What Are the Education Requirements for a Hotel Management Career?

<p>With an education and training in hotel management, you'd be prepared for a career as a lodging manager. Your work setting is dependent upon your employer, since hotel management skills could carry over to other lodging institutions like boardinghouses or hostels. You might work in an assistant manager role, in a head manager role or with a team of managers, depending on the size of the establishment at which you work. </p> <p>The overall operations of the hotel are in your hands. You need to make sure that your employers are drawing a profit from the establishment. This means that you have to actively advertise. Additionally, you'll perform bookkeeping duties, such as keeping track of the income your hotel generates. </p> <p>You're also in charge of overseeing your team of workers. You'll write the work schedules and monitor employee performance. If any customers have complaints or questions, you'll answer them to ensure that they're handled properly. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutHotelManagers">Important Facts About Hotel Managers</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Continuing Education</td><td>Required every five years to maintain certification</td></tr> <tr><td>Online Availability</td><td>Full coursework available</td></tr> <tr><td>Specializations</td><td>International, marketing and sales, accounting and financial</td></tr> <tr><td>Key Skills</td><td>Leadership and interpersonal skills, as well as business and customer service skills</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---EducationalPrograms">Educational Programs</h3> <p>For hotel management careers, it's recommended that you acquire a bachelor's degree, although a high school diploma or associate degree can suffice in some cases. Majors in hotel management and hospitality are the most common. You can expect to take both general business courses and specialized hospitality courses. </p> <h3 id="section---HospitalityCourses">Hospitality Courses</h3> <p>A hotel or hospitality management bachelor's degree program may include the following major courses: </p> <ul><li>Hospitality law </li><li>Hospitality financial management </li><li>Hotel and restaurant sales and marketing </li><li>Security </li><li>Facilities management </li><li>Hotel operations </li><li>Restaurant management </li></ul><h3 id="section---BusinessCourses">Business Courses</h3> <p>Another area covered in a hotel or hospitality management bachelor's program is general business. Some example courses you might take include: </p> <ul><li>Management principles </li><li>Business computing </li><li>Human resources management </li><li>Communication </li><li>Economics </li><li>Finance and accounting </li><li>Strategic management </li></ul><h3 id="section---Internships">Internships</h3> <p>Significant work experience is usually required for a position as a hotel manager. You'll find many hotel management programs have internship or work opportunities. If offered, you'll want to participate in such an internship program in order to gain some firsthand experience. </p> <h3 id="section---JobOutlookAndSalaryInformation">Job Outlook and Salary Information</h3> <p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that employment of lodging managers is expected to increase by 18% over the 2021-2031 decade (<i>www.bls.gov</i>), which is slower than average. Despite an increase in tourism and travel, lodging businesses are looking to cut expenses and streamline operations. As a result, you'll find that hotels are increasingly using only one manager per location. However, larger casinos and resorts will generate more job opportunities. In addition, the BLS notes that bachelor's degree holders might find more opportunities. </p> <p>The BLS noted that lodging managers had a median annual income of $59,430 in May 2021. The top ten percent of earners made $103,780 or more annually, while the bottom ten percent of earners made $35,530 or less annually. Most of the employment was in the traveler accommodation industry, and workers in that area earned an average of $66,670 in May 2021.</p>