Hospitality Learning - Essay Example

Hospitality Learning Hospitality learning or management is relatively new as a field of business in the world. Withthe growth in the hospitality industry in the period between 1980s and 1990s, there was need for professionals specifically trained in this field who would propel the essence of hospitality - courteous treatment of people – to greater heights. With hotels being “home away from home,” then hotel management forms a critical component of the hospitality industry. Taking the course of Hotel Management has made me appreciate hospitality as an industry that has existed for a long time.

From the early days, medieval monasteries in Europe intellectually offered hospitality to travelers, especially pilgrims. The early inns in Europe were profit-making ventures that offered public rooms where merchants would sit to discuss their businesses. Apparently, the hospitality industry has followed travelers’ paths. In about year 1200, there arose inn-keeping that saw English restaurants considered as the finest globally during the industrial revolution. With the birth of the first class Termand house hotel in Boston in 1829, providing guestroom, lockable door and free soap, the modern hotel industry emerged.

By the 1950s, new concepts such as floatels, boatels and motels had been introduced. By 1960, a majority of hotel owners merged with large chains such as Hilton and franchising their hotels, making them larger. This marked the birth of the modern hotel industry across the world (Talwar, 22).At this point, it would be important to note the role that Hotel Management course plays in opening up one’s mind to appreciate that hospitality encompasses more than just hotels. Hospitality has been categorized into four segments: transportation, commercial recreation, food service and lodging.

Therefore, whereas travelers could use hotels for dining and accommodation, restaurants would provide meals only. Vacation ownership is another plan in the hospitality industry where customers buy a property, normally a residence at a resort and acquire the right of use for the lease period. Resorts are places meant for vacation, daytime getaway or relaxation and could offer live entertainment, cosmetic treatment, meals and massages. Another increasingly attractive field has been the cruise ship where passenger ships with amenities to serve leisure purposes are employed in leisure voyages with the various destinations along the way also being attractive.

Whatever the choice of hospitality, Hotel Management emphasizes on the importance of service quality as a critical factor in driving the business. Griznic (82) defines service quality as the approach in managing business processes so as to ensure customer’s total satisfaction at all levels. This causes increased effectiveness, flexibility and competitiveness of the business. Being a service sector, SERVices QUALity, SERVQUAL Model based on the way a client evaluates service quality has been widely adopted in the hotel industry.

Hotel Management provides a wholesome consideration of service management in the hospitality industry, be it with regard to human resources, facility management, training and education or event planning, as important arms of the industry.In summary therefore, Hotel Management has provided me with an opportunity to appreciate the hospitality industry from a wholesome perspective. It has given insights into the various opportunities that exist in the industry, changing my perception of hotels as the only source of employment in the industry.

Importantly, it has equipped me with appropriate knowledge for effective service delivery which serves as the nerve of the hospitality industry. Works CitedGrzinic, J. “Concepts of Service Quality Measurement in Hotel Industry.” Concepts of Service 1.3 (2007): 81 – 98.Talwar, P., ed. Hotel and Hospitality Management: Housekeeping. Delhi: Isha Books, 2006.