Hospitality is a service industry built around consumer satisfaction and looking after the needs of guests. It handles matters such as housing, amenities, and travel management. Hospitality can be classified into three broad categories: Food and Drink, Accommodation, and Travel and Tourism. It is also considered one of the toughest courses in India.
- Admission to India's IHM institutes is through NCHM JEE 2026, conducted by the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Tourism
- Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School has been part of Torrens University Australia since 2016
- EHL in Lausanne, founded in 1893, remains the world's first hotel school.
What Is the Food and Drink Sector in Hospitality?
Food and drink is a core area of hospitality, covering the meal and beverage services offered to guests during their stay. It spans restaurants, hotel and resort catering, bars, bistros, and night clubs. The quality and accessibility of these services strongly shape the overall guest experience and a property's reputation and revenue.
Food and drink is a welcoming area of hospitality. Guests are offered food and beverage services during their stay, and this forms the foundation of accommodation, as the quality and accessibility of these services frequently affect the general client experience and the hotel's status.
Food and drinks can be served in different settings such as restaurants that provide larger dining, hotels, and resorts that can include catering services. Larger properties provide catering for business lunches, seminars, and similar gatherings that restaurants might not be able to accommodate efficiently.
Bars and bistros are great spots to grab a quick drink or meal, and they are known for their laid-back social atmosphere compared with many in-house cafes. Night clubs are another area where food and drink play a prominent role and can generate additional revenue.
Toughest Courses in IndiaRead →What Are Accommodation Services in Hospitality?
Accommodation covers where guests stay and the conveniences provided, ranging from luxury properties to budget inns and lodges designed to suit different needs. This segment includes bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels, hostels, resorts, and serviced apartments, each catering to distinct traveller budgets, trip lengths, and expectations across the hospitality sector.
Facilities inside the hospitality industry essentially cover where visitors will stay and the conveniences they are given. From luxury properties to budget inns and lodges, every option is planned to suit different needs. Under accommodation, there are many areas of hospitality.
- Bed and Breakfasts offer a room and a morning meal, often in a smaller, home-like setting.
- Hotels are the most well-known properties in the hospitality sector.
- Motels are known for convenient, roadside comfort and are often used by business travellers and those looking for budget-friendly stays between two destinations.
- Hostels are often associated with student travellers but can be used by anyone who wants an affordable room for the night.
- Resorts fall into the high end of the sector, including yoga retreats, wellness centres, and properties offering unbroken views of nature.
- Serviced Apartments are fully outfitted properties available for both short and long-term stays.
What Does Travel and Tourism Cover in Hospitality?
Travel and tourism covers the ways guests reach their destinations, including trains, planes, cruise ships, and car hire services. Within this segment work several categories: travel agents, tour operators, online travel agencies, cruise lines, and car rental firms. Together they arrange bookings, transport, and packages that support a smooth guest journey.
Guests should be provided with an ideal way to reach their destinations. This category includes trains, planes, luxury ships, and even vehicle hire services. Under the travel and tourism sector, there are a few areas of work.
- Travel Agents are intermediaries within the hospitality industry, helping customers book holidays and find suitable accommodation.
- Tour Operators are firms that specialise in arranging package holiday deals such as family packages.
- Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) are a significant part of the industry because of their internet presence and are effective at handling online enquiries and bookings.
- Cruises or luxury ships are regularly paired with hotels, as travellers may use ports of disembarkation for extended stays, with the aim of providing quality accommodation throughout the trip.
- Car Rental is a large hospitality segment, letting guests avoid crowded public transport by using rental vehicles.
Which Are the Top Institutes for Hospitality Management?
The top hospitality institutes combine strong industry links with practical training. In India, the government IHMs at Pusa (Delhi), Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai admit students through NCHM JEE 2026. Globally, leading schools include EHL Lausanne, Cornell's Nolan School, Hotelschool The Hague, Oxford Brookes, and Blue Mountains in Australia.
IHM Pusa
IHM Pusa is also known as IHM Delhi. Admission is based on the national-level entrance exam, the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology Joint Entrance Examination (NCHM JEE).
IHM Mumbai
IHM Mumbai was established in 1954 by the All India Women's Central Food Council under the leadership of the late Smt Lilavati Munshi. Candidates can apply for admission through the NCHM JEE exam if they have cleared Class 12 with English as a compulsory subject.
IHM Bengaluru
Established in 1969, the Institute of Hotel Management, Bangalore initially offered only short-term courses. IHM Bangalore was set up by the Government of India together with the Government of Karnataka.
Based on the candidate's rank in NCHM JEE, applicants are called for an interview and then offered admission at colleges accepting NCHM JEE scores.
IHM Hyderabad
IHM Hyderabad was established in 1972 as a Food Craft Institute by the Government of India and the Government of Andhra Pradesh jointly. Students must clear the NCHM JEE exam for admission.
IHM Chennai
Located in Chennai, IHM Chennai was jointly established by the Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1963. It offers a BSc in Hospitality and Hotel Administration, an MSc in Hotel Administration, and 18-month diploma and craft courses. Aspirants must clear the NCHM JEE exam to gain admission.
Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne (EHL)
This Switzerland-based school, established in 1893, is the world's first hotel school and provides students with excellent facilities and world-class faculty. It offers bachelor's, master's, and executive education programmes in hospitality management.
Cornell University
Established in 1922 and located in the USA, the Nolan School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University is believed to be among the first to offer a hospitality management programme. It offers a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration, a Master of Management in Hospitality, and MS and PhD programmes in hospitality.
Hotelschool The Hague
Hotelschool The Hague is an institute in the Netherlands, established in 1929. It offers bachelor's and master's programmes in hospitality management, along with international fast-track programmes and a summer course in hospitality management.
Oxford Brookes University
Oxford Brookes University traces its history to 1865 in Oxford, UK, and became a university in 1992. Its international hospitality management programmes are recognised worldwide, and it is regarded as one of the world's leading providers of management education.
The school offers a BSc (Hons) in International Hospitality Management, an MSc in International Hospitality, Events and Tourism Management, and an MSc in International Hotel and Tourism Management.
Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School
Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School is located in Leura, Australia, and was established in 1991. It has been part of Torrens University Australia since 2016 and delivers hospitality programmes at its Leura campus and other locations.