The hospitality industry is very vast offering several career opportunities to an individual one of them being a general hotel manager. A hotel general manager’s responsibilities include ensuring that the daily operations of a hotel never cease, but instead remain in line with the hotel's missions and vision. Becoming a hotel general manager is not a simple feat to achieve since it takes time to develop management skills and become the best in the industry. In addition to having a concrete background in this industry’s management services, one must be equipped with a hospitality industry related degree. Being a hotel general manager is very beneficial simply because its benefits, especially for those working in major (5-star) and highly recognized hotels, are very exceptional. For instance, maternity and sick leaves are generous, and travel rates are sharply discounted among others (Manager Skills, 2019). In addition, general hotel managers are paid decently.
The work of a hotel general manager is to oversee all the operations which are involved in the daily operations and running of the hotel institution or a lodging facility for example resorts and motels. A hotel general manager has the duty to make certain that all the staff members are well organized. In addition, they ensure that every single fragment of a hotel or lodging facility runs as per the pre-established excellence standard of service. Also, as a hotel general manager, other duties include supervising employees as well as giving directions on how daily operations would be carried out. General Managers also look into the housekeeping, human resources, financial management as well as customer service. Hotel general managers have the power to award employees who are deserving by promoting them to a higher rank or even suspend and demote those employees who are not giving in their required level of effort. What is more, general hotel managers are required to take part in and preserve active relations within the community in addition to partaking in meetings, sales and other related activities (Nuevoo, 2017). The hotel general manager also introduces solutions which are highly innovative to constantly upgrade hotel services to the guests and has the overall responsibility of the hotel's profits and losses. Furthermore, the hotel general manager also takes the responsibility of planning, decision making, delegating, staffing, coordinating and organizing to attain the most desirable results to build the hotel further (FASSCO Catering Services LLC, n.d). All the same, some facilities may have the general manager do catering, special events, and restaurant operations among other managing services. In general, hotel general managers are responsible for stock monitoring and control, safety and health, people management, organizing and planning, finance management, creating rapport with the guests and customer satisfaction.
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In order to work as a general hotel manager, it is required that an individual has to meet several qualifications. These minimum requirements give a person a chance of becoming a hotel general manager. The requirements of becoming a hotel general manager include a university diploma or degree in hotel management or a related field, an up to date certificate in first aid as well as an advanced certificate in food hygiene. In most cases, a lot of full range service hotel usually prefer hiring candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in hotel or hospitality management. Candidates who have a certificate or an associate’s degree in hospitality, restaurant or hotel management may successfully get a job in the lodging facility as a manager, in most cases, these are the facilities which offer few services (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018). Individuals who have work experience in the related field may have an added advantage. The best thing in this career is that the employees who have or show potential in leadership in addition to having several years’ associated work experience in the hotel industry may get the positions of assistant manager (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018). High school students who have the interest of becoming hotel general managers may enroll for a course “in the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program (HTMP)” offered by a recognized higher learning institution center for a two-year program which teaches principles of management which would help in further growth and development in the industry and eventually become hotel managers in future. Also, students who are working professionals and in college may obtain a “Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA) through AHLEI” which may lead to further growth in the industry thus succeeding in the general manager career (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018). Hotel general managers have an opportunity to advance thus grow more competent in their daily management duties. Having successfully advanced would help a general manager to grow and become regional managers if the hotel owning them has several branches. Because the hotel general managers tend to interact with customers from diverse backgrounds on a daily basis and numerous times in a day there is need to develop more education wise, have exceptional customer relational, interpersonal and service skills. Some hotels like Hilton may offer their employees, including the general managers an opportunity to further their education and horn their skills more.
