Hospitality Management in India: Five Trends To Know (2024)

Although a layman’s perception of hospitality is overwhelmed by the notion of “guest-oriented services”, the scope of hospitality management in India has drastically expanded in recent years. There must be more to an industry with an annual revenue worth $1 trillion and over 8 million employees globally. The share of travel and tourism within the Indian economy is around 10% and steadily growing. More importantly, the industry claims to create nearly 8% employment in India which is expected to grow in the future. Within the next ten years, the hospitality sector will create nearly 70 lakh new jobs directly and nearly 1 crore jobs indirectly.

The statistics mentioned above only reflect the domestic career prospects. There are opportunities that lie beyond. According to Bhavna Bhatia who works with HVS, an international hospitality executive search company, the domestic demand for mid- and senior-level hospitality managers in India has exploded in recent years.

In the past, senior management positions in the Indian hospitality sector were filled with expatriates who would, in turn, train local employees. In recent years, however, not only has the local talent been taking up the domestic leadership positions, but a large volume of hospitality talent groomed in India is being absorbed globally at senior management positions.

Hospitality management: a wider scope

It is a misconception that hospitality management is only about hotels. If you like analogies, think of an astronaut simulating the challenges of space travel while practicing the voyage at remote corners of Hawaii or Antarctica.

Similarly, while services such as guest experience, food & beverage, and lodging lie at the core of the hospitality industry, hospitality managers use these areas as simulation laboratories to acquire the attitude, skills and knowledge that is easily transformable to other industries.

The most rewarding aspect of developing hospitality competencies comes from the fundamental operating attitude: creating a pleasant client experience. In the currents state of affairs where the customer service is increasingly outsourced and gradually being supplanted by artificial intelligence, the “human touch” sets the hospitality managers apart.

As a result, there is a strong appetite for such managers in the MICE (meeting, incentives, conferences and events), wealth management, retail, luxury, auditing, banking, real estate, consulting, luxury and retail sectors –among others- where a manager is often client-faced.

Take Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland, for example - the oldest hospitality management school in the world - where nearly half the alumni work in industries beyond hospitality. The trend is strongly reinforcing itself as a much larger proportion of hospitality management graduates tend to pursue their career beyond hospitality. However, the “home” market for hospitality management graduates itself is ripe with opportunities.

An evolving skill set

Hospitality management in India (and globally) seems to be decoupling from the traditional mold of “operations” and is establishing itself as an independent domain of business services. Top-ranked hotel schools in Switzerland and Hong Kong have positioned themselves as specialized business schools and are also helping mainstream business schools with their hospitality-focused programs. In several US universities, hospitality management is already part of the business school's curriculum.

These educational trends are in response to the demands of the industry. For example, international hotel chains now expect their general managers – who have traditionally been focused on operations - to develop real estate competencies so as to maximize their hotel values.

While Indian hospitality professionals are gaining leadership in global companies - especially in areas such as real estate, revenue management, development, and strategy - most of their training in these areas happens at the workplace. Bhavna observes that in the Indian hospitality sector, positions in finance, development, accounting, etc. are mostly filled by resources home-grown within the industry and the trend is gradually picking up in the marketing area.

Schools teaching hospitality management in India who traditionally stressed more on operations are now gradually acknowledging the evolving nature of the industry whereas some new generation schools have already included business competencies within the curriculum.

Emerging trends

Traditionally, hospitality management in India has not been the most preferred career path for young management aspirants. As more candidates are picking up this career path as a choice, hotel schools need to do more on developing soft skills and the “spirit for service”, opines Sandeep Kumar, who heads the HR operations in India for catering and facilities management giant Sodexo. As the curriculum enriches on the business front, the gap between business and hospitality-oriented roles in hospitality firms could be filled. Sandeep also points out a new trend of hospitality entrepreneurship among young hospitality managers.

