The super-sector of travel, tourism and business accommodation is among the largest in the world. Professionals in the hospitality industry care for and serve their fellow human beings every day while getting perks such as free travel and the chance to meet all kinds of interesting people and hear about their adventures. As a skilled hospitality manager in businesses such as hotels, restaurants and casinos, you will do the work of customer service in-person and will also have great opportunities to come out on top of the corporate dog pile. The best way to start out is to genuinely enjoy people and enjoy caring for them. Next, enrolling in the appropriate classes and programs can give you a big boost in finding both money and fulfillment in your chosen art of hospitality.

To qualify for management in the hospitality industry, accreditation in the form of a formal degree in business or hospitality management is usually required. Online hospitality management degrees are available for programs that offer associate, bachelor and master-level degrees, and some hotel management classes can be found at inexpensive vocational schools. Brick-and-mortar schools in traditional university settings also offer associate, bachelor and master-level programs as well as certifications and academic minors in areas like event planning or marine tourism. These classes usually take place within business schools, many of which offer academic minors in hospitality. At the best hotel management colleges, hospitality students work directly with industry pros as part of their training. Some even require students to budget thousands of dollars each semester for travel expenses.

If you are skilled in reading people quickly and in anticipating their needs, and if you can motivate a team of employees to do the same, we recommend a career in hospitality management.  To succeed, you will need a fair measure for employees and guests. You will also need to remain upbeat at all times while at work, or at least pretend you’re upbeat, so you won’t spoil anyone’s long-awaited vacation or special night out.

The highest-paid positions in hospitality are at the top rungs of major global corporations such as The Ritz-Carlton and Hilton Hotels. Students trained in the skill of providing clean, comfortable and inviting accommodations for travelers can also look into franchising a hotel or motel as part of a chain. Others can focus on event and banquet planning or managing all the aspects of a five star restaurant. In fact, the opportunities are so wide-ranging, they are impossible to list. If none of the above sounds like the life you want for yourself, you could consider buying a neighborhood diner or a charming bed and breakfast business in the country.

An associate’s degree is the first academic step toward a hospitality career, but may not qualify you for even mid-level management. However, we recommend that you find work in the industry as you study to gain much-needed experience. A bachelor’s degree is the industry standard for hospitality management – either that or years of business and management experience are required for most job applications. A master’s degree is regarded as the expert level of hospitality knowledge. Armed with about six years of dedicated coursework, either in classrooms or online, you will easily qualify for the upper rungs of power in your company.

In the business of travel, food and tourism, the cliché that the customer is always right is spot-on. The best workers in the sector think of themselves as ladies and gentlemen and are expected to treat every guest that way as well. Hospitality is the most personal and sincerest form of customer service, and one that will ask all you have to give. But if you love people, luxury and travel, you can profit in the field both fiscally and emotionally. But be aware – the best part of working in a hotel or restaurant could very likely be the stories you’ll get to tell to your grandkids.