What is Hospitality Management?

The hospitality industry is constantly evolving, but great leadership remains essential. Whether you’re interested in hotels, tourism, events, food and beverage, real estate, or entrepreneurship, a hospitality management education can help you build the skills to succeed.

What can you do with a hotel administration degree?

Two students walking and talking while preparing for an HEC event.

Discover the hospitality industry through Cornell’s degree in Hotel Administration

While hospitality management places an emphasis on ensuring guests have an enjoyable experience,  whether they are traveling for business or leisure, as well as the profitability and business operations of a hotel or resort, the field of hotel management encompasses much more. Hotel administration not only touches on hospitality, but combines aspects of marketing, real estate, and operations at a broader corporate level. A degree in hotel administration can allow you to pursue a variety of careers, ranging from hospitality management to entrepreneurial endeavors.

The Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel Administration, allowing you to reach your hospitality management dreams. Learn more about the opportunities to lead within the field of hospitality and how earning your degree in Hotel Administration from the Cornell Nolan School can equip you with the skills needed to innovate and instill a philosophy of hospitality as a cornerstone of your career.

What is hospitality management?

Hospitality management involves applying strategic thinking, innovation, financial and transactional acumen, and a passion for service to the business of making guests or customers feel welcome. A career in hospitality management and operations can take you to places around the world and immerse you in the food and beverage service industry, travel and tourism, as well as the real estate, financial services, and technology sectors within the hospitality industry.

By using your leadership skills and education, you can contribute to shaping the industry and developing a career that is uniquely your own.

As the nation’s first school of its kind, the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University in New York is steeped in tradition and globally renowned in the business of hospitality management. With a solid grounding in business education, you’ll graduate with more than a degree in hotel administration. You’ll be equipped with unrivaled skills, a driven professional network cultivated from among your peers, and the adaptability to seize opportunities not just in the hospitality industry, but within the broader business world.

A man brings out a tray of food as students look on.

Hospitality management is dynamic, and a degree in hotel administration prepares students to capitalize on burgeoning market opportunities and seamlessly readjust to new requirements. As new technologies emerge and guest preferences evolve, the Nolan School at Cornell University prepares professionals to anticipate change — and thrive in the face of it. Hospitality is an industry that involves administrative, operational, and commercial facets that can be applied to any sphere of interest that prioritizes service. That means you can apply your hospitality knowledge from your degree and your passion to a wide range of enterprises, from property and event management and marketing, to tourism, entertainment, food and beverage management and entrepreneurship.

What hospitality management careers are there for hotel administration majors?

Hospitality management careers can focus on all aspects of business, from brand management, marketing, and human resources to finance, project management, and property development. Opportunity abounds for hospitality management students who have a passion for service and a desire for a career that allows for professional growth, creativity, and fulfillment. For example, your hotel administration degree could lead to a variety of career opportunities:

  • Attractions Management
  • Hotel and Resort Operations and Development
  • Airline and Cruise Management
  • Event Planning
  • Travel Counseling
  • Restaurant Ownership
  • Real estate development
  • Food and Beverage Service Management

To take advantage of the world of career possibilities within hospitality management, you need training and experience that not only equips you to be a confident professional but also gives you a competitive advantage. The hospitality industry evolves quickly to stay ahead of what people expect of their guest experiences. The Nolan School stays ahead of these expectations and leads in teaching the business of hospitality, generating new knowledge for the industry and fostering a forward-looking approach.

Skill development at the Nolan School

Is hospitality management the right career for you?

With the right preparation and skills, a career in hospitality management or hotel administration can offer long-term opportunities across the industry.

A degree in hotel administration prepares you for careers in hospitality while building transferable business, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills that can open doors beyond the industry.

You’ll develop valuable skills such as:

Business knowledge

Oversee financial and administrative management, strategize effectively, develop practical business policy, and foster entrepreneurial skills.

Critical thinking & problem solving skills

Ethically evaluate challenges and devise solutions through analysis and thoughtful decision-making.

Technology proficiencies

Understand how to use technologies, systems, and information management to meet business goals.

Leadership skills

Build cohesive teams through culturally aware management and motivation.

Hospitality management salaries

Ultimately, what makes a degree in hotel administration worth it is the acquisition of professional confidence and skills that not only help you launch your hospitality careers, but achieve earning power throughout your lifetime.

When comparing hospitality degree programs, understand your potential earning power and select wisely. The Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University in New York has earned the #1 ranking by CollegeChoice.net for Best Hospitality Management Degrees. Of course, salaries in hospitality management vary by industry sector and career focus. Explore your salary potential and learn more about Nolan School graduates’ average salary.

What is the job outlook for graduates with a degree in hotel administration?

Significant change occurs across all industries, including hospitality management. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides insight into the job market for management occupations, including hospitality management, indicating faster growth than average for all management occupations through 2029. See the even more promising statistics relevant to the Nolan School’s most recent graduates and full-time employment.

Ready to lead in hospitality?

To pursue a rewarding and exciting career path in hospitality management, invest in an education that will set you up for success. Join the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University in New York and earn your place among the industry’s best. For more information, please contact sha_admissions@cornell.edu to pursue your career in hospitality management.