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Accommodation Manager: Occupations in Alberta - alis
When you stay at a hotel or campground, do you think about what could be done better? Are you good at managing money, planning and working with people? Then you may want to book a career as an accommodation manager.
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Occupations in Alberta

Accommodation Manager

Accommodation managers direct and control the operations of privately and publicly owned hotels, motels, campgrounds, trailer parks, camps, bed and breakfasts, hostels and post-secondary school residences.

Contents Expand All
Also Known As

General Manager, Hotel Manager, Motel Manager

NOC Codes

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

  • 0632: Accommodation Service Managers

2006 NOC-S

  • A222: Accommodation Service Managers

2011 NOC

  • 0632: Accommodation service managers

2016 NOC

  • 0632: Accommodation service managers

2021 NOC

  • 60031: Accommodation service managers

2023 OaSIS

  • 60031.00: Accommodation service managers
Duties
Updated May 14, 2021

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
Updated May 14, 2021
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

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.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Accommodation Service Managers

2006 NOC: 0632

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
DIRECTIVE

Interest in co-ordinating information to manage the operation of accommodation establishments or departments within such establishments, to implement policies and procedures, to supervise staff and to oversee staff training

METHODICAL

Interest in setting work schedules and in monitoring revenues and expenses

SOCIAL

Interest in negotiating with suppliers for the provision of materials and supplies, and with clients for the use of facilities for conventions, banquets, receptions and other functions

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated May 14, 2021

Accommodation managers need:

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Good general health, stamina and mental alertness to cope with the long, irregular hours of work
  • The ability to get along with all kinds of people
  • Leadership and decision making skills
  • The ability to adapt to changing customer needs and unexpected situations
  • The ability to remain calm while under pressure

Accommodation managers should enjoy being in charge, taking a methodical approach to their work, and negotiating with people.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Accommodation service managers

2016 NOC: 0632

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 103 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Sep 21, 2023 and Apr 26, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Address customers' complaints or concerns
Tasks: Develop and implement policies and procedures for daily operations
Tasks: Establish work schedules
Tasks: Supervise staff
Tasks: Prepare budgets and monitor revenues and expenses
Tasks: Negotiate with suppliers for the provision of materials and supplies
Tasks: Enforce policies and procedures
Tasks: Recruit and hire staff
Tasks: Negotiate with clients for the use of facilities
Tasks: Assist clients/guests with special needs
Tasks: Address customers' complaints or concerns 90
Tasks: Develop and implement policies and procedures for daily operations 89
Tasks: Establish work schedules 81
Tasks: Supervise staff 76
Tasks: Prepare budgets and monitor revenues and expenses 73
Tasks: Negotiate with suppliers for the provision of materials and supplies 66
Tasks: Enforce policies and procedures 58
Tasks: Recruit and hire staff 58
Tasks: Negotiate with clients for the use of facilities 56
Tasks: Assist clients/guests with special needs 54
Educational Requirements
Updated May 14, 2021
  • Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary

Accommodation managers should be familiar with all areas of their establishment's operations. In particular, they need sound financial management skills and a working knowledge of hospitality law and safety standards. Other requirements vary depending on the type of accommodation.

Managers of smaller commercial establishments such as motels, trailer parks and campgrounds may be entrepreneurs who have some hospitality-related work experience. Managers of specialized camps, such as those for people with disabilities may be required to have related post-secondary education and training.

The best background for hotel and motel managers is a combination of experience and education in hospitality management. It is still possible to work your way up from the bottom in hotel management by supplementing on-the-job training with continuing education. Some large hotels sponsor their own on-the-job management training programs. However, most employers look for job applicants who already have related post-secondary education such as a business degree or a 2-year diploma in hospitality management.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Academy of Learning - Calgary Central
Academy of Learning - Calgary NE
Academy of Learning - Edmonton Downtown
Academy of Learning - Edmonton South
Academy of Learning - Edmonton West
Academy of Learning - Medicine Hat
Academy of Learning - Red Deer
AGA Academy
Bay River College
Canadian Health & Business College
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Calgary City Centre
Centre for Hospitality Studies and Research
Cypress College - Culinary Campus
East-West College - Edmonton
ERP College
Glenbow College
Keyano College
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Olds College
Reeves College - Calgary North
Reeves College - Calgary South
Reeves College - Edmonton
Reeves College - Edmonton North
Reeves College Edmonton South
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Sundance College
Sundance College - Edmonton
Thompson Rivers University

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated May 14, 2021
  • Certification Not Regulated

Tourism HR Canada (formerly the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council, or CTHRC) offers emerit voluntary certification through the emerit website for hotel general managers. The Hotel General Manager certification leads to the Certified Hotel General Manager (CHGM) designation, which is recognized across Canada and requires recertification every 3 years.

Another optional designation is Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA). It is offered by the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) and is recognized worldwide. Recertification is required every 5 years.

Employment & Advancement
Updated May 14, 2021

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.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 0632: Accommodation service managers occupational group, 82.3% of people work in:

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

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OCCinfo

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.
  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

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 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.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

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

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated May 14, 2021

Salaries for accommodation managers vary widely depending on the size and nature of the establishment and the manager's responsibilities and qualifications.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Accommodation service managers

2016 NOC: 0632
Average Wage
$30.57
Per Hour
Average Salary
$61,512.00
Per Year
Average Hours
38.9
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.9
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
 2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 0632 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $15.00 $45.44 $27.94 $25.96
Overall $18.00 $55.28 $30.57 $27.04
Top $20.00 $57.50 $32.51 $28.89

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing
Health Care & Social Assistance
Accommodation & Food Services
ALL INDUSTRIES $61,512
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing $69,615
Health Care & Social Assistance $57,245
Accommodation & Food Services $60,518

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
24%
24%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
24%
24%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
1%
1%
Vacancy Rate
4%
Related High School Subjects
  • English Language Arts
  • Languages (other than English)
  • Business, Administration, Finance and IT
    • Financial Management
    • Management and Marketing
  • Health, Recreation and Human Services
    • Human and Social Services
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
  • Communications
  • Personal and Food Services
Other Sources of Information
Updated May 14, 2021

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

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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