Hotel industry is a closely linked one to the tourism industry.A number of factors like promotion of tourism and rapid industrial progress along with the liberalization of trade and opening up of economy have given a boost to hoteliering. Globalization has opened avenues in the international market also. Need for well trained quality personnel too have grown impressively in this sector. Hotel industry involves combination of various skills like management, food and beverage service, housekeeping, front office operation, sales and marketing, accounting.Today, the rise in corporate activity (leading to greater number of business trips) as well as the wish to travel on holiday has made the hotel industry a very competitive one. The hotel industry promises a bright future for anyone who wishes to take up a career in this segment. In short the hospitality industry is inextricably linked with overall economic prosperity and resourcefulness of any country.

Trade and commerce would be unable to thrive were there not adequate facilities and provisions for the overseas traders and business people. Hotel management demands a friendly, helpful, outgoing personality, ability to take responsibility and to work well with others. Interest in people of all backgrounds, creativity, flair, tact, a methodical approach, organizing and administrative ability, a certain amount of manual dexterity and visual imagination, physical stamina and good health to withstand irregular hours of work are equally important traits. If one possesses the above qualities then there is no stopping for success in this field. One can enter this field by direct entry or through hotel management institutes. For direct entry the vacancies are generally advertised in the newspapers and the minimum prescribed qualification is graduation with 50% marks. They are trained by the hotels themselves. But qualified personnels are always given a higher preference. Any graduate preferably from commerce field can apply for the course in hotel management although minimum qualification of 10+2 is also considerable. Hotel Management courses are usually of three-year duration leading to the grant of a diploma / degree but some degree courses are also of four years duration. Courses in Hotel Management include BHM - Bachelor of Hotel Management, DHM - Diploma in Hotel Management, BHMCT - Bachelor of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, DHMCT - Diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology, PGDHM - Post Graduate Diploma in Hotel Management. Duration of certificate courses is six months to one year. Bachelor and diploma courses are of duration one and half to three years. Selection to most institutes is based on common entrance test. Test consists of English, Reasoning, General Science and General Knowledge. The test is followed by a group discussion and interview, in which a person's personality and confidence is seen. Course areas include food processing, Food and beverages service, Accommodation operation or front office, hotel accountancy, Business communication, French language, hotel engineering, computer, nutrition and food service, Hotel laws, Principles of management, sales and marketing management, Human resource management. These hotel management courses make one aware of the operating-sections of the hotel industry like front office, general operations, sales and marketing, food and beverage, service keeping and catering. Hotel Management courses at all institutes offer a blend of theoretical and practical training. Students are given hands-on training in running of a hotel so that they can apply their theoretical learning to real-life situations and learn how to improve adapting.

Hotel management job opportunities exists both in the private and public sector. lucrative and interesting openings are there for hotel management graduates in various fields like: Hotel & Restaurant management, Airline Catering and Cabin Services, Club management, Cruise Ship Hotel Management, Hospital administration and catering, Hotel and Tourism Associations, Forest Lodges, Guest Houses, Institutional Management (supervising canteens in college, schools, in factories, company guest houses etc.), Catering departments of railways, banks, armed forces, shipping companies etc. Students graduating from established institutes of hotel management can join the railways, airlines, shipping lines in their catering services, or the defence sector. one may also opt for self employment. Post graduates in this field can take up teaching jobs.In a hotel one may work in departments like Operations, Front office, House keeping, Food and Beverages, Accounting, Engineering/ Maintenance, Sales and Security. After completing the diploma or the bachelor's course, a graduate is usually taken as a trainee. After successful completion of training, they may be absorbed in positions with salaries range between 400-2000$ per month . The emoluments vary between the different organizations which employ them depending upon factors such as the category of employing hotel, institute from where the student graduated, city of location, etc.