What makes the hospitality industry unique ?
Hospitality is defined as “the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.”
Hospitality industry can be understood as an industry which provides facilities for stay, food and complete related services for the comfort and leisure of the travelers and visitors.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council:
The Hospitality and Travel Industry employs more people than automotive, mining, financial services and manufacturing combined.
1 out of 10 jobs currently are provided through travel and tourism.
1 out of 5 new jobs are being created by the hospitality and tourism industry.
Travel and tourism industry contributes 10.6% of the Global Gross Domestic Product
The growth rate of the hospitality and tourism industry is over 150% of the global average
In Cambodia, as elsewhere in the world, the hospitality industry is rebounding from the COVID-19 crisis. Our sector is facing major challenges to recruit its workforce, an essential requirement for development.
For the employees, working in the hospitality industry remains attractive. For the firms, investing in human resources and skills development should be the first priorities.
Why embrace a career in hospitality ?
A diversity of jobs - The list of jobs in the hospitality sector is long, very long. It offers a diversity of jobs for all talents : Casino Host, Cruise Ship Attendant, Front Desk Associate, Front Desk Supervisor, Front Office Attendant, Front-of-House Manager, Gaming Dealer, Guest Relations Manager, Guest Services Associate, Guest Services Supervisor, Hotel Clerk, Hotel Receptionist, Reservationist, Reservations Agent, Events Manager, Executive Conference Manager, Executive Meeting Manager, Meeting and Convention Planner, Meeting Coordinator, Meeting Manager, Meeting Planner, Meeting Specialist, Special Events Manager, Wedding Coordinator, Cafe Manager, Catering Manager, Chef, Cook, Food and Beverage Manager, Kitchen Manager, Pastry Chef, Restaurant Manager, Sous Chef, Back Office Assistant, Catering Sales Manager, Director of Hotel Sales, Director of Marketing and Sales, Group Sales Manager, Guest Room Sales Manager, Hotel Manager, Lodging Manager, Sales and Marketing Manager, Shift Leader, Shift Manager, Spa Manager, Wedding Sales Manager, Director of Housekeeping, Director of Maintenance, Director of Operations, Executive Housekeeper, Housekeeper, Housekeeping Aide, Housekeeping Supervisor, Lead Housekeeper, Maid, Maintenance Supervisor, Maintenance Worker, Baggage Porter, Bell Attendant, Bellhop, Bellman, Driver, Parking Lot Attendant, Valet, Valet Attendant, Valet Parking Attendant, Waiter/Waitress, Back Waiter, Banquet Server, Barback, Barista, Bartender, Busser, Cafe Manager, Catering Assistant, Food Runner, Food Server, Head Waiter, Host, Hostess, Maître d'Hôtel, Server, Sommelier….
As new generations of clients are looking for experiences that match their lifestyle, a new generation of jobs is to be created : fitness teams, yoga teachers, nutritionists, events & art coordinators, virtual tour developers for instance will surely integrate the Hospitality sector in the very near future.
A fast-growing future - Hospitality industry in Cambodia is booming. Opportunities are present all over the country at every level : choose your lifestyle, your province, your sector, your company profile whether you want to contribute to the success of a local brand or integrate a worldwide company.
A multicultural environment - working in the hospitality sector offers the tremendous opportunity to evolve in an international context, both with clients and team members. Careers in multicultural environments are developing creativity, curiosity and a natural understanding of diversity.
A path for career development - choosing a career in hospitality is an insurance for a lifetime development with a rather quick access to responsibilities and management skills. It may also be a bridge over other industries such as the aviation sector, luxury retailers, banking industry, etc.
A possibility of an international career - a job in the hotel industry allows a great deal of freedom and mobility, as well as the rare opportunity to meet, service, and interact with people from all walks and corners of life. Employees working in the hospitality sector develop an international network faster and should they wish to move to a neighboring country from Asean or try a far away destination, they should not have a problem in finding new opportunities.
(Video clip from Workforce Singapore - Public agency)
Why do companies looking for success invest in their employees ?
The unemployment rate in Cambodia is one of the world lowest rates. While the hospitality sector is booming, it has been facing difficulties to attract staff for a variety of reasons:
a job offer market in other sectors highly competitive
the lack of familiarity and attractivity with the hospitality profession
lack of curriculum and recognition of skills adjusted to a clear salary grid
lack of vocational schools, hence the loss of time for companies in the recruitment and the need for in house training
a post Covid era that has been shattering the hospitality workforce
To answer these threats, you might invest wisely in your HR and believe in your team’s potential. A long-term vision and training action plan will give you the opportunity to:
define a competitive job offer that will attract promising profiles and talents
promote the attractivity and diversity of hospitality careers within your company
establish a career development path
develop your companies standards and your employees’ skills
adapt your business to new trends and new consumers’ habits
An efficient recruitment strategy and a skills development program will drive long-term benefits and direct responses for your company:
build a skilled-workforce and adapt to new technologies
efficiency & attractivity for recruitment
decrease of staff turnover
development of internal promotions
remaining at the top of your business industry
Industry-relevant vocational training and on-the-job training will ensure to build a skilled-workforce who would meet the state’s demand in terms of international standards, hygiene, nutrition, culinary arts and culinary business administration. The advantages of training are numerous, all studies are unanimous : staff skills development offers multiple benefits to a company. If you want to reduce your staff turnover and stay at the top of your business, our training programs are surely something you’d like to look into.
For the last 3 years, b. Consulting has been developing for established companies and newcomers in the Hospitality market recruitment assistance services and tailor made training programmes for hotel and F&B outlets. Because we believe that each client is unique, our program, based on international standards and following the Asean curriculum, is tailor made to empower competences, enhance knowledge, train the middle management to grow up and build a multi-tasking team to reach your goal. Our dedicated trainers aim to share their core value: providing a quality training for our clients and their team to enhance your guests' experience.
“Thank you for b.Consulting Cambodia for hosting a training for Pavilion service staff. As a manager I can see how the power of skills development training inspires the team for greater performance. The trainer was good at facilitating and getting the best of every one of the team.”
Nassiba Alibaeva- General Manager The Pavilion
b. Consulting will publish testimonies and interviews of hospitality careers. Stay tuned !
For more information :
Florian Bohême
Hospitality Consultant