The Art Of Managing A Hotel

How General Managers Use Technology to Drive Growth

Ask a bunch of hotel management graduates about their future aspirations, and you will get a resounding response from most of them - to become a General Manager. Once they graduate, they all work hard towards getting there. And why not? After all, as General Managers, they are finally in a position to make more significant decisions about their respective properties' overall growth and success.

What does it take to become a hotel General Manager?

Gone are the days when we used to picture a 50-something somebody with tons of experience in traditional hotel or hospitality operations and management as an ideal candidate for a General Manager. Talented youngsters are now in the race, and in fact, doing well too.

A hotel management degree is one of the most critical first steps. A part-time job at a hotel while still in college is also usually beneficial. Then, considering today's competitive scenario, hotel executives also take MBA courses to hone their managerial and leadership skills. In short, one can surely crack this in eight to ten years with the right educational background, solid track record, and leadership and analytical capabilities. Also, they must carefully make employment choices during their initial and formative years in the industry. And, of course, most importantly, they should familiarize themselves with emerging hospitality technology solutions in their journey to reach that top position.

Why are they important?