CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE LODGING INDUSTRY

1.1 BASIC CONCEPTS IN THE LODGING INDUSTRY

The hospitality industry is composed of different varieties of activities and services,
such as lodging, restaurants, food and beverage services, spas, convention centers, and
the like. Lodging sector consists of hotels, motels, resorts, apartments, condominium
hotels, bed and breakfast, inns, lodges, and the like. Lodging provides accommodation that
includes different standards of service, food, and rooms according to their categories and
types.
1.2 DEFINING HOSPITALITY
 To begin with, the definition of the word fundamentals according to Merriam-
Webster Dictionary is “serving as a basis supporting existence or determining
essential structure or function.”
 While lodging, also known as accommodation, is “a place to sleep and related
amenities for temporary use of a tourist or traveler.”
 Hotel is a place or building that provides accommodations, meals, and other
amenities for fee.
 The word hospitality is derived from the Latin word hospitare, meaning “to receive
as a guest.” Its task to create shareholder wealth by servicing and satisfying guests.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
Some characteristics of the hospitality are listed as follows:
o This industry operates 24/7. Most of the time, there are no holidays because they
are considered as peak days.
o It relies heavily on manpower.
o Guest’s satisfaction is very important as its goal is to satisfy customers. Delivery of
great services is crucial in the industry’s success.
1.3 THE NATURE OF HOTEL WORK
Provided below are the nature of hotel work and its inclusions:
Wages and Salaries: The hospitality industry requires intensive labor and manpower as
they are crucial in delivering quality services.
Work Environment: In comparison to other industries, the atmosphere might be rather
excellent. First-class and luxury hotels are frequently seen as excellent locations to work,
although some older, badly kept hotels may be regarded as less so.
Hours and Days of Works: Most establishments related to hotel industry are operating 24
hours a day and seven days a week, including holidays and special events. That is why it is
very normal for these establishments to have rotational shifts when it comes to employees.
Travel Opportunities: Some professionals or employees will have travel opportunities as
they could be relocated based on the need of several braches.
Opportunities for advancement: In the hospitality Industry, there are lots of opportunities
for advancement where employees can explore several different jobs.
People-Oriented Profession: The hospitality sector caters to the needs of travelers; the
bulk of those who work in it are constantly in contact with guests and customers. People in
this field need to have good social skills and be able to interact well with others.
1.4 BENEFITS OF WORKING IN THE LODGING INDUSTRY
Hotels offer different roles and challenging experiences of your everyday life. Here
are just some reason why taking a leap into the hospitality industry could be the best for
you:
1. Working with great people- people working in the industry are friendly, flexible,
positive, creative, and outgoing because they came from a wide range of
background. Their confidence in give pride in what they are doing.
2. Acquiring global skills- working in the hospitality industry will give you a chance to
meet people from different countries carrying their own customs and cultures. This
experience will give you can take if ever you think of working abroad.
3. Day-to-day variety- duty hours in hotels vary from time to time; they may change
weekly or monthly as the hotel operations run 24/7 and 365 days in a year. It
provides you a wide range of tasks that help you develop your critical thinking and
flexibility.
4. Social Interaction- if you are the type of person who loves to interact with a wide
variety of people every day, having a career in the hospitality industry is best for you.
This opportunity and experience will help develop your confidence and self-esteem.
5. Staff perks- apart from your basic salary, you will also get a share of the service
charge, free uniforms, and free staff meals. These extra benefits can make the
industry appealing to work in.
6. Creative opportunities- being creative is one of the soft skills needed in the
hospitality industry. If you have a creative mindset or you are good coming up with
new ideas on how to improve the products, services, and experiences of the guests,
then you are fit in the industry.
7. Brilliant career prospects- starting from the bottom and working your way up will
give you the experience and expertise coupled with the right attitude in managing the
whole operation. Your loyalty to the company will bring you up there.
8. Skills needed in the hospitality industry- if you want to pursue a career in
hospitality industry, soft skills and hard skills are needed to make you competitive
among others.
TOP 10 SKILLS NEEDED IN THE INDUSTRY
o Customer Service Skills- Hospitality is all about giving customer service and
satisfaction; this skill can make or break you. Your ability to meet the customer
expectation is essential in hospitality. Giving each customer a great experience
will create a good image of the hotel.
o Cultural Awareness- in hospitality, you will work employees with different
upbringings and customers with different cultural backgrounds. Respecting each
 individual’s culture and being flexible to make your customer happy are the
ultimate goal of every hospitality firm so that the guest will keep on coming back.
o Communication Skills- your communication skills represent your employer’s
brand, and your ability to build and cultivate relationship is a big factor in the
success of your company, so you need to have strong communication skills to be
able to meet the ultimate objective of making your customers want to go back.
o Multitasking Skills- your ability to do multitasking and handle several tasks at
once is necessary. You must know how to handle pressure and remain calm
when things get chaotic.
o Work Ethics- it is beneficial for you to possess good working ethics in the
hospitality industry. Working with integrity by doing things right, giving emphasis
on quality of your work even if no superior is looking after you, being professional
by presenting yourself with good appearance and dealing with peers and guests,
having discipline, by adhering the company rules and good job performance.
o Language Skills- this can benefit you in a longer time. Although it is not the
usual requirement, it is always a bonus if you can speak different languages
because it allows you to communicate with wider scope of customers.
o Professionalism- it is important that they remain highly professional at all times.
Being professional starts with your grooming, which includes a tidy well-pressed
uniform, proper haircut or hairstyle, good hygiene, and proper posture.
o Teamwork Skills- you need to be able to work well with others; whether you
work with new faces in your department due to high turnover or be assigned in
other departments, skills in working as part of the team are essential because if
you do not work in union, the operation can start to go down, which is bad for
your customer, employer, and eventually, you.
o Problem-Solving Skills- this is the ability to think well and solve problem quickly.
The ability to give solution to the guests’ problem will keep the customer for a
long time.
o Attention to Detail- a little effort makes difference. Making sure that every detail
in the hotel is clean at all times with fresh linens, clean surrounding, and
complete set of menus, and checking on uniforms are far way important to
guests’ satisfaction.

