Be humble to get ahead

ACCORDING to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), in the next eight years, 80 million jobs in the hospitality and leisure management business are waiting to be filled globally. And in Malaysia, the industry is expected to create some 500,000 new jobs in the next four years alone.

Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus’s School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts deputy dean Dr Vinayaraj Mothiravally said about 10,000 rooms are expected to enter the Malaysian market in the next three years.

“Key brand openings in the upscale and luxury segment will include the country’s first Harrods hotel and the first Fairmont hotel along with brands such as the St Regis, Banyan Tree, Westin and the Alila.

“This is expected to lead to an increasingly competitive upscale and luxury hotel landscape.

“Hospitality is not a stagnant industry, rather it is a transformational industry in accordance to the times. Because of its nature, the industry will adapt to accommodate new tech-savvy and sophisticated travellers and continue to grow in the future.

“There are 1.8 billion international tourist arrivals forecasted in 2030. This will translates to 125 million direct jobs in tourism worldwide in 2030 with a growth of 25 million from 2014 and 38 million jobs in Southeast Asia,” he added.

Since it’s a thriving sector, with much potential and a wide range of career options worldwide, the industry offers a broad range of career opportunities in areas like travel and tour; hotels; resorts; integrated resorts; events and conventions, or better known as MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and events) as well as; airlines; cruises and food service industries.

While a degree is not always required in hospitality, having one will surely give students a competitive edge and added value.

Executive assistant manager,

Holiday Inn Pattaya, Thailand

Vinayaraj said hospitality is the business of making people happy by creating a unique memorable experience.

He added that people in the industry will constantly learn new transferable skills, be exposed to new cultures, and meet new people — which makes them global citizens.

“Moreover, the hospitality industry offers a great career opportunity for young professionals with its benefits and a fast track movement to senior positions. The job scopes are varied in different sectors,” said Vinayaraj.

There are two types of jobs — operational and managerial. In the first category, the employees take care of the operations such as cooking and serving food and beverages; making the rooms ready for sale; and making the place appealing and attractive.

While in the managerial category, the employees supervise and make sure the operations

SKILLS CERTIFICATE DIPLOMA

•C Culinary Arts

•C Event Management •C Hospitality & Tourism

Management

•C Hospitality Management (Hotel Management / Tourism Management)

•C International Hotel & Tourism

Management

•C Leisure & Outdoor Adventure

Management