Hotels and restaurants are the face of the country to the outside world. Thus hotels and restaurant industry form an integral part of a country’s infrastructure. With opening up of economies and increasing globalization hotels and restaurant industry is assuming a vital role in showcasing a country’s culture, values and hospitality.

In recent times with rapid industrialization and increase in tourism hotels and restaurant industry has got a positive boost. The career opportunities in this industry has also increased manifold. A career in hotels and restaurant industry is a glamorous one with bright future and good income opportunities.

A career in hotels and restaurant industry entails diverse fields like food and beverage service, housekeeping, management, front office, sales and marketing and accounting.

There is huge demand of experienced personnel in all the fields and with increase in tourism and business trips as people are becoming more mobile this industry is becoming more competitive with huge potential of growth.

Eligibility for Hotel and Restaurant jobs

There are two ways of starting a career in hotels and restaurant industry. One can directly get a job in hotels through advertisements placed in different newspapers. The minimum qualification required is graduation with 50% marks. The hired personnel are trained by hotels themselves.

There are numerous institutes all over India which conduct courses on hotel management. People trained through these institutes are preferred more.

To build a successful career in hotel and restaurant industry one must possess a pleasing personality. Patience, good interpersonal skills and willingness to work hard and at odd hours are some of the essential virtues.

Job Prospects and Career options in Hotel and Restaurant industry

Hotels and restaurants offer some lucrative career options. One can join any department like

• Front office
• Housekeeping
• Food and beverage division
• General operations
• Accounting department
• Marketing and sales
• Maintenance department

A person trained in hotel management can easily find jobs in various fields. Some of the fields where there is huge scope are as follows

• Club management
• Hotel and tourism associations
• Guest houses and forest lodges
• Hotel and catering institutes
• Hotel and restaurant management
• Maintaining and running canteens in colleges, schools, factories etc
• Hospital catering
• Cruise ship
• Airline catering and cabin services

Other than these one can easily opt for self employment also.

Remuneration in hotel and restaurant jobs

Those who complete diploma or bachelor’s degree are absorbed as trainees. After successful completion of training they are taken in various positions with a salary ranging between Rs. 4000 to Rs. 7500 per month. Depending on size and brand value other perks are also given to the employees.