Youth Incorporated Magazine

Both the terms, Hospitality and Hotel Management revolve around taking care of the guests in a way they feel welcomed, at home and think about returning as soon as possible. There is always confusion amongst students between the courses of hospitality training and hotel management. Seeming similar, both these industries have several differences between them. It is important for students to understand these differences so that they can choose an appropriate career path for their future. A common factor between both these courses is that at last, they are in the vast umbrella of the tourism industry.

Let us clearly understand the differences between hotel management and hospitality industry

Hotel Management

As the name suggests, Hotel Management is related to all the functions that take place in a hotel. The services provided to the guest from the moment they enter the premises of the hotel until they leave are all covered in hotel management. The responsibility of all activities during the guest’s stay in the hotel becomes a part of hotel management.

The different jobs under hotel management are

Front Desk and Reception

When the guest arrives at a hotel, it is the Front Desk or Reception that welcomes them and commences the process to complete the registration formalities and escorts them towards the lobby.

Concierge

This is a desk in the lobby which is responsible for loading or unloading guest’s luggage and delivering it to their room and also collecting the luggage from there while checking out.

Room Service and Housekeeping

The maintenance of all guest rooms, service areas, common areas and lobbies, is the responsibility of the housekeeping department. Housekeeping delivers meals and takes cares of all the needs of the guests and makes sure it is delivered to their room.

Food and Beverage 

This department looks after the maintenance and management of all dining areas including the kitchen space and serving the guests in the dining areas.

Travel Desk

Travel desk takes the responsibilities of picking up and dropping the guests from airport, railway or any other location, ticketing, planning and coordination of guests.

Health and Spa

Maintaining and managing the services provided to the guests in the salon, spa, gym, swimming pool, etc. is the responsibility of this department.

Students with a hotel management degree will find employment opportunities in star-rated hotels, guest houses, resorts, airlines, food courts, restaurants, etc.

Hospitality Management

The term ‘Hospitality’ means taking care of a person. It is not only related to hotels but all the organizations. After all, any guest or visitor to an office, restaurant, club, institution, etc. requires to be attended, welcomed and appreciated. If there is a person who is trained professionally in the hospitality industry to receive them, then the guest or visitor is sure to have a pleasant experience. Hospitality Management is a wide term concerned with different industries like food and beverage, travel, event management, lodging, recreation, etc.

The different jobs under hospitality management are

Catering

Catering is a part of the hospitality industry and can take the form of high-end restaurants, fast-food eateries, cafes and many other manifestations. The catering business can symbiotically function as part of other businesses, such as in bowling alleys or movie theatres, offices, etc.

Travel & Tourism

Travel and tourism industry is one of the largest elements of the hospitality industry with several key players across the globe. The major function of tourism is to motivate people to travel. When people travel, either for leisure or business purposes they tend to spend money on hospitality. It includes trains, airlines, cruise ships, cars, etc.

Lodging and Accommodation

Lodging means accommodation for a specific period or a particular place to sleep for one or several nights. Fancy hotels, youth hostels, campgrounds, motels, inns, lodge, dormitories and other businesses that provide a place for people to spend their nights and sleep, are all in the lodging industry.

Recreation and Entertainment

Recreation is the activities people do for rest, relaxation and enjoyment. Its goal is to refresh a person’s body and mind. Entertainment is a crucial part of our travel these days. If the guests’ travelling experience lacks fun and entertainment then they might not be able to enjoy their time to the fullest.

So now that you know the difference between Hotel Management and Hospitality Management and the career opportunities associated with each, go ahead and decide what interests you the most and start perusing your dream.