The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (SoHTM) at SEGi College Kuala Lumpur recently attended a seminar in which industry experts from the W Hotel Kuala Lumpur and the Hilton Hotel Petaling Jaya shared their thoughts and experiences with students on the topic of “The Best Ways to Start a Career in the Tourism & Hospitality Industry.”
According to a World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) report, the global travel and tourism industry will create 100 million new jobs by 2028, with Asia leading the way. In Malaysia, the travel and tourism industry contributes significantly to the country’s economy, accounting for 14.9% of GDP and employing 3.4 million people in 2019. This emphasises the importance of preparing graduates with industry-relevant skills and knowledge.
The experts emphasised during the seminar that obtaining a qualification in hospitality management opens up a variety of career options and develops a wide range of skills. The experts also shared their perspectives on key industry attributes such as strong customer service skills, a big personality, high emotional intelligence, and a willingness to work in a team.
According to Ameer Ash, Quality Learning and Development Manager at W Hotel Kuala Lumpur, graduates who demonstrate these skills have a better chance of being hired by the hotel. A degree in hotel management, according to Rohizat Baharum, Director of Human Resources at Hilton Hotel Petaling Jaya, can help in obtaining higher-level management positions but is not required. Graduates with a positive attitude, dependability, the ability to multitask, provide excellent customer service, and are willing to stretch can advance quickly in the hospitality industry.
Creating a well-defined career path can boost employee retention and engagement by motivating employees to advance within a company. This enables businesses to achieve their short- and long-term objectives with less turnover. With today’s job market being more difficult to navigate than a decade ago, students should begin thinking about potential career paths and consider a career guide as a necessity.
The SoHTM programme at SEGi College Kuala Lumpur aims to produce graduates who are on par with industry expectations and capable of performing well in the industry. Students can benefit from industry experts’ knowledge and gain a better understanding of what it takes to succeed in the hospitality industry by inviting them to share their thoughts and experiences.
