The global hospitality industry is surging forward, leaving a plethora of employment opportunities in its wake. According to top audit firm Ernst & Young, the travel and tourism sector creates one in every 11 jobs, and is expected to fashion 75 million more in the next 10 years.
This is great news for young people in the hospitality industry, where very diverse opportunities present themselves. Employers are also looking at experience, so for those aiming for international career options, choosing a good overseas recruitment agency can prompt a promising trajectory. Other important skills employers look for are team work, good communication abilities and propensity for leadership.
Research suggests that hospitality jobs in the Middle East are on the rise, with some reports predicting that Dubai alone will open as many as 35,000 new rooms in the next five years. This means there will be more jobs to go around. In India itself, the Indian Bureau of Immigration reported that the number of international arrivals jumped by 10.2 per cent last year. With the new relaxed visa regime, the number is expected to rise and not surprisingly, jobs alongside.
Hotels offer a wide range of services, and as such, require manpower to fulfil these. Hospitality jobs are often associated with hard work, long hours and time away from family on regular holidays. However, these are off-set by passion for customer service, quick learning and skills at entry-level positions, very good pay in the higher strata and exposure to different cultures.
Hospitality jobs around the world involve a wide range of opportunities, from working in housekeeping or food and beverage to organising events and sales. With changing tastes and picky guests, aspirants can even find jobs as strange as a shisha sommelier (Dubai), tanning concierge (Arizona, US) or a guacamologist (Dallas, US).
The hospitality industry is one of the most secure globally since people everywhere will always need to eat, drink and a place to sleep. What is important is being open to new skills and knowledge and keeping abreast of the trends.