Hospitality : Overview

The industry in a nutshell

The hospitality sector includes all businesses that provide food, beverages and/or accommodation services. This includes restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs, hotels, contract catering, and hospitality services.

The industry is known for its fast pace, hard work and high turnover. As with most other sectors, employment opportunities stalled in 2009 due to the recession but long-term employment trends are positive.

The State of the Nation 2011  report from People 1st finds that:

• 58% of the workforce is female;
• 44% of workers are under 30;
• 14% are from black or minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds;
• 53% work full time;
• 9% are self-employed; and
• 21% are migrant workers.

What kind of work can I do?

Graduates are increasingly being sought by employers to go into a wide range of management and operational roles.

• Hotels offer careers in management, event organisation, restaurant and bar work, as well as a range of operational roles, including finance, IT, human resources and marketing.
• Careers in restaurants include general and food service management roles. Larger restaurant chains also have opportunities for business/finance managers and operational staff. 
• Pubs, bars and clubs offer opportunities in licensed retailing, management, promotions and event organisation.
• Contract catering involves providing professional food services within organisations such as hospitals, schools, universities, entertainment venues and large public and private sector businesses.
• Other industries in the sector include holiday centres and visitor attractions.

A useful career map of the different industries and roles in the sector can be found on the UKSP  website.

What’s it like working in this industry?

Hospitality is a busy, fast-paced sector where employees have to adjust to new challenges in order to address the needs of customers.

• Working in contract catering, providing meals in schools, hospitals and staff restaurants can be a nine-to-five job, whereas working in restaurants and pubs can mean longer but more flexible hours.
• Working in hotels usually means longer hours but promises a wide variety of jobs and opportunities for early responsibility.
• Many occupations within the sector may be appropriate for those seeking flexible working hours or part-time work but People 1st reports that part-time workers are more vulnerable in an economic downturn.
• The industry is noted for its high level of labour turnover, and this currently stands at 23% (People 1st, 2011). 
• Although 58% of the workforce is female, only 44% of women work in senior management positions in the hospitality industry (People 1st, 2011).
• Salaries vary and depend on the size of the company, the amount of responsibility involved and the type of organisation. Sometimes packages can include profit-related pay, subsidised accommodation or meals, pension schemes and health insurance.
• Typical starting salaries for a trainee hotel manager can range from £13,000 to £19,000, although entrants with experience may earn more. Salaries vary widely depending on location and the size of the organisation. Starting salaries for a restaurant manager range from £16,000 to £20,000. Entry-level salaries in event management range from £19,000 to £25,000, although performance-related pay/commission/bonuses are typical.

For more information on specific roles, see types of jobs.

How big is this industry?

The hospitality sector employs over two million people in 206,000 outlets across the UK and accounts for 4.9% of the UK’s total economic output, more than agriculture, forestry, fishing, energy, and water supply combined.

31% of the workforce works in restaurants, 16% in bars/nightclubs and 12% in hotels (People 1st, 2011).

Where can I work?

• London and southeast England have the largest proportion of hotels, bars and restaurants, although vacancies exist across the UK.
• The demand for staff remains relatively strong in businesses that operate as part of a chain and those in tourist hot-spots such as coastal settings. 
• There will be an increase in the amount of hospitality-related jobs available as a result of the London Olympics in 2012.
• CareerScope  has wide-ranging information about careers in the hospitality industry and may give you ideas about what section of the industry interests you.

For more information see opportunities abroad.