Hospitality is one of the foundations of modern business. To be hospitable is to be friendly or generous to others. In most industries, a friendly or generous demeanor is absolutely essential. In fact, most complaints received by businesses on Yelp are due to the attitude of their employees. Hospitality is so important to business that it has its own branch in the business world: the hospitality industry.
But what is the hospitality industry?
This article gives an
What is the Reason for Success in the Hospitality Industry?
Those in the hospitality industry have a wide variety of roles and responsibilities. In most cases, they have to balance different tasks at the same time while staying engaged with their customers.
You may wonder, what is the reason for success in the hospitality industry? Above all, creating a welcoming atmosphere for customers leads to a successful career in hospitality. If a customer leaves a place of business feeling heard and cared for by its employees, then the hospitality employee has done their job.
Not everyone is suited for the hospitality industry. Those who are able to be kind, attentive, and warm to customers regardless of circumstances are often able to flourish in their role. Hospitality can be both challenging and highly rewarding.
What are Some Hospitality Business Examples?
If you are interested in entering the hospitality business, there are a wide variety of options. Popular hospitality business examples include lodging, recreation, food and beverage, meetings and events, and tourism/travel. This section will discuss the differences and similarities between hospitality career paths.
The lodging industry
There will always be plenty of professional opportunities in the lodging industry. The purpose of the lodging industry is to provide overnight accommodations. Depending on the setting, those in the lodging industry may be asked to serve dozens or even hundreds of guests daily. Here are some common lodging career options:
- Working in a hotel or motel. While some hotels or motels are quite small, others can house hundreds of people at once. Your responsibility would be to offer friendly service, help them get settled, answer questions, offer amenities, and support them through any difficulties.
- Working at a bed and breakfast. Similar to a hotel or motel, you will be asked to accommodate guests who may be traveling or on vacation. A bed and breakfast tends to be smaller than most hotels or motels and often more intimate.
- Offering vacation rentals. A common form of vacation rental is Airbnb. Your role is to be available for guests, answer questions, and help them feel settled in their temporary space.
The recreation industry
There are a lot of professional options within the recreation industry. The option you prefer will likely depend on your temperament. Your role in recreation is to support customers in their pursuit of entertainment, learning, and fun. Unlike the lodging industry, you will likely only interact with a customer within a
Common settings within the recreation industry include:
- Movie or play theaters
- Zoos or aquariums
- Art exhibits
- Museums
- Amusement or water parks
- Campgrounds
The food and beverage industry
Working in the food and beverage industry can be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. Those in the industry are responsible for serving, preparing, and transporting food and drinks to customers. Along with ensuring customers meet their needs, employees are expected to have a friendly and warm demeanor. Career opportunities include:
- Working for a catering company
- Working in a pub or bar
- Working in a
fast-food restaurant - Working at a winery, distillery, or cidery
- Working in a school or hospital cafeteria
- Working at a deli
- Working for a
third-party delivery service such as DoorDash or Uber Eats
The meetings and events industry
This section of the hospitality industry supports customers in a wide range of business, social, and sporting events. Whether it’s a small event or a Major League Baseball game, the events industry tends to bring in a larger revenue than other industries. Examples of this industry include:
- Holiday events (Christmas, birthdays, Halloween, etc.)
- Trade shows (cards, cars, etc.)
- Large or small family events
- Sporting events (baseball, basketball, or football games)
- Farm shows
- Business conferences
- Large or small conventions
The travel and tourism industry
The travel and tourism industry is essentially a combination of all of the industries mentioned previously. Individuals who are traveling for vacation, school, or work often have similar needs. The travel and tourism industry can:
- Offer methods of transportation (like renting a car or buying a plane ticket)
- Connect you to hotels
- Recommend restaurants
- Provide you with room services
- Hand your tickets at the local amusement park
- And much more.
What is the Impact of Technology on the Hospitality Industry?
The hospitality industry has changed dramatically due to the role of technology in recent years. The process of booking guests, collecting customer data, making reservations, managing inventory, and even hiring new employees has never been easier.
Information technology has allowed hospitality employees to offer quicker, more efficient services. This gives them the opportunity to spend more time giving hospitable service without stressing about technological troubleshooting.
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