer to being a successful Hospitality Manager.
Our program is designed specifically to prepare students for a future in hospitality management and with hard work, your efforts will pay off. Having said all that, it is time for you to get started on your career in hospitality management! Start now by enrolling today!
