OPPORTUNITIES IN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

What opportunities will there be for hospitality employees in the future? Can growing multinational corporations provide career growth? Can smaller organizations meet current and future development needs?

The hospitality industry is no longer a local one. We are truly living in a global village. Outside influences on our market dictate that we, as professionals, must keep current within our industry as well as in the world market.

With the 21st century just around the corner, professionals in our industry need to become more business minded. Our industry leaders will need to know more about business than about specific details inside this industry in general. Worldwide technological advances and networking capabilities will make it imperative that hospitality professionals develop and apply good business techniques. The 21st century hospitality professional, whether restaurateur or hotelier, will be a businessperson first.

The future professional in our industry will hold a business degree from a recognized university or college. A strong background in marketing, finance and technology will be the foundation on which he or she will develop. The Pacific Rim is going to open up new career opportunities making it even more evident that today's professional keep aware of what is happening in the world-wide market. It is critical for the professional to identify where his or her particular talents will be required in the future.

In addition, technology will introduce new interviewing techniques. It will be easy for prospective employees to be interviewed from anywhere in the world. Already with the introduction of the fax machine and the internet, financial statements, marketing studies, menus, drawings, plans, et cetera, can be sent halfway around the world within seconds. Technology will even make it possible for an employer in the Middle East or Asia , for example, to just flash that required criteria on a computer monitor at the internet page. Potential candidates will locate the ideally suitable positions and within seconds be in touch with the potential employers or employment agencies.

Sudhakar Hannda

Hospitality and Foodservice Consultant