If you are one of the millions of people taking a fresh look at their career paths, you may be thinking about more than a salary. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning and purpose have become increasingly important considerations in a career.
What motivates you personally and professionally? If part of the equation involves a desire to make a difference on a daily basis, your ideal career may be waiting for you in the ever-evolving hospitality industry.
5 Leadership Careers in Hospitality
Hospitality is a major global industry. According to HotelTechReport, roughly 10% of global GDP comes from the hotel and tourism industry — a significant component of the hospitality industry as a whole. Hospitality offers leadership opportunities with hotels, resorts, music and sports venues, theme parks, cruise lines, conference centers, brand experience agencies, art museums, restaurants, universities, medical centers and more.
Following are five hospitality career paths to consider:
1. Hotel Manager
What would you say about managing a hotel in the U.S. and staying for free in Paris, Marrakech or other destinations on your list? Hotel managers are in demand. Complimentary stays at locations around the world may offer an added incentive.
Hotel managers have their hands in every aspect of the business — from day-to-day operations to long-term strategic planning. A strong business foundation helps ensure that the hotel operates at a profit while also optimizing the guest experience.
According to Salary.com, hotel managers earn a median annual salary of $110,870 as of June 2022.
2. Hotel Director of Sales
A hotel’s director of sales is all about driving revenue. This position requires knowledge of revenue management as well as excellent analytical, communication and customer service skills. Typical activities for this role include:
- Establishing goals to meet revenue objectives, preparing sales reports
- Building brand awareness, increasing customer loyalty, networking and prospecting
- Planning and implementing strategies to maximize revenue with guest room occupancy, food and beverage sales, meeting rooms and event spaces and cross-selling initiatives such as spa services
- Training, coaching and supervising sales managers and staff
According to Salary.com, a hotel sales director earns a median annual salary of $179,965 as of June 2022.
3. Director of Housekeeping
Do you excel at keeping things running smoothly, even in stressful situations? If so, you may want to take a closer look at this management profession.
A director of housekeeping oversees the day-to-day operations for the housekeeping department. Activities include:
- Hiring, training and supervising housekeeping staff
- Ensuring compliance with standards for safety, cleanliness and sanitation
- Managing inventory and expenses, including cleaning products, uniforms and linens
According to Salary.com, a director of housekeeping earns a median annual salary of $87,900 as of June 2022.
4. Event Manager
Would supervising one-of-a-kind event experiences from start to finish get you up in the morning? If so, the role of event manager could be your place to shine. Job descriptions for event managers are likely to include qualifications such as:
- People person and team player with excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Resourceful self-starter and proactive problem-solver
- Detail-oriented, with the ability to remain calm while juggling competing priorities in fast-paced environments
- Able to meet project milestones on time and within budget
Event managers can work in-house for large corporations or event-planning agencies. They manage trade shows, professional conferences, award ceremonies, galas, music festivals and other events ranging in size from a few dozen to hundreds of thousands of participants.
According to Salary.com, event managers earn a median annual salary of $100,972 as of June 2022.
5. Luxury Travel Advisor
If you are passionate about exploring the world, becoming a luxury travel advisor could be your dream job.
Luxury travel advisors cater to individual clients’ needs, whether for five-star business trips or exclusive getaways. Is the ideal destination a resort accessible only by helicopter or an overwater bungalow on a private island? Research may be the most fun part of designing the ideal experience.
Like other travel agents, you will also book tickets and accommodations and advise clients on visas and other travel requirements. ZipRecruiter reports the average annual pay for luxury travel advisors to be $71,656 as of July 2022. Compensation for this job is often based partially on commissions, which can boost overall earnings.
Whether you want to build on your hospitality experience or are just getting started, earning a master’s can accelerate a career in hospitality leadership. Lamar University’s Master of Science in Hospitality Leadership is 100% online, making it an ideal way to get started.
Learn more about Lamar University’s online Master of Science in Hospitality Leadership program.
