The hospitality industry as a career option
Have you considered a career in the hospitality industry? Perhaps you should! Here’s why hospitality and tourism is providing young South Africans with a rewarding alternative to traditional career options like medicine, engineering, accounting, or IT…
The hospitality industry is a diverse one, including a wide range of services related to food, accommodation, entertainment, and recreation. A qualification in hospitality will equip you with the expertise and skills you need to work in management or operations in this, the world’s fastest growing industry.
And the skills you learn and the knowledge you will acquire, both as part of your course and on-the-job, are easily transferrable – you can work all over the world in any number of hospitality establishments!
Hospitality is a government priority
The South African government has identified tourism as one of the country’s Six Core Pillars of Growth and has committed to targeted advertising campaigns to further stimulate this industry. In government’s Industry Policy Action Plan, the reasons why priority is being given to this industry are explored – tourism brings in foreign investment, consumer spending, and foreign earnings. In addition, the nature of the industry means it’s labour intensive with the capacity to stimulate jobs, both in urban and rural areas.
So with government paying attention to growing the hospitality and tourism industries, there’s going to be a huge focus on getting the right people in the right jobs to reflect well on South Africa as a tourist destination!
Hospitality is a resilient industry
The current harsh economic climate has adversely affected many industries, putting earning capacity and jobs under pressure. The South African tourism industry however, is showing steady growth, with both domestic and international tourists making more trips in and around South Africa.
Tourism’s direct contribution to the South African economy is estimated at some R67 billion, or 3% of South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Simply said, the tourism and hospitality industry is one of the best industries to get into right now.
Tourism protects heritage
Two of the main factors attracting tourists to any given country or area are culture and environment – people are eager to soak up a place’s unique cultural flavour or experience its natural beauty. South Africa – with its diverse and vibrant cultural heritage and great natural splendour – is well placed to capitalise on these driving forces.
Being a part of this exciting industry means you’re not only playing your part in ensuring that our heritage remains protected for generations to come but in building a sense of national pride too.
Hospitality provides opportunities
There’s money to be made from being in hospitality, whether it’s from a salaried job – working for a hotel or restaurant, for example – or from entrepreneurial activities. Says government, it’s a fairly easy industry for entrepreneurs to enter, so for hungry and hardworking hospitality graduates then, there’s the potential to earn a good living and create jobs for fellow South Africans by creating your own business.
Whether serving people food and drink, running a resort, or interacting with foreign travellers, this industry keeps you on your toes! Constantly thinking of new ways to ensure that people buy into and enjoy the experience you’re offering them is challenging and stimulating work for creative minds…
Hospitality broadens your horizons
Another perk – the chance to travel the world, see different places, and meet new people…and get paid for it!
Experiencing exotic, far-flung spots is all in a day’s work for those in the hospitality industry – whether working on a cruise ship, a safari lodge deep in the heart of Africa, or at a beautiful beach resort in a tropical paradise, it’s certain that your place of work beats working in a drab, dull office cubicle!
