The growth of hospitality industry has opened up many new job opportunities for graduates in areas such as hotels, restaurants, taverns, transportation, travel agencies, recreation, leisure, etc.
It's important to note that in 1997, tourism and hospitality industry provided approximately 10.5% of the total world employment. The World Travel Organization predicts that it will triple in size by the year 2020, which will make it one of the world's largest industries. This will open opportunities for employment for candidates with right skills and qualifications.
Over time, the nature of tourism and hospitality has developed in scopes and directions, away from traditional activities. Today, tourism and hospitality is not just confined for visitors, or those on normal holidays. Instead, it has become more and more sophisticated—adventure tourism, sports tourism, cultural tourism, religious tourism and various leisure activities.
These days, many young people—both with and without hospitality background—are looking for suitable vocational courses which will assist them to pursue a career in hospitality, the core point of which is skills enhancement and on the job training that will bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real work environment.
Numerous job profiles are available in the hospitality sector, and it depends on the candidate's personality, attitude, skills, knowledge, experience and educational qualifications. However, in order to work at the top level or middle-level management, candidates must have a qualification in Hospitality.
Financial benefits vary according to the candidate's work experience, knowledge and skills. Generally, you have to start from scratch but the pay scale is exuberantly high in the hospitality industry once you move up the corporate ladder.
While cultural differences, languages and copious financial benefits make the work fun, long and odd working hours, rude customers and pressure from management as well as from the guests can sometimes disappoint those in the hospitality industry.
The author is Manager – Hospitality Program at LCCI Nepal, an International Training and Certification Company. He can be reached at umesh@lccinepal.com.
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