Before COVID-19 the hospitality management industry experienced a period of large growth. As we begin our post-COVID-19 recovery, the industry will return to growth.
Here are some recent statistics to keep in mind1:
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of food service management positions to increase 9% from 2016-2026
- Nearly 1.6 million additional jobs are expected in restaurants and food service by 2028
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also projects a 13% increase in casino hotel managers from 2008-2018, and a 4% increase in hotel and lodging managers from 2016-2026
NEW PROGRAM! Kent State University Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management
The 100% online Master of Science program in Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) provides an integrated hospitality and tourism graduate education, with an emphasis on regional, national, and global implications of the field.
Beginning Fall 2021, the Hospitality and Tourism Management Graduate Program will be offered as a 100% online, 3-semester, cohort-based curriculum. Students will complete this program in only three semesters!
With the 100% online one-year setting, the Hospitality and Tourism Management Graduate Program is accessible to managers who wish to upgrade their skillsets as they prepare for their own career development, as well as recent graduates looking to extend their knowledge of the industry, as we all prepare for post-COVID-19 recovery.
Program Staff
Learn more about Kent State University’s HTM professors.
- Aviad Israeli, Professor and Program Coordinator
- Ally (Seon Jeong) Lee, Associate Professor
- Kiwon Lee, Assistant Professor
- Ning-Kuang Chuang, Associate Professor
- Andrew Lepp, Professor
- Deborah Pasquarella, Associate Lecturer
- Philip Wang, Associate Professor
What Career Opportunities exist with a graduate degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management?
A graduate degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management leads to a range of middle and top management career roles, including (but not limited to): tourism attraction, amusement parks, casinos, catering, clubs, conventions, event and meeting planning, hotels, and resorts, human resources, restaurants, retail manager and many more.
Keep in mind that the career possibilities listed may further extend beyond the hospitality and tourism occupations. The degree offers quality service industries skills that can benefit candidates who seek a career in related industries such as retirement homes, medical tourism, and others.
Here are just a few of the job opportunities that hospitality and tourism management graduates can pursue.2
Management Positions in Guest Relations
Guest relations is a customer-service-oriented sector for those who like to interact and work with people. These careers can be found in many different industries, although they are primarily seen within hotel management.
- Front Office Manager - Front office managers can have many day-to-day duties, including overseeing employees, maintaining guest accounts, coordinating hotel sales, and more
- Directors of Housekeeping - Commonly seen in hotels, directors of housekeeping can be expected to oversee the cleanliness and appearances of the hotel, control labor costs, and maintain supplies, among other related responsibilities
- Sommelier - Sommeliers can be hired within high-end hotels or restaurants as experts of fine wine. They may be able to recommend wine and food pairings, help chefs create up-to-date wine listings for their establishment, or promote wine-based events
Management Positions in the Food and Beverage Industry
The food and beverage industry is divided into two major segments: production and the distribution of edible goods. Related to hospitality, food and beverage occupations can be found in settings such as restaurants, breweries, event centers, and more.
- Restaurant Manager - To ensure the restaurant is operating efficiently, restaurant managers can be hired to oversee a variety of restaurant types - from local taverns to high-end restaurants and fine-dining establishments specializing in international cuisine
- Catering Assistant - A catering assistant may work directly for a catering company, in-house at a restaurant, or at a hotel to arrange bookings, oversee production, and more
- Sous Chef - Another job pertaining to the food and beverage industry is that of a sous chef, which is a second-in-command role within a kitchen. A sous chef reports to the head chef and oversees various meal preparations and kitchen operations
Management Positions in the Tourism Industry
Hospitality management is one aspect of tourism management that provides diverse opportunities for recent graduates. Job roles such as a cruise ship director and flight attendant can take you around the world, but if you prefer a hospitality career that has a consistent home base, below are three relevant suggestions:
- Marketing and Public Relations - A career in Marketing and PR can be connected to both hospitality and tourism-based upon the needs of the industry. Marketing and Public Relations are important to a destination because a positive name in the press can impact the number of people traveling to a touristy town, hotel, or other sightseeing areas
- Travel Agent - A travel agent will research and plan trips for individuals, couples, and groups. This process may entail finding hotels, booking excursions, and sharing deals on flights
- Tour Guide - Tour guides prepare itineraries and offer private or public tours of popular towns, museums, historical sites, or other areas of interest. Tour guides often have extensive knowledge of individual locales and are able to answer questions that pertain to their specific tour
Management Positions in Event Planning
Event planning is another key area of hospitality that involves hands-on organization and interaction. Traits of successful professionals with jobs in event planning may include being flexible, working within a budget, and having a propensity for multitasking.
- In-House Event Planner - Event planners can be involved in every aspect of an event, including booking clients, having regular meetings, problem-solving event details, and arranging the post-event clean-up
- Conference Organizer - These types of organizers can be hired in-house by a venue to arrange seating, keynote speaker necessities, day-of itineraries, and more for a conference, trade show, expo, or other events
- Bridal Consultant - Bridal consultants, or wedding planners, can be hired to oversee multiple aspects of a wedding and reception, from assistance in finding a venue to creating seating charts. These consultants may have versatile day-to-day schedules
Management Positions in the Entertainment and Leisure Industries
The entertainment and leisure industries can perhaps be intertwined with some of those already mentioned above. For instance, it is common for sources of entertainment to spike in tourist towns such as Las Vegas or New York City. Some jobs that both sectors may be looking to employ include:
- Theme Park Manager - Theme parks come with more than just rides and roller coasters, thus making it essential to have managers keeping them up and running. These employees can book shows, plan promotional events, and more
- Casino Host - Casino hosts work with a casino to ensure customer satisfaction. Some of the day-to-day duties of these hosts may include getting to know regular customers and offering various incentives to ensure their casino experience is positive and that they return
- Spa Director - Spas can contribute to leisure and relaxation for guests around the world. Spa directors may oversee scheduling and appointments, maintain inventory, and more
For more information on Kent State’s Online Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management, visit https://onlinedegrees.kent.edu/degrees/master-of-science-hospitality-tourism-management.
1 Retrieved on February 22, 2021, from https://www.kent.edu/ehhs/fla/hm
2 Retrieved on February 23, 2021, from https://www.kent.edu/ehhs/fla/hm/15-potential-jobs
