As the expectations of business travelers and tourists have expanded to include everything from fine dining to child care and laundry services, a new type of professional has emerged to manage the growing range of amenities offered by hotels, resorts, and food service institutions.

Today, thousands of hospitality and tourism professionals are employed in this industry to coordinate the day-to-day operations of front offices, kitchens, and dining rooms, and departments such as housekeeping, accounting, and purchasing. Their leadership and management skills, combined with a strong commitment to customer service, are vital in keeping these establishments profitable and efficient while ensuring that guests experience all the comforts of home away from home.

Employment growth in the hospitality and tourism industry varies according to individual career. Restaurant owners, for example, are projected to enjoy a faster than average rate of growth, while hotel and resort managers are likely to experience slower than average growth.

Location also plays a large role in determining the number of job opportunities. New hotels, resorts, and restaurants are more likely to spring up in popular vacation areas or near major airports and interstate systems than in areas which attract fewer business travelers and tourists.

Professionals in this industry must be strong leaders who are decisive, self-disciplined, and able to direct the work of others. They must also be team players who get along with many types of people and are able to communicate effectively with customers, staff members, and suppliers. Enthusiasm and multi-tasking ability will contribute to the enjoyment of this career.

The working conditions of these professionals range from comfortable offices to hot kitchens and laundry rooms. However, what they all have in common are long hours and frequent stress. Most hospitality and tourism professionals work more than 40 hours a week and coordinate a wide variety of functions. They also deal with problems of every kind and must satisfy customers from all walks of life.

Because a hotel or restaurant’s success greatly depends on a manager’s ability to find, attract, and retain quality support staff, these individuals are under great pressure to find competent help in a tight labor market. Dealing with uncooperative employees and filling in for absent workers are common for professionals in this industry.