5 answers
Zachary
Student
Yuma, Arizona
1
Question
Updated
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What are downsides for Hospitality and Tourism?
I’m a middle schooler in the seventh grade and I’m interested in this certain job. However, before engaging in it, I would like to know some consider the potential cons to this job? Anyone with experience in this field happen to know some major things to know about this?
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5 answers
Donald Dias
Chef de Partie
15
Answers
Sacramento, California
Updated
Donald’s Answer
The downside of the industry is sometimes you deal with difficult managers and co-workers. When you encounter them, protect yourself from disrespect, corporate bullying, at all costs.
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Zachary! The fame can take some time to build up as NN said! People develop favorite dishes, and chefs can become very well-known and popular with the media promoting them. Tourism clients can get anxious about their itinerary - will this meet with their expectations. The way to assure them is to ask them questions about their concerns, and needs, and what makes for a brilliant holiday! The reason is that you are dealing with two very important human needs - food and environment!
GOD BLESS!
GOD BLESS!
victoria Conley
Design Ops
5
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
victoria’s Answer
Hi Zachary,
Hospitality and tourism is an exciting industry to be a part of — but it truly never sleeps. It’s a 24/7 business, which often means long and unpredictable hours. Hotels typically run on three shifts: 1st shift (around 7am–4pm), 2nd shift (3pm–11pm), and 3rd shift (11pm–7am). You’re not always guaranteed a set schedule, so you may find yourself bouncing between shifts within the same year, month, or even week.
In some areas, like housekeeping, there’s no set end time; you leave when the work is done. Days off can also be split, and it’s rare to consistently get both Saturday and Sunday off together (sometimes you may not get either). Scheduling is often based on seniority, so newer employees usually have less flexibility.
Major holidays are peak times in this industry, which means time off usually isn’t approved and you’ll be scheduled to work. If spending holidays with your family is a top priority, this might be something to seriously consider when choosing your career path.
Hospitality and tourism is an exciting industry to be a part of — but it truly never sleeps. It’s a 24/7 business, which often means long and unpredictable hours. Hotels typically run on three shifts: 1st shift (around 7am–4pm), 2nd shift (3pm–11pm), and 3rd shift (11pm–7am). You’re not always guaranteed a set schedule, so you may find yourself bouncing between shifts within the same year, month, or even week.
In some areas, like housekeeping, there’s no set end time; you leave when the work is done. Days off can also be split, and it’s rare to consistently get both Saturday and Sunday off together (sometimes you may not get either). Scheduling is often based on seniority, so newer employees usually have less flexibility.
Major holidays are peak times in this industry, which means time off usually isn’t approved and you’ll be scheduled to work. If spending holidays with your family is a top priority, this might be something to seriously consider when choosing your career path.
Elena Hanson
Marketing
3
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Elena’s Answer
Hi there! As somebody with parents who have been working in the hospitality industry for 30+ years (catering & restaurant management) and has since been working in the hospitality industry myself for 10+ years (corporate event planning), I'd love to give you some insight into some of the highs and lows of the kind of work we do.
Here are a few of the difficult realities of working in the hospitality industry:
1. It's hard work, sometimes involving long hours, some manual labor, and dealing with some challenging clientele, vendors, etc.
2. Potential of working a lot of nights and weekends, which does take away from your personal time and life outside of work. Hospitality work is typically centered around when our customers/clients are NOT working, which is typically outside of the normal 9 to 5, Monday through Friday work schedule.
3. There are usually very high expectations for perfection. Whether it's at a hotel or resort, in a restaurant or at a big event, everyone is expecting the experience to be exceptional, which can be very stressful and demanding.
Although your question was focused around the "cons", I do want to share some of the highlights and positive takeaways that I have experienced first-hand:
1. There is nothing more rewarding than creating memorable and ever-lasting experiences for other people. There is something to be said about making people smile, and as a corporate event planner I have had the opportunity to provide very unique and engaging experiences for people that they get to share with their colleagues and loved ones, that I hope they will continue talking about for the rest of their lives. Seeing their excitement and hearing their gratitude makes it all worth it.
2. One of my college professors told me that the hospitality & tourism industry should be renamed as "The Happy Industry". 90% of the time, our work involves engaging with people during their happiest moments, whether it's on a vacation exploring a new city, out to dinner with their friends and family, or at a big milestone moment in their lives.
3. You get to meet a lot of wonderful people and create lasting relationships. You never know who you are going to meet and at what time, but there is potential for a lot of new and exciting opportunities to come from meeting the right people.
Here are a few of the difficult realities of working in the hospitality industry:
1. It's hard work, sometimes involving long hours, some manual labor, and dealing with some challenging clientele, vendors, etc.
2. Potential of working a lot of nights and weekends, which does take away from your personal time and life outside of work. Hospitality work is typically centered around when our customers/clients are NOT working, which is typically outside of the normal 9 to 5, Monday through Friday work schedule.
3. There are usually very high expectations for perfection. Whether it's at a hotel or resort, in a restaurant or at a big event, everyone is expecting the experience to be exceptional, which can be very stressful and demanding.
Although your question was focused around the "cons", I do want to share some of the highlights and positive takeaways that I have experienced first-hand:
1. There is nothing more rewarding than creating memorable and ever-lasting experiences for other people. There is something to be said about making people smile, and as a corporate event planner I have had the opportunity to provide very unique and engaging experiences for people that they get to share with their colleagues and loved ones, that I hope they will continue talking about for the rest of their lives. Seeing their excitement and hearing their gratitude makes it all worth it.
2. One of my college professors told me that the hospitality & tourism industry should be renamed as "The Happy Industry". 90% of the time, our work involves engaging with people during their happiest moments, whether it's on a vacation exploring a new city, out to dinner with their friends and family, or at a big milestone moment in their lives.
3. You get to meet a lot of wonderful people and create lasting relationships. You never know who you are going to meet and at what time, but there is potential for a lot of new and exciting opportunities to come from meeting the right people.
N N
software development
1
Answer
Coppell, Texas
Updated
N’s Answer
Building your reputation in the hospitality and tourism industry may take time, but once you earn trust, it opens up lasting opportunities.
Thank you very much for this advice! I hope this will be able to assist me on my potential journey in this industry. Your suggestion about earring throughout gave me more motivation. Once again, thank you again for your support and insight.
Zachary