People who regularly do business and leisure travel have high expectations for amenities and service, and the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) helps to prepare hospitality industry professionals to meet and exceed those expectations.
The hospitality and tourism industry was one of the first to experience positive growth as a result of globalization. In fact, it is said that over 80 percent of countries count hospitality and tourism as one of the top industries in which their domestic businesses participate. Increases in international and multinational business activities result in more frequent business travel. Also, bPreviewusiness men and women who have visited foreign regions for work will likely return as leisure travelers with their families if they had great experiences at those destinations as business travelers.
Subsequently, hospitality businesses need highly trained staff to remain competitive in the marketplace. Here are some of the programs that the AHLEI offers to help keep hospitality practitioners on the cutting edge of their professions.
Guest Service Gold
Outstanding guest service is at the heart of any viable hospitality business. Without a continuous flow of satisfied customers, any hotel or restaurant will be forced out of business by companies who can deliver adequate service. The AHLEI’s Guest Service Gold program features interactive courses that teach front office employees the key elements of elite customer service. The case study and scenario based curriculum allows students to practice solving problems and overcoming challenges that they are likely to face in the every day world of hospitality management. The Guest Service Gold programs are designed to be relevant for all service oriented organizations which include rental car agencies, tourist attractions and airlines. These programs lead to certifications that are beneficial for employees, their current employers and the industry as a whole.
Hotel Safety and Responsibility
Lodging establishments have certain ethical and legal responsibilities to keep their guests and employees safe while they live and work at hotels. These hotel general managers and small business operators are also interested in preserving their brands by protecting the property of the hotels for which they are responsible. The AHLEI provides a free online course called Eye on Liability that highlights these issues. Course participants learn how to identify and respond to issues related to slip and fall accidents, digital data breaches and human trafficking.
Hospitality Education for Secondary Schools
Tourism and other service related industries have created many career opportunities for the future work force. Students who can recognize their interests in the hospitality field early can get a head start by taking targeted courses that prepare them for future careers. The AHLEI’s high school program introduces students to the world of hospitality management with course materials that are created directly from industry expert input. The program that is formally called the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program contains instruction on guest service, sales, marketing, food and beverage services, resort operations, housekeeping and facility management. A unique feature of this program is that participating high school students can earn industry recognized certifications which can be used to gain full or part time employment while they continue their education at colleges or universities.
Conclusion
The AHLEI provides individual courses, training programs and certifications that promote knowledge and professionalism in the hospitality industry. The education and certification programs of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute are endorsed by the American Hospitality and Lodging Association, and many of its courses are approved for college credit by the American Council on Education.
See also: Top 30 Colleges For An Associate’s Degree in Hospitality