CHAPTER 6

TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY CAREER PATHWAY AND

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Career opportunities in sectors of tourism and hospitality industry.

• Tourism and hospitality is a diverse industry which offers long-term career opportunities for enthusiastic individuals who want to put their education and skills to work in various environments.

• People in tourism and hospitality may work indoors or outdoors, standard hours or on a flexible schedule, seasonal jobs or all-year-round. It’s one of the most exciting and diverse career paths out there.

What Is Tourism and Hospitality?• The tourism and hospitality industry can be

divided into five career areas: accommodation, food and beverage services, recreation and entertainment, transportation and travel services.

• All of these areas involve providing services to people.

What Kinds of Careers Are Available in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry?

• From operational positions to management and executive-level responsibilities, you'll find opportunities for solid training, knowledge and skill development along with unlimited career growth.

• The tourism and hospitality industry also offers a unique environment for those who wish to start their own business.

Operational Positions• These usually involve direct contact with

tourists and are often the first step in a lifetime career. Sample jobs include:

-Ski Repair Technician-Bartender-Concierge-Adventure Tour Guide-Cook-Sales Coordinator

Supervisory Positions• These people hire, manage, motivate and

schedule operational positions as well as provide key functional expertise. Sample jobs include:-Guest Services Supervisor-Ski Patrol Supervisor-Event Planner-Restaurant Shift Supervisor-Team Leader Accounting-Maintenance Supervisor

Management Positions• These positions involve budgeting, analysis,

planning and change management in order to help employees and the organization to grow and prosper. There may also be interaction with other tourism sectors and community involvement. Sample jobs include:-Director of Sales and Marketing-Head Chef-Ski Area Manager-Rooms Division Manager-Adventure Company Owner-Attractions Operations Manager

Executives• Executives are often responsible for several

departments or divisions and usually work at a regional, national or international level. They are responsible for strategic planning and have significant budget responsibility. Sample jobs include:-Hotel General Manager-Regional Manager of Restaurant Chain-Vice President of Human Resources-Tour Company President-Convention Centre Executive Director-CEO of Destination Marketing Organization

Employability skills necessary for success in tourism andhospitality profession

a. Communication skills.b. Team workc. Problem solvingd. Good initiative and enterprising attitudee. Planning and organizing skillsf. Good self- managementg. Lifelong learning attitudeh. Good technology know-how

What qualities do you need to succeed?• The most important qualities are

communication, teamwork and customer service skills. Whatever the location, position or technical skills, to make it in travel and tourism you need to enjoy challenges and have the ability to work well with people.

• It is important to appreciate that people around the world have different ways of doing things. Working in the travel and tourism industry, you will come to learn a lot about people.

• To find out what it takes to work in this very people-focused industry, we asked many people in the industry. These are some of the qualities they identified:

• maturity and people skills• the ability to think on your feet• good selling skills• the ability to create a rapport with people of different ages

and different cultures• a sense of humour• an outgoing personality• a strong customer service ethic and a desire to help people• good computer skills• good organisational skills• good communication and listening skills

• confidence• leadership• an empathic attitude that encourages others to place

their trust in you• health and fitness• a practical nature and commonsense• good general knowledge• problem-solving skills• enjoyment of the outdoors• the ability to work in a team• a good memory for people's names• strong attention to detail, because a little mistake could

mean a major disaster.

Entrepreneurial activities

• The tourism and hospitality industries are dominated by small business and the vast majority of the entrepreneurs are lifestyles rather than rational professionals.

• Tourism, hospitality and leisure industries are primarily based on entrepreneurship and small businesses (Thomas, 1998, 2000,Morrison et al., 1998, Getz, 2004, Buhalis and Main, 1998).

The importance of entrepreneurial activities

• Change initiation: the capability of identifying an opportunity for creation or innovation and the ability to turn it into a reality

• Creative resourcing: ingeniously marshalling resources of both financial and managerial nature, from a complex set of sources, in order to mobilise and realise the opportunity.

• Entrepreneurial learning: motivation to acquire the necessary knowledge and expertise through relevant exploration and reflection, in order to excel.

• Innovation and creativity: renewal of products or services by adding value through application of expertise and imagination.

• Knowledge leadership: development of sources of management information to enable first mover capability, effective strategy formulation and implementation.

• Opportunity alertness: continuous focus on emerging trends and opportunities to be captured and realised.

• Relationship management: maintenance of effective teams, networks, and flexible management structures.

• Timing of action: acting within a limited window in which an opportunity can be optimised.

• Vision and strategic orientation: Formulation of ambitions, and strategies to realise them.

Example of entrepreneur in hospitality & tourism industry

• Yayasan Pembangunan Usahawan (YPU) Terengganu open a hotel name T-Hotel KUT at Kompleks Usahawan Terengganu (KUT) at Kampung Banggol Tuan Muda.

Knowledge, skills and aptitude needed to be successful as an entrepreneur in

tourism and hospitality.Small Business Owner/Operator

Tourism Small Business Owner/Operators are accountable for planning, decision-making and management of all aspects of the tourism business. An Owner/Operator must continuously review and update business plans, check budget figures, monitor accounting and cash control procedures and ensure the overall operation of the establishment is in line with predictions.

Responsibilities:• Meet and exceed guests' expectations.• Offer tourism information and promote local

area.• Use business management skills.• Use sales and marketing skills.• Complete financial management tasks.• Use administrative skills.• Respond to enquiries and solve problems.• Maintain facility, equipment and supplies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:• A secondary school diploma is required• A college diploma or degree in business, tourism, marketing or

management is useful• Training in both first aid and small business management is an asset• Previous experience in tourism is required• Excellent organizational skills• Sales and marketing skills are an asset• Customer service skills• Good communication skills• Administrative skills• Accounting and cash control skills• Leadership skills • Human resource management skills

• End of Chapter 6.• Any Questions??

REFLECTIVE JOURNAL

• Write a summary of Chapter 6 in mind mapping.

• Due date: 09/04/2012 (Monday) until 5.00pm.