Hospitality 2.0: Trends, Jobs, and Skills 2023
Hospitality 2.0: Trends, Jobs, and Skills in Canada [2023]
Chapter 01
What is Hospitality Management?
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Chapter 02
Top 5 Current Hospitality Industry Trends
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Chapter 03
Top 5 Hospitality Management Jobs 2021
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Chapter 04
5 Skills You Need to Find a Job in Hospitality
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Chapter 05
Hospitality management certifications
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Hospitality is pivotal to the success of businesses, and it’s not just about getting new clients, accommodating their requests and boasting positive reviews these days. COVID-19 hit the global hospitality sector hard. Hotels, restaurants, and fitness centers stood empty for months as the authorities were trying to contain the spread of coronavirus.
The world has changed drastically, as well as the expectations and behavior of people in it. As the hospitality industry was given the green light to reopen, it has become more important than ever to reimagine the customer experience and build trust. This requires an incredible amount of effort but also presents plenty of opportunities for aspiring job seekers and organizations to adapt and flourish again.
According to the Skilled Immigrant Infocenter, by 2028, over 106,000 jobs are projected to be opened in tourism in British Columbia, Canada. More than 215,000 new jobs will be created in the accommodation and food industries. The report states that more than 30% of all job openings, primarily in the hospitality, will be filled by newcomers to BC.
Image source: https://www.go2hr.ca/bc-tourism-industry
New immigrants to BC are projected to fill 30 percent of all job openings in the province by 2020.
There is light at the end of the tunnel! If you are reading this, it may mean you are interested in hospitality management and thinking if this is the right path for you, or perhaps looking for ways to advance your skills to meet the demands of the industry in 2021.
Is it worth it? Does it pay well? Do you have what it takes to get into this industry? Keep on reading, and you’ll get these, and more questions answered.
What is Hospitality Management?
To put it simply, hospitality management is supervising the daily operational, administrative, and commercial tasks of businesses like restaurants, hotels, resorts, stores, amusement parks etc. Be it a big hotel or a tiny restaurant, they still belong to the hospitality industry.
The job of those who work in hospitality is to ensure that their guests are taken care of and have a great experience.
The day of a hospitality manager is nothing like just a regular day. For example, a hotel or resort manager must supervise various departments, such as the front desk, housekeeping, spa and guest services, and make sure that everything runs smoothly. They often work odd hours and night shifts, too.
It may sound like a heavy burden to carry. No worries! Juggling multiple responsibilities successfully is a skill that can be acquired and honed over time. Plus, your professional team will be there to support your day-to-day operations.
According to Indeed, Vancouver, BC is the highest paying city in British Columbia for hotel managers with salaries ranging from over 45,000 CAD to the staggering 150,000 CAD per year. This is something worth the hassle.
What if I don’t want to be a hotel manager? The options are abundant in this industry. Being qualified in hotel management, you can work as a chef, a food and beverage manager, a catering manager, as well as in marketing, media, and financial roles. The world is your oyster!
The key is to set realistic customer expectations, and then not just meet them, but to exceed them – preferably in unexpected and helpful ways.
Sir Richard Branson
Founder of the Virgin Group, magnate, and investor
It may not be an easy job to meet, let alone exceed, expectations especially now, when all the services are remote. Many businesses found themselves being clueless about how to foster long-lasting relationships with their clients in the digital era. However, those businesses that went an extra mile to respond to change are the trendsetters.
Top 5 Current Hospitality Industry Trends
There is no doubt, that the pandemic has turned the world, and the hospitality industry in it, upside down. But, in retrospect, is it the first major disruption in hospitality? No, it’s not. And most probably, it’s not the last.
Does the industry have to adapt to the new environment? It does. It has no other choice but to embrace the change and evolve.
In a recent Forbes survey, respondents saw noticeable improvements coming in the hospitality management industry in the coming year. Let’s look at some major trends that are going to shape the hospitality industry in 2021!
1. Robust Sanitization and Cleanliness Measures
Sanitization will become the new benchmark for success in the hospitality industry. Safety is the main concern these days, and the cleaning that had been going on behind the scenes in hotels and restaurants, was brought to the center stage to make guests feel protected and willing to come back.
2. Technology as a Business Accelerator
It may seem that technology has been around for a while and it’s no big news. After all, we have been booking hotels and ordering take-outs for years now. It’s true, but it’s not enough to set up your company website and go from there. The companies will need to launch online communities to engage their customers and make them feel part of the brand.
