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What are the Main Specialization Areas in Hospitality Management?

Quick Highlights:

  • Choose a hospitality management specialization based on your career goals and interests.
  • Popular specializations include hotel management, event management, and tourism management.
  • The global hospitality industry offers many job opportunities and strong job security.
  • Emerging trends in hospitality include renewable energy, workforce tech, and personalized guest experiences.
  • Research programs, financial aid, and ROI before applying to hospitality management schools.

Table of contents

Choosing a specialization in hospitality management is important for your future career. Whether you’re interested in hotel management, event planning, or tourism, there are many options in this field. The hospitality industry is big and offers lots of job opportunities. In this article, you’ll learn about the different specializations, the latest trends, and how to pick the best degree program for your goals.

Related:

Why Specialize in Hospitality Management?

Currently, the global hospitality industry is worth almost $4.7 trillion according to reportlinker.com. Because of this, you’ll never have to struggle with job security in this industry. There are plenty of job prospects and opportunities for targeted skill development.  

While there are entry-level hospitality industry careers you can find, the best careers tend to involve some kind of advanced hospitality management degree. If you already work in the industry, you may even be able to talk to your employer about hospitality management training or employer reimbursements for hospitality management courses.   

If you are completely new to the field, you may want to think about how careers in hospitality management align with your specific goals. For instance, a student who is passionate about traveling the world may love getting a tourism management degree. If you care about the subject you’re studying, you’ll have an easier time learning the subject and motivating yourself to go to work each day.   

Main Specialization Areas in Hospitality Management

There are many different hospitality management specializations you can pursue, and each one leads to a different career. The following list of the best hospitality specializations are some of the most popular options, so you’ll have an easier time finding them at online and in-person colleges.  

Event Management 

Someone who is in charge of event management typically handles the planning, budgeting, and marketing for major events. They may work in:

  • corporate settings
  • private events
  • public gatherings

Other than handling the event’s budgeting, they are also in charge of the event staff and logistics. 

By pursuing a degree in event management, you can prepare yourself for a potentially lucrative career field. The average event manager in the United States makes $62,370 per year according to Indeed. 

Hotel Management 

Some of the top career opportunities in hospitality are in hotel management. In this role, you are in charge of:

  • hiring new employees
  • managing team members
  • maintaining the hotel’s budget

You are in charge of making sure that each customer is completely satisfied. 

As a hotel manager, you may work in a luxury, boutique, or chain hotel. Because of this, your salary level can vary significantly. On average, hotel managers make $62,561 per year according to Indeed.     

Food and Beverage Management

Once you have completed your hospitality management degree, you can get a job in food and beverage management. A food and beverage manager is normally in charge of overseeing the food and beverage operations at some type of hospitality location. For example, they may work in:

  • catering
  • restaurant operations
  • hotel dining services

Other than managing operations, the food and beverage manager is responsible for making sure that each guest receives excellent service. Currently, the average food and beverage manager earns $61,556 per year according to Indeed.  

Tourism Management

Another one of the best hospitality management specializations is tourism management. In this job title, you are responsible for managing and promoting different tourist destinations. You may work in:

  • luxury travel
  • cultural tourism
  • eco-tourism

After you have developed your hospitality management skills, you can typically earn more than entry-level employees. Typically, the average person earns $86,279 according to salary.com. 

One of the advantages of going to college for a hospitality management degree is that you can learn about the latest industry trends. For example, your hospitality management education may focus on digital marketing and sustainable hospitality. 

While the following trends are popular subjects in hospitality and hotel management courses, each school covers different topics. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the latest trends in this degree field. 

Renewable Energy: Renewable energy and sustainability are growing trends in the hospitality sector. From adding solar panels to recycling greywater, there are many new programs that hospitality groups are adopting. 

Updated Drinks: Now that we’re moving past the microbrewery trend, the new fad is having updated drink menus with customized beverages. 

Workforce Tech: If you’re pursuing tourism and event management careers, you should learn more about the latest tech for managing your workforce. There are now payroll apps where employees can clock in, look at their pay stubs, and go through the onboarding process. 

Apps: Whether you are studying food and beverage management or a basic hospitality management degree, you’ll likely use apps in your company’s day-to-day operations. For example, Hilton uses an app with guests that lets them check in to their room, book their next stay, and pay for their room without ever having to talk to someone at the front desk.

Personalization: Along with apps, technology is making an entirely new level of personalization possible. From greeting guests in their rooms to recommending specific menu items that they might like, there are many different ways you can customize your offerings to match each person’s unique tastes.

Choosing the Right Specialization    

If you aren’t sure about getting a hospitality management degree, you can start by trying some of the most popular hospitality courses. By testing out different classes, you can figure out which areas of hospitality interest you the most. 

Additionally, you should think about how different specializations match your unique interests and strengths. Once you find a career field you are interested in, you should research prospective jobs and see what the job prospects look like. You’ll likely have to invest some of your own resources into going to school, so you need to make sure the degree will have a good return on investment (ROI). 

Before applying to college, check to see if they specialize in the topic you want to pursue. You may also want to see if they offer online, in-person, or hybrid courses. In addition, you ask about what type of financial aid is available and the school’s tuition costs. 

Learn More About Getting a Hospitality Management Degree 

There are many different hospitality management specializations available. From food and beverage management to event management careers, you can find many different career paths in this industry. 

The most important thing is to take hospitality and hotel management courses that align with your career goals, personal passion, and salary needs. Additionally, your hospitality management degree should offer a strong ROI so that you can recuperate the time and money you’ve invested in getting your education.   

If you’re interested in obtaining a hospitality management degree, reach out to educational institutions that offer the right specializations for your career goals. You can also talk to academic counselors and professionals in your industry to get additional insights and advice about the best education for your future.