Why You Should Not Do Hotel Management?

A lot of people go into it thinking it’s all about style and status. But once you're inside the industry, things can feel quite different. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes that most students don’t realise when signing up. Read further to know why you should not pursue a hotel management course?

Why You Should Not Do Hotel Management?

Hotel Management sounds pretty cool, right? Fancy hotels, international chains, 5-star properties, meeting VIP guests, maybe even travelling the world. A lot of people go into it thinking it’s all about style and status. But once you're inside the industry, things can feel quite different. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes that most students don’t realise when signing up.

This article isn't to scare you off or anything, but just to give you the other side of the picture — the not-so-glamorous part. So, if you're considering a hotel management course, here’s what you should probably think through first.

It’s Not All Glitz – There's A Lot of Hard Work Too

People think working in hotels is like being part of a dream world. But in reality, most freshers start with jobs like cleaning rooms, serving food, or standing long hours at the reception dealing with all kinds of guests (some polite, some not so much).

You might start in areas like:

• Housekeeping – yep, actual room cleaning, making beds etc.
• F&B Service – which is basically food service; setting up tables, clearing them, running around during peak hours.
• Front Desk – sounds fancy but often means handling stressful check-ins, last-minute bookings, and complaints.

So yeah, the start can feel a bit of a shock if you only expected the red carpet.

The Pay Is Honestly Quite Low in the Beginning

Let’s be real – you might be paying around INR 2–6 lakh for your degree, but your starting salary could be as low as INR 12,000–INR 18,000 a month. That's lower than many regular desk jobs out there. Some internships even pay nothing. Yes, zero. Or maybe a token INR 2000- INR 5000. And if you’re working 10-12 hours a day on your feet, that can feel super unfair. A lot of students start feeling disappointed after this.

Also Read: Hotel management courses after Class 12 - Check Eligibility, Colleges, Fees and Scope

Say Goodbye to Weekends & Holidays

Hotels don’t sleep. They run 24/7. So you’ll likely be working when the rest of your friends are chilling during Diwali, New Year's, or even on weekends.

Here’s what to expect:

• Rotational shifts – could be day, evening or night
• Festive duties – hotels are packed during holidays, so it’s all hands on deck
• Very little personal time – forget Netflix marathons on Saturdays
• Over time, the physical and mental stress can really add up, especially if you're not used to that kind of work.

Also Read: List of popular hotel management entrance exams conducted in India.

Difficult to switch job

Let’s assume that you wanted to pursue hotel management but later you realized that it’s not your think. Unlike any other courses, which gives you an option to move to other fields like finance or marketing easily, HM is quite niche. To shift, you might need to start from scratch or study something different. So if you’re unsure about your long-term goals, HM may not be the most flexible option.

Too Many Graduates, Not Enough Good Jobs

The number of hotel management colleges has shot up in recent years, but honestly, not all of them offer strong placements or industry links.

This leads to:

• Too many graduates, not enough roles
• Crowded competition
• Lower salary offers because companies know they have a lot of choices and many students end up either leaving the sector, or settling for much less than they hoped.

Also Read: List of IHMs in India: Rankings, Admissions and Courses

Industry Gets Hit Hard During Crises

The hospitality sector is super sensitive to things like global health scares (remember COVID-19?), economic downturns, and even political instability. Hotels were shut, events got cancelled, and many employees were laid off or sent home without pay. This means job stability can be quite shaky in bad times – which is something to seriously think about.

Work Can Be... Repetitive at Times

If you think you’ll jump straight into creative or decision-making roles, you might be in for a reality check. Most entry roles involve day-to-day, repetitive tasks that aren’t very exciting.

Like:

• Telling guests the breakfast timings 20 times a day
• Rechecking rooms and minibars
• Logging complaints or requests
• You can move up over time, but the initial grind can feel slow and frustrating.

It’s a Passion-Driven Career, Not for Everyone. There’s no denying some people absolutely love working in hospitality. They enjoy the guest interactions, the fast pace, the global exposure. If you’re truly passionate, you can definitely build a fulfilling career.

But if you're joining just for the glam or because someone told you it’s “safe,” it might be worth a pause. Before joining any college, ask yourself:

• Can I handle long hours and customer pressure?
• Am I okay with a modest salary to start?
• Does the college I’m choosing offer real placement support?
• Do I really enjoy the idea of serving others – even when it's tough?

Making an informed decision now can save you a lot of stress later. After all, it’s your career – best to go in with eyes wide open.

Read More:

• Top 10 Hotel Management Colleges in India
• Top 5 choices for hotel management internship