3. New Ways to Do Business
Personalized experience and trust have become an absolute must these days, overtaking price and product in the quest for customer loyalty. Food and beverage companies are now going out of their way to come up with creative ideas, offering their clients everything and anything posh, from aromatic candles with their takeout meals to unexpected giveaways, while hotels are embracing everything local and reminding of home, as well as looking to offer alternative spaces for those who are tired of working from home.
Image source: deloitte.com/ca/en/pages/consumer-industrial-products/articles/future-of-hospitality.html
4. Talent Management and Retention
COVID-19 has forced employers to down the numbers of their staff to survive the storm. However, many businesses saw a sudden influx of customers and had to urgently hire more staff. With people trusting hotels more thanks to their strict sanitization policies, and restaurants opening its doors to customers throughout Canada, attracting and keeping the right talent has become the top item on the agenda for employers in the hospitality industry in 2021.
5. Sustainability and Green Business Models
It’s true that with the pandemic we started to look at the world through a different lens. Using old practices and focusing only on the commercial side of the business is no longer an option. Businesses need to take initiative and show that they care about the environment and local communities.
These trends clearly show that it’s the breaking dawn of the hospitality industry 2.0! By keeping up to date with the current trends, you are always ahead of the game.
Top 5 Hospitality Management Jobs 2023
Now that you know what hospitality management is, and learned about the current trends in the industry, you may be wondering what jobs are out there for you. Here are some of our top favorites.
# 1 Guest Services Agent
Guest services agents are the face of the company and are at the frontline dealing with guests’ requirements. They coordinate housekeeping, porters, transportation, and kitchen staff to make their guests’ stay great. Not all guest services agents have this exact title. There are a lot of alternative roles in the hospitality industry that have similar functions. Check out Indeed, get in touch with our co-op manager on corp.mgt@ciccc.ca or our international team to find out more about your options.
# 2 Public Relations Manager
Building relationships with customers and engaging them into an online community have become a priority for businesses. Projecting a positive image in the media can draw more customers to the brand and foster brand loyalty. Our Hospitality Management Diploma Program can equip you with the right skills and mindset needed to succeed in this career in Canada.
# 3 Spa and Wellness Manager
It may be surprising, but there is a growing demand for spa, fitness, and wellness services in Canada now. Just check Hospitalityjobs.ca to see the number of current openings! It is also very rewarding to oversee the leisure of your guests and make their stay memorable.
# 4 Sous Chef
Preparing and delivering food is so satisfying! Food and beverage sector is on the rise in Canada, with people looking for exquisite dishes and international specialties when choosing a restaurant. Helping the chef and showcasing your talent at the start, you can become a chef in the future and take full ownership of your kitchen. Cornerstone Hospitality Management Program features the whole module on food preparation and service to prepare you for this opportunity. Read more about this course on our website:
# 5 Catering Assistant
As a project manager, you will always be looking for ways to become more efficient in your job. There are some awesome tools out there that will help you manage your time, oversee tasks, and plan effectively. They look awesome too! Read on to discover some of our top favorites.
If you need some extra guidance and ideas about how to find a job in hospitality, check out Cornerstone College tips blog just about that:
7 skills you need to find a job in hospitality
Wow! There are so many opportunities to pursue and you may be thinking that you are biting off more than you can chew, and asking yourself “do I have what it takes to be successful in these roles?” So, let’s have a look at what skills employers in hospitality are looking for these days.
Having a master’s degree in hospitality management may not assist to get the following core skills to find a job in the hospitality industry in Canada
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Customer service skill
Good customer service is a foundation of a great customer satisfaction outcome. It means that sometimes you need to go the extra mile to exceed customers’ expectations. If you’re an intuitive person or have a high standard for service, you’ll naturally excel here, but do not worry – customer service skills can be learned and improved.
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Problem-Solving
Because of the nature of the work, hospitality service is dealing with customers’ needs and expectations. In some situations, problems will present themselves and you as a service provider need to be ready on your feet to solve any problems that arise. You will need to think quickly and act without hesitation.
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Communication and interpersonal skills
Working in a hospitality job requires both verbal and nonverbal communication skills as you will be communicating with customers as well as co-workers. Because most hospitality positions require regular interaction, you need to be able to communicate efficiently and effectively.
