Key to hotel career lies Down Under

Hotel management goes by many names. How it operates and what impact it leaves on the local economy vary from country to country but its importance is undeniable. It is the largest business activity in the world. A steady growth in this industry has made hospitality education a popular choice and Australia and New Zealand the popular places for it among Indian students.
Potential career opportunities make Down Under a glamorous destination for learners. Chandigarh-based foreign education consultant Punita Vadhera says: “There are numerous benefits of joining a course in hospitality management. Making billions of dollars in annual revenues worldwide, the industry offers the students a plenty of opportunities for career development. It is a dynamic and fast-growing industry, which promises many exciting challenges.”
Sumit Dua, a graduate in hotel management from Pacific International Hotel Management School of New Zealand, shares his experience of studying in Oz with TOI. He says: “There were many countries on my shortlist but I chose New Zealand for an international standard of education and a kind of exposure that helps you grow in this industry. My school seniors recommended it to me and I don’t regret taking their advice because New Zealand taught me so much indeed about this industry. In the final year of the course, I landed an internship with The Waterfront hotel as a chef.”
Jobs and growth
World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) wrote in its Global Impact Report 2017 that one in every 10 jobs worldwide falls under the umbrella of travel and tourism. Last year, the travel and tourism industry as a whole outperformed the global economy for the sixth year in a row. Over the next decade, travel and tourism is set to continue its rapid expansion, overtaking global economic sectors such as communications, manufacturing, retail and distribution, as well as financial and business services, and provide 23% of the jobs worldwide. It’s a promise of immense growth and professional opportunities for the course aspirants.
Another student, Ekamdeep, says: “There was a time when hardly anyone knew about this course and now it’s the most sought-after programmes. I completed my hotel management course from Australia and saw it open up many sectors for me to work in. Shortly after my internship, I got a job in a good Australian hotel and worked there for more than a year before returning to India.”
Career options
Based on the course the student takes, there are a range of work options—from specialty chefs and bartenders to front-office and beverage managers—while the possibilities within a top-ranking hotel itself are many. Most star-rated hotels have nearly 50 different job roles, from the humble doorkeeper and chauffeur on call to hotel manager. There’s a job profile for every qualification. A number of work options are also available aboard luxury-cruise ships and in the airline industry. With the tourism industry improving year-on-year, there will be no dearth of jobs and qualified personnel will always be in demand.
Course advantages
1. The chance to join a fast-growing industry | Even with the economic crisis that has impacted on many industries over the years, hospitality and tourism are amongst the fastest growing areas of employment in the world. Agency sources estimate that the number of people employed in the industry globally stands at over 100 million
2. Skilled hospitality professionals are rare | Despite the huge growth in the hospitality, leisure, recreation, and tourism industry, recent reports have highlighted a dearth of skilled professional for the various vacancies. If employers are struggling to find individuals with the necessary skills and education, what better way to impress them than with a relevant undergraduate qualification?
3. Travel opportunities | If you love travelling, the industry is the place for you. Whether you choose to work in hotels, events, attractions, or anywhere else in the sector, there will always be jobs
4. Transferable skills | Many courses, particularly those with a focus on management, will cover all the business skills. This knowledge can be used in careers far beyond those related to the degree, especially given the degree’s focus on service