Careers in Hospitality

India is ranked 11th in Asia and 62nd in the world for its richest cultural heritage and beautiful flora and fauna, according to a recent Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report of World Economic Forum. This suffices the reason for the growing importance of hospitality in the country. The word ‘hospitality’ can be defined as a relationship between a visitor and a host. In other words, hospitality mainly concentrates on the services provided to the customers. The field of hospitality requires personal skills, like sense of responsibility, helpful and friendly nature, and attractive appearance, along with good presence of mind. On realizing the significance of the hospitality sector in the country, a number of institutes have started courses in this field, under the administration of National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Scores of job opportunities are available in the hospitality sector, including hotels, travel and tourism, and aviation.

Course Details
Most institutes in India offer courses in hospitality at diploma, certificate, and postgraduate diploma levels. However, some institutions also impart programs in hospitality at undergraduate and postgraduate degree levels. Some of the most common hospitality courses are Certificate Course in Hotel and Catering Management; Diploma in House Keeping, Hotel Reception and Book Keeping, and Restaurant and Counter Service; Craftsmanship Course in Food and Beverage Service; Diploma in Bakery and Confectionery; Diploma in Front Office, Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics and Hospital Food Service; Bachelor of Hotel Management & Catering Technology; BA in Hospitality & Tourism Management; and M.Sc in Hospitality Administration. Talking about the eligibility for UG programs, one has to clear 10+2 level of examination, in any stream, from a recognized state/national board. For PG courses, graduation in relevant stream from any recognized University is mandatory. Students are imparted technicalities about various aspects of the relevant subjects, apart from practical exposure and theoretical knowledge.

Career Prospects
On successful completion of the course in hospitality, one can become a specialist in the field and work as a catering officer or chef in hotels, restaurants, fast food chains, and allied sectors. Customer relations executive, management trainee, and marketing/sales executive are other prospective positions to look out for. Besides, kitchen management and house keeping management are other areas to seek lucrative jobs. Moreover, one can join as an executive in tourism development corporations and resort properties, as a lecturer in hotel management institutes or food craft institutes, and as cabin crew in national and international airlines and cruises. The vast and extensive hospitality industry attracts young aspirants in service apartments, health care, Ayurveda and spa centers, cafés, bars, discotheques, clubs, etc.

Top Colleges Offering UG/PG/Other Courses
Some prominent hospitality institutes in India include: Angel Institute of International Hospitality and Management (AIIHM), Greater Noida; FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management, Greater Noida; Amman Institute of Hospitality Management and Computer Application, Salem; Brilliant Institute of Hospitality Management, West Bengal; College of Hospitality Administration, Jaipur; College of Hospitality and Tourism, Gurgaon; Hope Institute of Hospitality Management, Delhi; Indian Institute of Hospitality Management, Maharashtra; Institute of Hospitality Management, Goa; Army Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Bangalore; MS Ramaiah College of Hotel Management, Bangalore; and Saptagiri College of Hotel Management, Mangalore.

Remuneration
Remuneration in the field of hospitality may vary from one organization to another. At the fresher level, the salary may seem to be low, but with experience, one can be offered high salary packages.