Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Hospitality & Tourism
A career in hospitality and tourism is still considered non-profitable and less resourceful. Even after offering diverse opportunities and growth potential, people still question the credibility of a career in hospitality and tourism.
Time to debunk this myth.
Many people may start in entry-level positions but climbing the right stairs might get you higher roles and a handsome amount to live your dream life. A job in the hospitality industry involves working directly with customers in restaurants, hotels, theme parks and similar facilities for recreational activities.
The World Travel and Tourism Council has revealed that the global travel and tourism sector contributed to $9.5 trillion in 2023 and is expected to grow steadily. So, if you are dreaming of a career in the hospitality and tourism sector, this blog will uncover the top 10 highest paying jobs that should be on your radar.
Hotel General Manager
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The Hotel GM is the captain of the ship responsible to handle all the aspects at the facility, Be it managing staff, overseeing the guest experience, housekeeping to finance – everything is managed by the Hotel General Manager.
General Managers demand top-tier salaries and get a lot of perks including luxury stays, travel allowance and performance bonuses. The average salary of a hotel general manager ranges between 30 LPA to 70 LPA, depending on their professional qualification and experience.
Did you know? A GM at a 5-star hotel in Mumbai or Delhi is earning the same as a tech VP in Bengaluru. Quite surprising, isn’t it?
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Restaurant Manager
A restaurant manager is responsible for managing the operations of a dining establishment. All types of restaurants have managers, be it top-tier 5-star restaurants or a perfectly designed cafe for couples. In this job role, you are expected to plan staff for the kitchen, develop menu and weekly themes (if necessary), develop marketing strategies, update the menus and manage finances.
Read Also: Top 10 Hospitality Management Schools Worldwide
An experienced restaurant manager can earn up to 40 LPA. Moreover, a restaurant manager is also responsible to track and maintain inventory of food and supplies, participate in local events to market the restaurant and even develop loyalty programs for patrons.
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This job profile is very exciting and challenging at the same time. Popular celebrity weddings, business conferences and luxury corporate retreats in exotic locations – all of this is handled by event managers.
The primary responsibilities of an event manager are handling logistics, client expectations, managing vendors and decor. An event manager should have an eye for details and excellent communication. Talk about finances, an event manager can earn between 10 LPA to 30 LPA, depending on their previous works and experience.
Executive Chef
Today’s chefs are not just culinary maestros but business strategists. Executive chefs work in kitchens at restaurants and hotels to oversee their daily operations. Executive chefs are responsible for hiring, training and managing kitchen staff members; maintaining the food quality, planning menus and drinks, dishes and coordinating tasks for other members of the team.
An executive chef may also be responsible for some of the administrative tasks of the restaurant, such as payroll or maintaining and monitoring inventory earning salaries ranging between 12 LPA to 30 LPA.
Cruise Director
This job is perfect for those who love to travel. Cruise Directors are the ‘party planners of the sea.’ From planning fun pool parties to organizing a cozy dinner, they make sure that passengers onboard are enjoying their time.
Cruise Directors can earn between 18 LPA to 40 LPA depending on their work experience and qualifications. Besides the financial advantage, cruise directors are offered perks like VIP travel, access to luxury suites and ports, among others. Popular cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise offer some of the competitive packages in the biz.
Read Also: Why is Customer Experience Management Important in Hospitality?
Aviation Hospitality Manager (Airlines)
First-class passengers demand experience. That’s when an aviation hospitality manager comes to action. Their role is to oversee inflight service quality, cabin crew behavior to offer a seamless journey experience to the clients.
Post-pandemic, air travel is in demand and some popular airlines like British Airways, Emirates and Singapore Airlines are heavily investing on inflight services – making the job more high-stakes and high-paying.
Aviation Managers can earn between 15 LPA to 35 LPA and are also given perks including VIP lounge, flight ticket discounts and global networking opportunities.
Luxury Travel and Tourism Consultant
Earlier, it was the travel agent that was booking tickets for you. Now, luxury travel consultants are your people to get a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Whether you want to book overwater bungalows in Bora Bora or a private candlelight dinner with your partner on a beachside – your consultant has it all.
Read Also: Top 10 Renowned Chefs in India You Need to Know
Their job role includes in-depth knowledge about the destination, keen eye for detail, managing personalized requirements and much more. A luxury travel consultant can earn between 8 LPA to 25 LPA.
Sommelier (Wine Expert)
Who doesn’t love wine! Now imagine turning that into a career. Not just a fancy title but, a sommelier is responsible to manage the wine offering at a restaurant or hotel. From helping guests select the perfect wine to planning gourmet meals, they are always ready to help.
Sommeliers are a very important resource in 5-star and Michelin-starred restaurants.
Love wine? Turn it into a six-figure career. A sommelier isn’t just a fancy title—they’re connoisseurs who help guests select the perfect wine, pair it with gourmet meals, and often manage extensive cellars in high-end restaurants or hotels.
In luxury resorts or Michelin-starred establishments, sommeliers are indispensable. In order to be a professional sommelier, you need to have an in-depth knowledge about wines, excellent communication skills and networking. Their salaries range between 8 LPA to 25 LPA.
Resort Operations Manager
Imagine running an entire resort with beachfront spas, poolside bars, gourmet dining and perfect insta-worthy ambiance – all under your supervision. A resort operations manager is responsible to coordinate with departments, develop plans to optimize guest experience and maintain five-star standards.
Read Also: Psychology of Guest Behavior Satisfaction in Hospitality
Maldives, Goa, Seychelles and Bali are some of the top destinations where the luxury hospitality business is booming. Resort Operations Manager can typically earn between 12 LPA to 28 LPA with perks to live onsite in some of the most breathtaking destinations on Earth.
Director of Sales
Director of Sales is a senior executive who leads and manages the company’s or hotel’s sales department. Director of Sales is responsible for developing and implementing sales strategies, corporate tie-ups, destination weddings to drive business partnerships.
If we talk about luxury properties, performance bonuses can add up to 30%. Director of Sales can earn up to 25 LPA to 50 LPA.
Chief Engineer
Not all heroes wear aprons or host microphones—some carry toolkits and blueprints. The chief engineer in a hotel or resort is responsible for the entire physical infrastructure: air-conditioning systems, elevators, lighting, plumbing – almost all of it.
In luxury hotels, where comfort and safety are priority for the clients, the role is very much respected and highly paid. A Chief Engineer can earn up to 20 LPA to 45 LPA.
Conclusion
Whether you want to manage a luxury resort in the Maldives, fly high with a leading airline, or recommend the perfect wine in a Michelin-starred restaurant, hospitality and tourism offer diverse, high-paying career paths that combine passion, purpose, and plenty of perks.
Read Also: Discover Hospitality and Tourism Management Courses: Eligibility, Scope, and Career Pathways
So why settle for ordinary when the world is your workplace?
If you are looking for the best hotel management courses after 12th, AAFT School of Hospitality and Tourism do offer various degree, diploma and certificate programs to help you learn about the nitty-gritty of the industry with hands-on training, masterclasses by industry experts and live projects.
Our BHM and BTTM Courses equip you with the important skills, knowledge and confidence to make your mark in the ever-evolving world of hospitality.
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