Students who are interested in the field of hotel management typically pursue a bachelor's degree in hotel management or hospitality management, according to DegreeDirectory.org. Hotel management training programs prepare students to fill supervisory roles. Hospitality management degree programs usually offer training in areas of the food services industry such as bar and beverage management and food safety as well, according to DiplomaGuide.com.
Associate degrees also are available and typically lead to assistant management or management positions. These two-year degrees provide for an easy transition into a four-year degree program. In addition, some hotel management degree programs are available online. Many high schools also offer a lodging management program created by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association. This two-year program leads to a "Certified Rooms Division Specialist" certification, which allows students to gain credit toward a postsecondary degree in hotel management.
The Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration gives accreditation to several hospitality programs. These training programs prepare students to be certified. Certification as a Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) or Certified Lodging Manager (CLM) is available through the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute. These are the most prestigious certifications for hotel general managers and hospitality executives, as well as managers at economy and limited-service operations. They require candidates to have managerial experience and pass examinations.
Classes in a hotel management training program include hotel operations, business finance, business statistics, hospitality services management, occupancy forecasting and conference/event planning. Other courses cover hospitality-related law, marketing, economics, food service management/catering, computer training and facilities maintenance. These programs hone students' strategic planning, problem solving, leadership and personnel relations skills. Programs also usually include an internship to give students hands-on experience. For example, students in Ferris State University's hotel management bachelor's degree program in Michigan can work with the university-owned Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center.
Individuals who have completed a hotel management training program can work for hotels, bed and breakfast inns, motels, clubs, casinos, travel agencies and conference or convention centers. They can become event planners, lodging managers, country club managers, sales managers, human resources directors in hotels, guest services representatives, purchasing agents, security directors or event coordinators.
Employment of lodging managers is projected to increase 5 percent from 2008 and 2018. Median annual wages of lodging managers in May 2008 were $45,800.