Hotel general managers may have opportunities to work in big and luxurious hotels like Hilton. Hilton is no doubt one of the top international companies in the hospitality industry covering the luxurious lodging sector, full-service luxurious hotels as well as resorts. Hilton hotel would offer the best opportunity and environment to work as a hotel general manager. Considering their resilience as well as their international and most recognized brand, as a hotel general manager, all efforts would be geared in giving the best in line with their mission and vision. Hilton hotel has many branches spreading across the global map serving over 120 million guests annually (Hilton Worldwide, 2013). Hilton’s mission is “To be the preeminent global hospitality company – the first choice of guests, Team Members, and owners alike.” The vision on the hand is “To fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality” (Hilton Worldwide, 2013). The name HILTON stands for H-Hospitality, I-Integrity, L-Leadership, T-Teamwork, O-Ownership, N-Now (Hilton Worldwide, 2013). Starting in the 20th century, Hilton grew to become the biggest and number one company in the hospitality industry. Some of its key strategic priorities include aligning the organization and culture, expand and strengthen their commercial and brands services platform, maximize performance throughout the enterprise, and expand their worldwide footprint (Hilton Worldwide, 2013).
As much as a career in hotel general manager is promising, it has several advantages and disadvantages. For instance, hotels give great bonuses and benefits to its general managers, the bonuses or benefits may come in the form of free retirement plans, vacations, and company cars among others. Another thing is that general hotel managers have the opportunity to choose where they work and can even get the opportunity to work internationally. Another advantage is that hotel general managers have been given authority and therefore have the power within and about the hotel and therefore make rules which would favor further growth of the hotel. Also, a hotel general manager is exposed to a great deal of diverse experience in their daily work and also gives room for a lot of interactions. The salary earned by a hotel general manager is very handsome. For instance, the entry-level general manager position pays an individual up to $59,000; most experienced workers may get paid amounts of over $100,000 (Nuevoo, 2017). Some of its disadvantages are that as hotel general managers there are no holidays, since they must work even during the holidays. Another thing is that it might be stressful, especially when dealing with angry and stubborn employees and customers. Hotel general managers, have power over the hotel or lodging facility. They take responsibility for all that happens in the hotel including shouldering damages, blames and other numerous liabilities. They also ensure more pressure to get things in line and get the best possible results (White, 2019).
The hospitality industry is very vast offering several career opportunities to an individual one of them being a general hotel manager. A hotel general manager has several responsibilities to ensure that the daily operations of a hotel never cease, but remain in line with the hotels’ missions and vision. Being a hotel general manager allows individuals to choose their area of work, for instance, one can choose their area (environment) where they work best, i.e. a work environment which is slow or first-paced. Depending on their suitable area of work, for instance, if it is slow-paced, then an individual can consider a local or home area hotel. If it is first paced, then a 5-star hotel can be considered. There are many benefits which come with being a general hotel manager and this would be perfect considering the hotel and area of work. General hotel management is a perfect career to pursue in the hospitality industry not just because of the benefits that it would give but also the general fun and exposure that would come with pursuing this career. Becoming a hotel general manager would be significant as it would provide more opportunities to grow, socialize a lot with customers (people) from numerous diversities. Also, the decent salary would help in building oneself life and family as well.
References
Manager Skills. (2019). 10 Benefits of Managing a Hotel. Manager Skills . Retrieved from https://www.managerskills.org/hotel/benefits/
Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor. (2018, September 4) Occupational Outlook Handbook : Lodging Managers. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/lodging-managers.htm
Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor. (2018, September 4) Occupational Outlook Handbook : Lodging Managers. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/lodging-managers.htm#tab-4
FASSCO Catering Services LLC. (n.d). Job Description – General Manager . Retrieved from http://www.destination10.com/er-genmgr1.pdf
Hilton Worldwide. (2013). About Hilton Worldwide . Retrieved from https://ir.hilton.com/~/media/Files/H/Hilton-Worldwide-IR-V3/annual-report/Hilton_2013_AR.pdf
Nuevoo. (2017). What does a Hotel General Manager do? Retrieved from https://neuvoo.ca/neuvooPedia/en/hotel-general-manager/
White, A. (2019). Pros and cons of manager jobs. Snag . Retrieved from https://www.snagajob.com/resources/pros-and-cons-of-manager-jobs/
