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If you're interested in a career in hotel management, consider expanding your hospitality training or degree to include learning about the best practices in sustainability and ecotourism. Many of the major players in the hospitality business are striving to meet the expectations of today's environmentally savvy tourists, here in the U.S. and around the world.

"Ecotourism is really starting to catch on," says Karen Moore, an environmental specialist with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. "It makes financial sense for hotels. The environmental movement in this country is growing, and it is already big around the world." Lisa Cole, spokeswoman for Hilton Hotels in Miami agrees: "This is the No. 1 trend in the hotel industry. It's an issue that has moved to the top of every one's list across all our brands."

Hotels Go Green

Florida, with its $57 billion tourism industry, has a state administered program (Florida Green Lodging Program) that recognizes Florida hotels for conservation efforts--using energy efficient lighting and appliances, composting, recycling, and reclaiming water for landscape irrigation--to name a few. These laudable ecotourism efforts are driven not only by rapidly rising energy bills but by positive customer feedback. In addition to Florida, most other states as well as a number of countries worldwide offer one or more green hotels.

Education in Hospitality or Hotel Management Is Key

Although some hotels do promote from within, many only hire personnel who have completed specialized programs in some aspect of hotel or hospitality management.  Some only hire those with associate's, bachelor's, or master's degrees. Hospitality management training usually provides a solid combination of managerial theory and practical, hands-on educational experience.  Consider earning your online degree as a way to keep your current full-time job.  By doing so, you will have added valuable credentials to your resume in no time.

As the demand for responsible tourism increases worldwide, hotel managers will need the skills and knowledge to implement conservation efforts in their own hotels in order to remain competitive. Training at a reputable hospitality school--either on campus or online--can put you on the road to responsible and eco-friendly hotel management.

Sources

• Florida Green Lodging Program

• OrlandoSentinel.com

• State Of Florida.com