Gender-gap

Women have made some of the best hospitality managers in India, says Bhavna, and social and regulatory reshaping across some state governments (Tamilnadu, Haryana, Maharastra, etc.) is helping to further improve the gender gap-related issues. Besides, the hospitality clientele (e.g. hospitals, schools, etc.) are now subtly pushing for superior gender equality in the profession.

What are recruiters looking for?

Graduates of hospitality management in India are increasingly facing the rapid evolution of the industry and must be prepared. At an entry-level, recruiters are looking for hospitality management professionals who have already been exposed to the “real work culture,” says Bhavna and over time, building a specialization is often desirable. Problem-solving, multi-tasking, and technologically-savvy hospitality managers are “resilient enough” to serve in a dynamically changing business environment.

This article first appeared on EducationTimes.com on July 23, 2018.

Hospitality Management in India: Five Trends To Know (1)

Hospitality Management in India: Five Trends To Know (2)

Written by

Associate Professor of Real Estate Finance at EHL

Hospitality Management in India: Five Trends To Know (2024)

FAQs

What are some major trends in the hospitality industry? ›

5 Trends Driving The Hospitality Industry And What They Mean For Property Management
  1. Rises in rates are bringing rises in expectations. ...
  2. Hybrid work is enabling an uptick in hybrid trips. ...
  3. Self-service and mobile tech are a must. ...
  4. The focal point of travel today is the experience.
Apr 12, 2023

What are the 5 main services included in the hospitality industry? ›

These sectors include food and beverages, lodging, recreation, travel and tourism, and meetings and events.

What is the trend in Indian hospitality in 2023? ›

Occupancy in Indian hotels is expected to improve to 66 percent in 2023, according to hospitality research firm HVS Anarock's latest report. India's hospitality sector ended 2022 with occupancy in the 59-61 percent range, up 15-17 percentage points from the previous year, the report said.

What are the 6 technology trends redefining the hospitality industry? ›

Between gamified travel planning, VR tours, contactless service, chatbots, in-room IoT and location-based services, it's a whole new world for hospitality players.

What are the three trends that are having an impact on hospitality industry? ›

Three key technology trends affecting tourism and hospitality today and into the foreseeable future are mobile technology, smart tourism, and immersive technology.

What are the 4 hospitality pillars? ›

The Four Pillars of Hospitality Technology
  • First Pillar: Physical Infrastructure. This first pillar is the most readily understood as well as the most established and expensive to upgrade. ...
  • Second Pillar: Management Systems. ...
  • Third Pillar: Digital Marketing Channels. ...
  • Fourth Pillar: Your Staff. ...
  • A Checklist For Acquisition.
Jun 19, 2017

What are the 5 segments of hospitality & tourism? ›

Hospitality workers also vary in age from a high-school student to a retired employee working part-time. The industry is complex, consisting of five major segments: food, lodging, travel, tourism and recreation.

What are the 4 main categories of the hospitality industry? ›

The hospitality industry is vast and can be broken down into separate sectors. The top four sectors consist of; 'Food and Beverage', 'Accommodation', 'Travel and Tourism' and 'Entertainment and Recreation'.

How do you keep up with trends in the hospitality industry? ›

One of the easiest and most accessible ways to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in the hospitality industry is to read industry publications and blogs regularly. These sources can provide you with valuable insights, news, tips, and best practices from experts and peers in your field.

What are the biggest hospitality trends related to technology? ›

The Top 22 Technology Trends in the Hospitality Industry (2023...
  • Localized guest services.
  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Mobile enabled check-ins.
  • Automated guest messaging.
  • Contactless payments.
  • Rich guest data and analytics.
  • Cloud PMS.
  • Revenue management system.

What factors and trends are disrupting the hospitality industry? ›

These are:
  • Changing traveller expectations. Consumer expectations have changed dramatically in recent years. ...
  • An upsurge in mobile. ...
  • Big data and Artificial Intelligence. ...
  • Regulations. ...
  • Risk and uncertainty. ...
  • Virtual Reality and Robotics. ...
  • The Sharing Economy.

