Choosing a good hotel when travelling or a restaurant when hungry is always a dilemma. The establishment should be clean, comfortable, and close to places they have to be. So, how can you differentiate a good hotel or restaurant from an average one; a luxury hotel from a basic one? From its rating, of course. Have you ever heard of restaurants that are rated 3-star, 5-star, etc? You know who rates these establishments and on what basis? Hospitality Inspectors, of course.
As the name suggests, Hospitality Inspectors inspect a lodging or dining establishment and rate it according to certain industry standards. They ensure that along with the food and rooms, other aspects of the establishment are up to code. Safety codes, building codes, food preparation areas, cleanliness, sanitation, and other important entities’ adherence is checked by Hospitality Inspectors.
Most inspections are carried out unannounced. This is because a hotel or restaurant may update itself if the staff are aware of the inspector’s arrival. An impromptu inspection will give the inspector more insights on the actual living and working conditions of the establishment.
Roles and responsibilities
The core responsibility of the Hospitality Inspector is to evaluate and ensure that the establishment adheres to set rules. They should be well-versed in different laws and business practices. This will ensure that the inspection is unbiased and written from an experienced point-of-view.
Restaurant Inspectors have to make reports and send it to local health and safety departments. This will help these bodies determine if the hotel or restaurant is the best choice for travellers and/or food connoisseurs.
Based on their report, hotels are assigned ratings that will also determine their market value and standing in the industry. Similarly, restaurants are rated, the most famous being the Michelin star, to describe the quality of food and the restaurant overall. That’s why you always see the best-rated hotels having the best amenities and customer service. The best restaurants always serving delicious and appetising food. All thanks to the efforts of Hospitality Inspectors.
Skills required
Discretion is one of the most vital skills of a Hospitality Inspector. They should be able to blend in with guests yet still be able to conduct their evaluation. While communication is not part of the job description, they should possess good writing skills. This is mainly because they have to write clear, detailed reports of their inspection. Of course, if they are talking to staff, they must be able to communicate fairly well. Other skills that are expected of Hospitality Inspectors include,
- A keen eye for detail
- Excellent knowledge of the industry
- A good palate [when evaluating food]
- A sense of impartiality and objectivity
- Experience in the hospitality industry
- A whole lot of patience
Educational qualifications
Hospitality Inspectors usually have a degree in Hospitality Management or a related field. They have to have some experience working in the hospitality industry to understand well the work they are assigned. A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Hospitality Management is one of the best ways you can enter the industry. Subjects that are a must to learn in the hospitality management include Business Law, Tourism, Human Resource Management, Consumer Behaviour, along with technical subjects such as accounting and statistics.
Salary
The salary of a Hospitality Inspector depends on the type of work and experience involved. Being a highly niche and vital role, you can expect lucrative and rewarding gains from it. Becoming a Hospitality Inspector offers you many perks, along with the salary. You get to travel to different restaurants, experience their food, stay in luxury hotels, and meet a barrage of different people. With the right amount of experience, reputation, and connections you can even become a celebrated name in the hospitality world.