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Teamwork skills
Many hospitality positions require you to work in a team to serve customers. Having strong teamwork skills or the ability to work well with others will positively lead to effective teamwork which reflects in customers’ satisfaction.
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Flexibility
The hospitality industry operates in all seasons, especially on holidays when customers are traveling. Working long hours, night shifts and during holiday seasons, you will need to be flexible with your working hours and be able to adapt to this challenge.
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Attention to detail
Many successful hospitality staffs have this skill in common. The sharp eyes and the ability to notice the smallest details added to great service. It builds trust with your customers while showing them that you are attentive to them.
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Computer skills
The computer skills needed for hospitality jobs depend on the role. As international students, you need to build expertise in some new software or technologies commonly used in Canada. Front desk jobs require skill in Computer Reservation Systems (CRS) and waiters may need to be familiar with Point of Sale (POS) software. Finance jobs typically require proficiency in common accounting and budgeting software, in addition to Microsoft Office tools like Excel, Word, and Powerpoint.
Hospitality management certifications
It seems like you are now in the know about different aspects of the hospitality management career. Having a hospitality management diploma and getting certified can boost your chances of getting hired in the industry in Canada and top up your salary in the future.
One of the most well-known certification providers in the hospitality industry is probably the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) which offers 20-plus professional certification programs for all levels of the hospitality career. Its training products and materials have been translated into many languages, including Spanish and Chinese. When doing your Hospitality Management Diploma Program with Cornerstone College, you will have access to exceptional AHLEI resources, complete a unique AHLEI course every month and get awarded globally recognized certificates upon their successful completion. All included into your tuition fees!
A keystone certification you can’t go without in the hotel industry is Opera Property Management System (PMS), that has become a benchmark for managing hotels of different sizes and complexities. Cornerstone College has recently launched a one-day online training initiative in collaboration with Bliss Hospitality that offers the participants a chance to gain the important Opera PMS skillset and get awarded a certificate of achievement on the same day. It sounds like an amazing opportunity to update your resume with such a handsome accomplishment!
Learn more about Cornerstone College Opera PMS training
Follow our social media and news to stay tuned and learn about how to register for the upcoming Opera PMS workshop and get a 20 % discount with the promo code.
Certifications are a huge bonus, but it’s the experience that really matters. By doing our unique co-op diploma program, you can gain both academic qualifications and experience, which can differentiate you from your competitors on the Canadian market.
Start your hospitality management journey in Canada with our Hospitality Management Diploma Program. Contact Cornerstone International Team in Vancouver to learn more about it, or apply now!
Things to remember:
# It’s not business as usual anymore: the world has changed and the hospitality industry in it
# The hospitality industry has survived many storms and it is recovering swiftly now
# Building trust and finding the right talent are the major priorities for brands in 2023
# There is a myriad of jobs in the hospitality industry: the world is your oyster!
# You can work on your skills to improve them and get certified in a matter of one day if you want!
That’s it! You’re all set to start your hospitality management career! Contact us for more tips and support.
Written by Anastasiia Gladkovska & Aimwalee Hansen
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I think this blog is very useful for me to get some information about hospitality management which is a potential industry in the world. Also, I get some knowledges of hospitality management certification from this blog.
Thank you so much for your amazing feedback Sendy!
It was interesting to learn about hospitality management and how it is preparing to reopen after an event like the COVID 19 situation that has changed the world. Thank you for the information on skills, some popular jobs, trends in hospitality management, and required certifications that would bring more insight into this field.
We are glad that you liked the article, Marilin!
The world has changed drastically in 2020.All industry covered the effect. And we should change for idea and find out new ways t do business. I believe it’s important to Current hospitality industry trends for all industory and our new business.
Thank you so much, Aya!
For me was great tips for involving ours to getting immigration opportunities and travel there
Glad to hear that, Navid!
Nice blog. You have explained briefly about hospitality. Impresive
Thank you so much for your awesome feedback, Yugesh!
Excellent post, thanks a lot for sharing as it was helpful.
Always a pleasure Bright, we will try to have more updates regarding the hospitality management industry!
Hlw ,I need a little bit councelling.I want study hospitality management.what are the requirements from Nepal.
Hi Manisha, please follow the link to learn our requirements for Hospitality Management Diploma Program.