Bright prospects in the hospitality sector

The hospitality sector has reached new heights today. It plays a major role in the overall economic growth of the country. Along with the rapid industrial growth and promotion of tourism, the catering and hotel sector is booming and offering huge job prospects.

Why choose a career in hospitality?
India has a large concentration of educated English speaking people, which provides an impetus of growth to the hospitality sector like restaurant management/fast food joint management, club management/recreation and health care centre management, cruise ship management, institutional and industrial catering, airline catering and cabin services, hotel and catering institute, hotel and tourism associations, catering departments in banks and insurance houses, and government-owned catering departments, e.g., railway, armed forces, ministerial conventions etc..

Career options
Hotels: Placement is possible in different categories of hotels ranging from five star properties to international chains. Vacancies are found in different departments such as housekeeping, food and beverage services, front office and food production.

Salary: Freshers can expect a salary of 20000-25000 as Management Trainee. On completion of training, the salary can go up to 30000-35000.

Airline industry: This is a good option for graduates in hotel management. Freshers can join as Air Hostess and Flight Stewards. Some also join as Ground Staff, Public Relationship Officers and Guest Relations Executives.

Salary: It varies according to the type of airlines chosen. For domestic airlines, entrants are paid 20000-25000 whereas for international airlines, it is 35000-40000 and for cruise, it is 60000-70000.

Cruise ship management: This not only offers a good job opportunity but also the chance to earn well while travelling to exotic ports for free!

Salary: Remuneration starts at Rs 30,000-35,000. Salary knows no bounds once you have the relevant experience.

Travel Agency: Although the travel agency business has consolidated in recent years, people who know how to put together packages are still in demand. The demand for expensive junkets remains strong among the well-heeled traveller. Globally, travel agents are very much in demand for their foreign packages.

Prominent institutes offering a course in hospitality administration are:
Madhuban Institute of Hospitality Management & Research (MAHAR)
National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology
New Delhi YMCA

Mr. Hemant Kumar Kochar
The author is the Director of Madhuban Academy of Hospitality Administration and Research (MAHAR). He can be reached at kochar.hemant@gmail.com

More institutes offering Hospitality Administration courses:
Allied Institute of Hotel Management and Culinary Arts (AIHMCA),
Bharath School of Management Studies, Chennai, Chennai
Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management, Catering and Nutrition, Chandigarh

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