For as long as hotels have been around, there has been a need for managers to run them. Hospitality services training programs have existed since 1893, when the Lausanne Hotel School was founded in Switzerland when a boom in the Swiss tourism industry resulted in an unprecedented level of demand for hoteliers.
Hospitality students learn the ins and outs of the hotel and hospitality industries. From managing large and diverse staffs to providing the best possible experience for guests. Most programs also offer a variety of specialties within the discipline, allowing students to focus on everything from architecture, landscaping and interior design to hotel financing and investment.
Training for students comes in a variety of forms. For students who are simply seeking a customer service position, housekeeping job or food service career, low levels of training may be all that is needed. In this case, the employers often will offer hospitality services courses to enhance the expertise of their staff. For higher level management training, however, students generally will need to attend a hotel school that specializes in hotel and hospitality management.
Perhaps the most famous location for student training in hospitality services is the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, which boasts a rich cadre of high-performing alumni throughout the hospitality industry. The Cornell University School of Hotel Administration has one of the strongest reputations of any hotel school.
When trying to decide what type of hotel training is appropriate, students should factor in the potential costs of their education. While most high-level hotel management positions will require some form of direct educational experience, lower level management positions can be reached without too much formal training simply by virtue of hard work and responsibility.