CAREER PATHWAYS: Hospitality and Tourism

Jobs in the hospitality and tourism career cluster involve planning, managing, and providing lodging, food, recreation, conventions, and tourism, and related planning and support services such as travel-related services.

There are thousands of challenging educational and training opportunities within the high-skilled world of Hospitality and Tourism. Learners need a solid background in math, science, and technical skills. Education and training can be obtained in high schools, technical colleges, two-year community colleges, four-year colleges, apprenticeship programs and career technical schools/institutes.

The Hospitality and Tourism Cluster prepares learners for careers in the management, marketing and operations of restaurants and other food services, lodging, attractions, recreational events and travel-related services. Hospitality operations are located in communities throughout the world.

Travel and tourism is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the world. Each year, travel and tourism employers around the globe pay more than $1.6 trillion in wages and salaries and create 12.5 million new jobs. This industry is known for promoting within and for its large number of young managers. (Source)

This career cluster is divided into five pathways:

• Restaurants and Food/ Beverage Services
• Lodging
• Travel and Tourism
• Recreation, Amusement, and Attractions

Restaurants and Food/ Beverage Services

Employees working in the Restaurants and Food/Beverage Services pathway perform a variety of tasks to maintain operations and promote guest services in eating and drinking establishments.

Training for chefs has changed radically in the past 10 years as chefs continue to assume greater leadership and managerial roles in the industry. (Source)

Sample occupations include:

• General Manager
• Food and Beverage Manager
• Catering and Banquets Manager
• Maitre d’ (Head Waiter)
• Restaurant Owner
• Executive Chef
• Pastry and Specialty Chef
• Cook
• Bartender and Server
• Banquet Setup Employee
• Room Service Attendant
• Wine Steward

Lodging

Employees working in the Lodging pathway perform tasks related to the operation of lodging facilities and the care of guests who use these facilities, either through direct guest contact or the provision of background services that enhance the guest experience. (Source)

Sample occupations include:

• General Manager
• Front Office Manager
• Executive Housekeeper
• Director of Sales and Marketing
• Director of Operations
• Rooms Division Manager
• Front Desk Supervisor
• Reservations Supervisor
• Bell Captain
• Sales Professional
• Reservationist
• Guestroom Attendant

Travel and Tourism

Employees in the Travel and Tourism pathway focus on the development, research, packaging, promotion, and delivery of a traveler’s experiences. There is a broad range of jobs in this pathway. Employees may be involved in developing a heritage area for the enjoyment and education of visitors, creating guide books, planning trips and events, managing a customer’s travel plans or overseeing a huge urban convention center.  (Source)

Sample occupations include:

• Event Planner
• Convention Services Manager
• Destination Manager
• Heritage Tourism Developer
• Interpreter
• Meeting Planner
• Tour Guide
• Tour Operator
• Travel Agent
• Tour and Ticket Reservationist
• Tourism Marketing Specialist
• Welcome Center Supervisor

Recreation, Amusements and Attractions

Employees looking for exciting and diverse work situations are best suited for the Recreation, Amusements and Attractions pathway. The work is often demanding but never boring. Good customer service skills are essential for success. Employees must also understand what makes each operation unique. Technical skills are location-specific, and training is handled on the job. (Source)

Sample occupations include:

• Club Manager
• Club Event Planner
• Club Membership Developer
• Parks and Garden Developer
• Resort Instructor
• Gaming and Casino Supervisor
• Fairs/Festival Event Planner
• Fairs/Festival Promotional Developer
• Theme Parks/Amusement Parks Area Retail Manager
• Theme Parks/Amusement Parks Area Ride Operations Manager
• Museums/Zoos/Aquariums Docent
• Museums/Zoos/Aquariums Exhibit Developer