Hotel general manager career paths in the United States

Abstract

The career paths of 114 general managers (GM) of U.S. mid-range, up-scale and luxury hotels were studied. Nearly 80% held the Assistant GM position before becoming GMs. GMs followed narrow career paths prior to becoming Assistant GMs, spending 87.5% of their time in only one department. A hotel's two major operational departments, F&B and Rooms, accounted for three-quarters of the GM career paths, with F&B representing 45%. Career paths remained stable for the three types of hotels. Career paths of younger GMs have shifted decidedly towards these two operational departments: 85.4% of the younger half followed career paths in either F&B or Rooms compared to 65% of the older GMs.