When people think about the hospitality industry, they immediately think of food, restaurants and hotels. Careers such as being a professional chef, waiters, hotel managers, even sommeliers are the immediate occupations that come to mind.
But hospitality careers actually encompass a wide range of professional occupations, much more than what comes to mind. Even just the definition of the word hospitality—the friendly reception and entertainment of guests and visitors—gives a person an idea as to how vast the industry is. It’s not just about the food, the wine, the ambiance—it’s also about creating exceptional and memorable experiences for people. Hospitality jobs are actually part of the service industry and mainly have to do with creating entertainment for people with enough time and disposable income for such pursuits.
From restaurant jobs to gaming and recreation facilities to theme parks, the sectors are varied and numerous. The industry covers, among others, businesses that provide for accommodations such as hotels, hostels, and motels; restaurants and bars including nightclubs and cafes; and travel and tourism related organizations like travel agencies and the airline cabin staff.
The hospitality industry is a multi-billion dollar enterprise and is actually been around since ancient times. People the world over have always found time for the pursuit of leisure and pleasure. With the proper training, it’s an excellent career path for any person looking for an exciting job experience with a lot of opportunities for advancement. There are hundreds of careers to choose from and tons of opportunities to meet a diverse group of people from all over the world.