CHAPTER 2: HISTORY OF LODGING

Lodging refers to renting of a short-term accommodation. Lodging can be classified
into different types, such as hotels, motels, inns, homestays, and others.
2.1 HISTORY OF THE LODGING INDUSTRY- INTERNATIONAL
 Ancient History
Classic Greek and Roman Days
During the Classic Greek and Roman days, hospitality had been a part of
certain religions that helped with its development. They provided accommodations
which were managed by slaves. Inn, on the other hand, were large mansion and
accommodations.
 Marco Polo characterized “yams” (posthouses) as apartments fit for a king in
his writings. Bethlehem’s inn was the most well-known.

 Middle Ages
Not until 1473 did the term hostelers was used. It means “inn holders.”
Nowadays, the hostelers mean guests who are staying at hostels. Depending on the
hostel, its design is very classic and standard as it is very simple, but traditional
areas needed for accommodations liken kitchen and comfort rooms.
 Colonial Period
A public carriage service began operating in 1650. Coaches ran between
major cities and stopped wherever passengers requested, much to how bus lines do
now. Coach inns were built along the roadways, primarily at locations where horse
teams were changed and also the horse that they use. Such places are referred to
as “inns” in the United Kingdom.
 Nineteenth Century
During the nineteenth century, the hotel/motel industry had been influenced
by the introduction of railroads. As a matter in fact, when it was laid, depot hotels
immediately become a hit. Some of them were directly connected or adjacent to train
stations.

 Modern Days
Nowadays, everything has been modernized due to the increasing rise of
technology and demand. Hotel owners and management must continuously strive to
develop their operations and facilities as time goes by in order to stay on trends.
2.2 THE OLDEST HOTELS IN MANILA
 Manila Hotel
 Luneta Hotel
 Marimar Hotel
 Rizal Park Hotel
SIX KEY HOSPITALITY TRENDS THAT WILL IMPACT THE INDUSTRY BY 2030:
o Shift of Market Power
o Vulnerability on the rise
o In search of a sense of belonging
o Emotional experience
o Smart hotels depend on smart destinations
o Scope of knowledge