How is the hospitality of India? ›

The pan-India hotel occupancy is estimated to stand at 40-42 percent during FY2022, rising from 26-28 percent in FY2021. Following this, the occupancy is expected to increase to 68-70 percent in FY2023.

What is the culture of hospitality in India? ›

Namaste is the customary Indian greeting that is not only practised to welcome guests but also to acknowledge strangers, working both as salutation and valediction. What's more, the gesture is said to express courtesy, honour, gratitude, and hospitality to the other person.

What is the forecast of hospitality industry in India? ›

The hotel industry in India is expected to reach a value of INR 1,210.87 Bn by the end of 2023, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of ~13% during the 2018-2023 period, owing to the high arrival rate of foreign tourists and business delegates.

What are 3 emerging trends in technology? ›

Artificial Intelligence (AI) for development. IoT technologies, infrastructure and applications (smart societies) Blockchain technologies, infrastructure and applications. 5G.

What is an example of technology trends in hospitality industry? ›

There are many benefits that technology can bring to the hospitality industry. For example, technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots can improve guest experience, mobile ordering can increase efficiency, and robots can lower staff workload and minimize costs.

What are the 4 major challenges of the hospitality industry? ›

Top 5 biggest challenges facing the hospitality industry in 2023
  • Experience and Personalization. ...
  • Sustainability. ...
  • Increase in Hospitality Tech. ...
  • Changing Consumer Demands and Markets. ...
  • Rising Operational Costs.
Feb 27, 2023

What are the 3 C's in hospitality? ›

Hotel Crisis Management 3Cs – Concern, Control & Commitment.

What are the 3 P's of hospitality? ›

The “3 P's” are Protect, Prevent and Promote. We've seen that properties that follow these principles regularly see higher performance than properties that do not.

What are the 6 rules of hospitality? ›

They include: being kind and optimistic, or having hope; having an intellectual curiosity; a strong work ethic; having empathy; having self-awareness; and most importantly, having integrity.

What are the 7 elements in the hospitality concept framework? ›

A Hotel Concept is designed around 7 components that cover all aspects of running it successfully: The Story, The People, The Space, The Identity, The Services, The Content, and The Channels.

What are the five key dimensions of hospitality experience? ›

They distinguish five dimensions of hospitality: personalization, warm welcoming, special relationship, strait from the heart and comfort. Except the comfort, which is about the comfort in the hotel room, all dimensions refer to the behaviour of the hotel staff.

What are the 10 ethics of hospitality? ›

10 Ethical Principles for a Hospitality Manager
  • #1 Honesty. People around the world appreciate honesty and to become a successful hospitality manager, you have to be honest and truthful in all your dealings. ...
  • #2 Integrity. ...
  • #3 Trustworthy. ...
  • #4 Loyalty. ...
  • #5 Fairness. ...
  • #6 Respect. ...
  • #7 Commitment. ...
  • #8 Leadership.
Aug 1, 2016

What are the 5 sections of tourism? ›

Five industries - one important sector of the economy
  • Accommodation. The accommodation industry includes hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds. ...
  • Food and Beverage Services. ...
  • Recreation and Entertainment. ...
  • Transportation. ...
  • Travel Services.

What is the backbone of the hospitality industry? ›

The backbone of the hospitality industry is the customer experience and the services. If the customer is happy and satisfied with your service then he will come next time after the first visit.

What are the future trends in hospitality industry? ›

In this article we've looked at the future of the hospitality industry, including top trends like personalized attention and human hospitality, increased use of technology, smart mobile technology, the rise of sustainable and eco-friendly practices, increased emphasis on safety and health, as well as the rise of ...

Why is it important to know the trends in hospitality industry? ›

It is important for hospitality operations to know and understand the industry trends so they can meet travelers' needs better than the competition.

What is hospitality marketing trends? ›

60 Hospitality Marketing Trends to Watch. Personalization: customized experiences based on guest preferences and behavior data. Sustainability: eco-friendly practices and a focus on social responsibility. Direct bookings: encouraging guests to book directly through the hotel's website or mobile app.

