In the luxury hospitality industry, both hard and soft skills are crucial for moving up your career path.

However, while hard skills can be learned through training and education, soft skills are often intrinsic and might require more time and effort to develop. These intangible traits can elevate your service from just okay to exceptional and help you climb the ladder from entry-level to management faster than you might expect.

From staying calm under pressure and being an organizational wizard to always keeping a finger on your guests and colleagues' emotional needs, if you display these qualities you will set yourself up for success during the busy holiday season.  Let's delve into the five soft skills that are projected to be most important in Summer 2023.

1. Patience

Patience continues to be a paramount soft skill in the hospitality industry. With a busy season of international travel ahead, this trait will help you make sure your guests have a memorable stay.

For instance, consider the situation where a guest struggles to understand the use of new digital systems, such as mobile check-ins, digital room keys, or virtual concierge services. It may require repeated explanations and demonstrations, but a patient employee can help them navigate these systems, enhancing their comfort and overall experience.

Moreover, patience is essential when dealing with unexpected hiccups, like room mix-ups, delayed services, or last-minute changes in bookings. In these moments, keeping calm and working patiently towards a solution can turn a potentially negative situation into a positive guest experience.

Ready to apply these skills in a real world setting? Check out the open positions available on Hosco and find your dream job for this season!

2. Organizational Skills

Organizational skills, particularly attention to detail and the ability to multitask, have never been more important in the hospitality sector. Digital tools and services have brought a wealth of information at the staff's fingertips, but managing this data efficiently is vital.

Perhaps there is a guest who has dietary restrictions or special requirements for their room. It's your responsibility to take note of these details and ensure they are communicated to the right departments. Organizational skills also come into play when juggling multiple tasks - managing check-ins, attending to guest inquiries, coordinating with other departments, and keeping track of reservations.

As the trend of "bleisure" (business and leisure) travel grows, guests may have complex itineraries combining work commitments and relaxation time. Organized staff can help guests navigate these demands, suggesting suitable workspaces, scheduling spa appointments around conference calls, or arranging sightseeing trips that fit around business meetings.

3. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence, the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your own and others' emotions, is a skill that can transform a good hospitality professional into a great one.

It’s common that when someone arrives after a long and stressful journey, they may be tired and irritable. An emotionally intelligent staff member will recognize these signs, respond with empathy, and take steps to make the guest's check-in process as smooth and swift as possible.

On the team level, emotional intelligence can help leaders understand their colleagues' feelings and motivations, fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment. It's particularly important in periods of high demand when stress levels can rise, and team cohesion is crucial for maintaining high levels of service.

4. Language Skills

With a fresh resurgence in international travel, strong language skills remain incredibly important for long term success in your luxury hospitality career. Being able to communicate effectively with guests from different parts of the world can make all the difference in their experience.

For example, if a hotel in Mallorca sees a large influx of German tourists, staff with basic German language skills can significantly enhance these guests' stay. Simple gestures like greeting them in their native language or understanding basic requests can make someone feel welcome and appreciated.

Even if you're not fluent in a guest's language, knowing some basic phrases or having access to translation tools can go a long way in bridging the communication gap.

5. Technological Competency

As the hospitality industry continues its digital transformation, being competent with technology is more important than ever before. Hotel staff need to be comfortable using property management systems, digital check-in/out tools, and other tech-based solutions. 

This skill extends to understanding how to leverage AI tools, such as chatbots for customer service, or utilizing virtual reality to give potential guests a tour of the facilities.

In a restaurant setting, this might involve using digital ordering systems or understanding how to adjust digital signage. Technological competency helps improve operational efficiency, enhance guest experiences, and keep your establishment competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.

If you can nail these soft skills, you’ll be able to face the busy holiday period with confidence and give your guests an experience they will never forget.

Now all you need to do is find your dream job in hospitality and put those skills to use!

Article Updated: June 12, 2023