Everybody knows the story of a young, artistic person who moves to the city and bounces from one hospitality job to another while waiting for their “big break” in the creative world. But, for every artist who breaks through and becomes a wild success, there are countless others who crash and burn.

We never hear about the failed actor who went on to become the general manager of one of the city’s trendiest restaurants. Or, the tone-deaf musician who started as a bartender and is now the director of operations at the coolest music venue in town.

Many people only see an entry level job in hospitality as a temporary solution and move on before they have a real impact on a company. However, if you are persistent, consistent, and dedicated to the work, a hospitality job can turn into a long-term hospitality career.

On the path from job to career, Hosco will be there with you every step of the way. Follow us on this journey as we discuss the four main pillars of industry.

What are the Four Sectors of the Hospitality Industry?

Lodging

Along with Food & Beverage, Lodging is one of the most important parts of the hospitality industry. This segment of the industry includes all the different types of accommodations someone might book for a business or leisure trip. From stunning five-star hotels in Paris to hip youth hostels in Geneva, the lodging sector offers a wide range of environments to work in.

There are many different entry-level jobs in lodging and these roles lead into various career paths. For example, you could start with a hotel receptionist job and eventually work your way up to reception manager in a matter of years. Depending on the size and structure of the company, and the country you are working in, your path to a higher salary will vary. 

Some of the positions you can find at a company in this segment include:

• Hotel Manager
• Housekeeping
• Reception
• Guest Relations
• Human Resources
• Room Division
• Concierge 
• Bell Boy
• Phone Bank Operator

Food & Beverage (F&B)

In addition to Lodging, F&B is one of the most consistent segments of the hospitality eco-system. The F&B sector includes jobs in traditional restaurant and bar settings, as well as positions with bars and restaurants that are part of a hotel or larger establishment. 

There is a wide variety of entry level F&B jobs, with these positions being divided into two distinct teams: front of house (FOH) and back of house (BOH). 

The front of house team are the people who greet, serve, and interact with customers and deal with any issues or questions the clients may have. The jobs and career paths in FOH will be different from restaurant to restaurant, depending on their size and philosophy. 

The typical roles you might find in F&B front of house include:

• Bartender
• Waiter/Waitress
• Host/Hostess
• F&B Management
• Sales
• Marketing

While the front of house in F&B is responsible for delivering excellent service and keeping the customers happy, the back of house team works together to guarantee that each dish coming out of the kitchen is cooked to perfection. 

Typical F&B roles you might find in back of house include:

• Executive Chef
• Head Chef (Chef de Cuisine)
• Head Baker
• Sous Chef
• Pastry Chef
• Chef de Partie
• Commis Chef
• Kitchen Porter
• Dishwasher

Travel and Tourism

Before a guest can check into a luxury hotel and explore their vacation destination, they must get there first -- this is where the Travel and Tourism segment steps in to help. This sector of the hospitality industry accounts for all the jobs you will find with airlines or cruise ship operators.

These are hospitality jobs that require a lot of travelling so they are ideal for a candidate who wants to see the world while making their living. Working in this sector requires some personal sacrifice as you will often be away from home for extended periods. It's the perfect sector for people who want a more dynamic hospitality career. 

The most important assets a candidate in this segment can have are soft skills. Excellent customer service and adaptability are extremely important. If an airline passenger is extremely nervous, ill, or causing a disruption, strong soft skills will allow a flight attendant to diffuse any sensitive situation with confidence.

Airline roles you will find in the Travel and Tourism sector of the hospitality industry include:

• Cabin Service Director
• Purser
• Inflight Manager/Supervisor
• Check Hostess
• Air Hostess/Steward

Typical hospitality jobs you will find on a cruise ship include:

• Housekeeping
• F&B Manager
• Waiter/Waitress
• Bartender
• Casino Crew
• Purser
• Head Chef
• Chef de Partie

Recreation

Once the guests have taken their flight, settled into their accommodation, and eaten at a popular local restaurant, they need things to do with the rest of their vacation. The Recreation segment of the hospitality industry accounts for all the jobs where providing entertainment and/or relaxation is the goal. 

The hospitality jobs in Recreation often work in conjunction with other sectors of the industry. For example, many bars have live musical programming. To be successful and provide quality concerts, this requires dedicated staff members who possess different hard and soft skills than those typically found in F&B. 

Many hotels and resorts offer amenities and recreation options that go beyond a room and a hotel bar, like a spa or gym where guests can take classes or work out with personal trainers.

This segment also applies to businesses that are solely focused on providing recreational activities such as cinemas, sporting events, zoos, and museums.

Typical jobs you will find in Recreation include:

• Masseuse
• Personal Trainer
• Spa Attendant
• Events Coordinator
• Tour Guide
• Concert Promoter
• Talent Coordinator
• Musical Coordinator
• Audio/Lighting Technician 
• Curator
• Guest Services

There are endless possibilities ahead of you if you choose a career in hospitality. One of the great parts about working in the industry is that soft skills and a dedication to customer service are useful in every segment of hospitality which makes it much easier to transition from one sector to another.

If you are ready to get your start in the hospitality industry or you already work in hospitality but want to switch things up, register for Hosco today and browse thousands of international hospitality job openings today.