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256
Hotel Managers and Assistants

(D.O.T.  187.117-038, .137-018; .167-046, -078, -106, -122; and 320)

Nature of the Work

For vacationing families and persons whose jobs take them out of
town, a comfortable room, good food, and a helpful hotel staff can
make being away from home an enjoyable experience.  Hotel managers
and assistant managers work to insure that guests' visits are
pleasant.

   Hotel managers are responsible for the efficient and profitable
operation of their establishments.  In a small hotel, motel, or inn
with a limited staff, a single manager may direct all aspects of
operations.  However, large hotels may employ hundreds of workers,
and the manager may be aided by a number of assistant managers
assigned among departments responsible for various aspects of
operations.  The general manager has overall responsibility for the
operation of the hotel.  Within guidelines established by the owners
of the hotel or executives of the hotel chain, the general manager
sets room rates, allocates funds to departments, approves
expenditures, and establishes standards for service to guests,
decor, housekeeping, food quality, and banquet operations.  (For
more information, see the statement on general managers and top
executives elsewhere in the Handbook.) Assistant managers must
insure that the day-to-day operations of their departments meet the
general manager's standards.

   Resident managers live in hotels and are on call 24 hours a day to
resolve any problems or emergencies, although they normally work an
8-hour day.  As the most senior assistant manager, a resident
manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the hotel.  In many
hotels, the general manager also serves as the resident manager.

   Executive housekeepers are responsible for insuring that guest
rooms, meeting and banquet rooms, and public areas are clean,
orderly, and well maintained.  They train, schedule, and supervise
the work of housekeepers, inspect rooms, and order cleaning
supplies.

   Front office managers coordinate reservations and room assignments
and train and direct the hotel's front desk staff that deals with
the public.  They insure that guests are handled courteously and
efficiently, complaints and problems are resolved, and requests for
special services are carried out.

   Food and beverage managers direct the food services of hotels.  They
oversee the operation of hotels' restaurants, cocktail lounges, and
banquet facilities.  They supervise and schedule food and beverage
preparation and service workers, plan menus, estimate costs, and
deal with food suppliers.  (For more information, see the statement
on restaurant and food service managers elsewhere in the Handbook.)

   Convention services managers coordinate the activities of large
hotels' various departments for meetings, conventions, and other
special events.  They meet with representatives of groups or
organizations to plan the number of rooms to reserve, the desired
configuration of hotel meeting space, and any banquet services
needed.  During the meeting or event, they resolve unexpected
problems and monitor activities to check that hotel operations
conform to the expectations of the group.

   Other assistant managers may be specialists responsible for
activities such as personnel, accounting and office administration,
marketing and sales, purchasing, security, maintenance, and
recreational facilities.  (For more information, see the related
statements on personnel, training, and labor relations specialists
and managers; financial managers; and marketing, advertising, and
public relations managers elsewhere in the Handbook.) Managers who
work for chains may be assigned to organize and staff a newly built
hotel, refurbish an older hotel, or reorganize a hotel or motel that
is not operating successfully.

   Front office managers coordinate reservations and room assignments.

Working Conditions

Since hotels are open around the clock, night and weekend work is
common.  Many hotel managers work considerably more than 40 hours
per week.  Managers who live in the hotel usually have regular work
schedules, but they may be called for work at any time.  Some
employees of resort hotels are managers during the busy season and
have other duties the rest of the year.

   Hotel managers sometimes experience the pressures of coordinating a
wide range of functions.  Conventions and large groups of tourists
may present unusual problems.  Dealing with irate patrons can also
be stressful.  The job can be particularly hectic for front office
managers around checkin and checkout time.

Employment

Hotel managers and assistant managers held about 99,000 wage and
salary jobs in 1992.  An additional number primarily owners of small
hotels and motels were self-employed.  Others were employed by
companies that manage hotels and motels under contract.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Postsecondary training in hotel or restaurant management is
preferred for most hotel management positions, although a college
liberal arts degree may be sufficient when coupled with related
hotel experience.  In the past, most managers were promoted from the
ranks of front desk clerks, housekeepers, waiters and chefs, and
hotel sales workers.  Although some persons still advance to hotel
management positions without the benefit of education or training
beyond high school, postsecondary education is increasingly
preferred.  Nevertheless, experience working in a hotel even part
time while in school is an asset to all persons seeking to enter
hotel management careers.  Restaurant management training or
experience is also a good background for entering hotel management
because the success of a hotel's food service and beverage
operations is often of great importance to the profitability of the
entire establishment.

   A bachelor's degree in hotel and restaurant administration provides
particularly strong preparation for a career in hotel management.
In 1993, over 160 colleges and universities offered bachelor's and
graduate programs in this field.  Over 800 community and junior
colleges, technical institutes, vocational and trade schools, and
other academic institutions also have programs leading to an
associate degree or other formal recognition in hotel or restaurant
management.  Graduates of hotel or restaurant management programs
usually start as trainee assistant managers, or at least advance to
such positions more quickly.

