Accommodation Manager

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Accommodation Service Managers (0632) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Accommodation Service Managers (A222) 
• 2011 NOC: Accommodation service managers (0632) 
• 2016 NOC: Accommodation service managers (0632) 

Accommodation managers are responsible for operating their establishments efficiently and economically, satisfying guests and handling any problems that arise.

In smaller establishments, accommodation managers may have a limited staff and personally direct all aspects of the operation. Managers of small motels or hostels, for example, may perform front desk clerk duties as well managerial duties (for more information, see the Hotel and Motel Desk Clerk occupation profile).

In larger establishments such as luxury hotels, general managers may have several assistant managers or department heads. The general manager's responsibilities might include:

• Establishing and controlling budgets and approving contracts
• Strategic planning (such as pricing, offers, incentives, promotions)
• Setting room rates
• Approving expenditures
• Staff training
• Establishing standards of quality service
• Marketing and public relations

Department heads under the general manager would be responsible for day-to-day operations such as:

• Accounting
• Marketing and sales
• Human resources
• Front desk services
• Food and beverage services
• Housekeeping and maintenance
• Security
• Convention services
• Reviewing and responding to online reviews
• Hotel entertainment services

Working conditions for accommodation managers are as varied as the establishments they operate. Most establishments are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and managers may work long, irregular hours in addition to always being on call for emergencies. Some managers live in their establishments and are constantly involved with operations. The work is sometimes hectic and stressful.

Unless they already have considerable work experience in the field, new graduates of hospitality education programs usually start in junior positions such as hotel desk clerk.

Years of experience and in-house training are generally required to advance to hotel management positions. A typical advancement path in a large hotel might be desk clerk, front office manager, rooms division manager, executive assistant manager and, finally, general manager. However, someone promoted to general manager from the rooms division would require food and beverage experience or they would require a knowledgeable food and beverage manager to assist them. Managers employed by chain hotels or motels may be transferred from one location to another as they are promoted.

Accommodation managers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 0632: Accommodation service managers. In Alberta, 81% of people employed in this classification work in the Accommodation and Food Services [pdf] industry.

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Accommodation and Food Services industry)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation

In Alberta, the 0632: Accommodation service managers occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.5% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 153 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the 153 new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association website: www.ahla.ca

American Hotel and Lodging Association website: www.ahla.com

Americal Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute website: www.ahlei.org

emerit website: emerit.ca

Tourism HR Canada website: tourismhr.ca

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