What do you think the future of the hospitality industry looks like? ›

Opportunities to look towards the future will abound, and convergence of sustainability and hygiene will be a potential area of innovation and change. Sustainability was also a pressing topic in the hospitality industry before the pandemic, and it will likely come back following the reopening of borders and travel.

What is the largest segment of the hospitality industry? ›

Food and beverage is the largest segment of hospitality. It includes any food and beverage establishment large or small. This means 5-star restaurants, catering companies, delis, cafeterias and so much more!

What are the new technologies in tourism and hospitality industry? ›

Additionally, new technological innovations such as 5G mobile network, artificial intelligence, radio frequency identification, mobile devices, smartphones and wearables, applications, cryptocurrency and blockchain significantly changed the paradigm of tourism and hospitality industry.

What trend is currently affecting hotels? ›

Current and emerging hotel trends to be aware of
  • Smart hotel technology. Incorporating the Internet of Things (IoT) into a property is something that excites guests. ...
  • Sustainable hotels. ...
  • Robot staff. ...
  • Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. ...
  • Unique brand experiences.

What is the most common problem in the hospitality industry? ›

Challenge. Hiring and retaining staff has always been one of the most common problems in the hospitality industry. Every hotel requires quality staff on all fronts; be it administration, maintenance, kitchen, housekeeping, or frontdesk.

What are the 10 common types of problems in the hospitality industry discuss each item briefly? ›

Major Issues Facing the Hospitality Industry in 2021
  • Implementation of Technology. ...
  • Reputation Management. ...
  • Retaining and Attracting Employees. ...
  • Environmentally Friendly Practices. ...
  • Personalising Customers Experience. ...
  • Loyalty Programs.
Feb 24, 2021

What are two examples of general trends in the hospitality industry? ›

As hotels incorporate more digital technologies across departments, smart rooms will become an increasingly popular hotel trend. Keyless door locks, voice control technology, and remote room controls are all features we can expect to see as hotels place a greater emphasis on technology in the coming years.

What are the travel and hospitality industry trends in 2023? ›

In 2023, we can expect to see more technological advancements, such as virtual and augmented reality, and the integration of smart devices in hotel rooms. Sustainability has become an increasingly critical issue in the hospitality industry, and 2023, it will be a key focus for many hotels and resorts.

What are the three general trends? ›

The three main types of trends are uptrends, downtrends and horizontal trends.

What is the biggest challenge facing the hospitality industry? ›

Top 5 biggest challenges facing the hospitality industry in 2023
  1. Experience and Personalization. ...
  2. Sustainability. ...
  3. Increase in Hospitality Tech. ...
  4. Changing Consumer Demands and Markets. ...
  5. Rising Operational Costs.
Feb 27, 2023

What is the future of hospitality industry? ›

As the world slowly recovers, hotels and resorts are looking towards the future and planning for the next five years. The hospitality industry is expected to rebound strongly, with pent-up demand for travel and a desire for unique experiences driving growth.

What is the hospitality perspectives 2023? ›

Irish Hospitality Perspectives 2023 was designed to explore what lies ahead for the industry through incisive and insightful panel discussions, framed by perspectives of where the hospitality sector currently lies both at the macro and micro level, with a strong line-up of participants, moderated by MC Anton Savage and ...

What is the most important factor in the hospitality industry? ›

Service in the hospitality industry holds the key. Customers are considered to be the King.

Why is it important to know current trends and future trends? ›

Staying informed on trends is important to help you build credibility and value and to show that you know where your field is heading in the future. Successful people spend time every day keeping up with the latest news and developments in their field, so make time in your day for these strategies.

What is the future of tourism and hospitality in the next 10 years? ›

There will be more guest-oriented designs, a lobby that is ever changing, creative, innovative. Hotels will think differently, be healthier and offer immediate satisfaction. Hotels will be a guest experience that touches all of the senses.”

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