   Hotel management programs usually include instruction in hotel
administration, accounting, economics, marketing, housekeeping, food
service management and catering, hotel maintenance engineering, and
data processing reflecting the widespread use of computers in hotel
operations such as reservations, accounting, and housekeeping
management.  Programs encourage part-time or summer work in hotels
and restaurants because the experience gained and the contacts made
with employers may benefit students when they seek full-time
employment after graduation.

   Hotel managers must be able to get along with all kinds of people,
even in stressful situations.  They need initiative,
self-discipline, and the ability to organize and direct the work of
others.  They must be able to solve problems and concentrate on
details.

   Sometimes large hotels sponsor specialized on-the-job management
training programs which enable trainees to rotate among various
departments and gain a thorough knowledge of the hotel's operation.
Other hotels may help finance the necessary training in hotel
management for outstanding employees.

   Most hotels promote employees who have proven their ability.  Newly
built hotels, particularly those without well-established on-the-job
training programs, often prefer experienced personnel for managerial
positions.  Large hotel and motel chains may offer better
opportunities for advancement than small, independently owned
establishments, but relocation every several years often is
necessary for advancement.  The large chains have more extensive
career ladder programs and offer managers the opportunity to
transfer to another hotel or motel in the chain or to the central
office if an opening occurs.  Career advancement can be accelerated
by completion of certification programs offered by the associations
listed below.  These programs generally require a combination of
course work, examinations, and experience.

Job Outlook

   Employment of salaried hotel managers is expected to grow about as
fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005 as
more hotels and motels are built.  Business travel will continue to
grow, and increased domestic and foreign tourism will also create
demand for additional hotels and motels.  However, manager jobs are
expected to grow more slowly than the hotel industry because a
growing share of the industry will be comprised of economy
properties, which generally have fewer managers than full-service
hotels.  In the face of financial constraints, guests are becoming
more bargain-conscious, and hotel chains are increasing the number
of rooms in economy class hotels.  Economy hotels offer clean,
comfortable rooms and front desk services without costly extras like
restaurants and room service.  Because there are not as many
departments in each hotel, fewer managers are needed on the hotel
premises.  Economy hotels have a general manager, and regional
offices of the hotel management company employ department managers,
such as executive housekeepers, to oversee several hotels.

   Although new employment growth is expected to be concentrated in
economy hotels, large full-service hotels will continue to offer
many trainee and managerial opportunities.  Most openings are
expected to occur as experienced managers transfer to other
occupations, retire, or stop working for other reasons.

   Opportunities to enter hotel management are expected to be good for
persons who have college degrees in hotel or restaurant management.

Earnings

Salaries of hotel managers varied greatly according to their
responsibilities and the size of the hotel in which they worked.  In
1993, annual salaries of assistant hotel managers averaged an
estimated $32,500, based on a survey conducted for the American
Hotel and Motel Association.  Assistants employed in large hotels
with over 350 rooms averaged nearly $38,400 in 1993, while those in
small hotels with no more than 150 rooms averaged more than $26,000.
Salaries of assistant managers also varied because of differences in
duties and responsibilities.  For example, food and beverage
managers averaged an estimated more than $41,200, according to the
same survey, whereas front office managers averaged nearly $26,500.
The manager's level of experience is also an important factor.

   In 1993, salaries of general managers averaged more than $59,100,
ranging from an average of about $44,900 in hotels and motels with
no more than 150 rooms to an average of about $86,700 in large
hotels with over 350 rooms.  Managers may earn bonuses ranging up to
15 percent of their basic salary in some hotels.  In addition, they
and their families may be furnished with lodging, meals, parking,
laundry, and other services.

   Most managers and assistants receive 3 to 11 paid holidays a year,
paid vacation, sick leave, life insurance, medical benefits, and
pension plans.  Some hotels offer profit-sharing plans, educational
assistance, and other benefits to their employees.

Related Occupations

Hotel managers and assistants are not the only workers concerned
with organizing and directing a business in which pleasing people is
very important.  Others with similar responsibilities include
restaurant managers, apartment building managers, retail store
managers, and office managers.

Sources of Additional Information

   For information on careers and scholarships in hotel management,
contact:

   The American Hotel and Motel Association (AH&MA), Information
Center, 1201 New York Ave.  NW., Washington, DC 20005-3931.

   For information on educational programs, including correspondence
courses, in hotel and restaurant management, write to:

   The Educational Institute of AH&MA, P.O.  Box 1240, East Lansing, MI
48826.

   Information on careers in housekeeping management may be obtained
from:

   National Executive Housekeepers Association, Inc., 1001 Eastwind Dr.,
Suite 301, Westerville, OH 43081.

   For information on hospitality careers, as well as how to purchase a
directory of colleges and other schools offering programs and
courses in hotel and restaurant administration, write to:

   Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education, 1200 17th
St.  NW., Washington, DC 20036-3097.