Hotel Jobs

The industry is seeing a rebound, with some hotels reaching pre-pandemic occupancy levels. However, this growth isn't uniform – with some areas, such as KwaZulu-Natal, experiencing slower recovery, particularly in the luxury segment.

Domestic travel is playing a significant role in the industry's recovery and growth, and hotels are increasingly seen to be using technology such as Property Management Systems (PMS) to improve efficiency and the guest experience. Additionally, hotels are diversifying their offerings and focusing on sustainable tourism practices to attract a wider range of increasingly eco-friendly travellers.

Notably, the industry faces challenges such as the impact of global economic fluctuations, regional disparities, and the need to adapt to evolving guest expectations. While projections indicate continued growth, leaders in this market are focusing their attention on attracting both international and domestic travellers; not one, or the other.

Specific examples and trends include:

• South African hotels reporting a 56.8 percent occupancy rate in April 2025, a 1.8 percent decrease from April 2024, but with a 13.9 percent increase in ADR to R1 952.07. According to Tourism News South Africa, this has resulted in an 11.8 percent increase in RevPAR to R1 109.53;
• Four-star hotels have shown particularly strong performance, and regions such as the Western Cape and Gauteng are experiencing significant growth;
• and
• The projected revenue in the hotel market is expected to reach US$1.21 billion during the course of 2025, with an annual growth rate of 5.13 percent (CAGR 2025 to 2029).

South Africa’s hospitality industry offers a broad spectrum of hotel jobs, ranging from entry-level roles to high-level executive positions. Common job categories include:

• front office: receptionist, concierge, front office manager;
• housekeeping: room attendant, housekeeping supervisor, executive housekeeper;
• food and beverage: waitron, barista, bartender, restaurant manager;
• kitchen and culinary: chef de partie, sous chef, executive chef;
• administration: reservations agent, sales executive, revenue manager;
• management: duty manager, hotel manager, general manager;
• events and marketing: events coordinator, marketing manager;
• and
• spa and wellness: massage therapist, spa manager.

Many large hotels also offer corporate positions in human resources (HR), finance, and IT.

See for interest HR jobs, finance jobs, and IT jobs.

For entry-level positions, formal qualifications are not always necessary – although Grade 12 (a matric) is typically expected. However, for supervisory or management roles, hotel-specific qualifications are highly valued.

Popular qualifications to consider pursuing include:

• a National Certificate in Hospitality Reception (NQF Level 4), which is offered at False Bay TVET College’s Muizenberg Campus, Northlink College, Capital Hotel School, and the College of Cape Town;
• a Diploma in Hospitality Management, which is on the agenda at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) via their Cape Town Hotel School, the International Hotel School that has campuses in Johannesburg and Pretoria, and the Durban University of Technology;
• and
• an advanced Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality or Hotel Management, which is available at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)’s Cape Town Hotel School (together with an Advanced Diploma and a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management), or the IIE School of Hospitality & Service Management, which has campuses in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and provides qualifications ranging from Higher Certificates to Bachelor's Degrees.

Short courses in customer service, food safety, wine knowledge, and/or barista skills can also vastly enhance your employability.

See also for interest, tourism jobs, and tour-guide-jobs.

There are several respected institutions offering hotel and hospitality studies in South Africa, a few of which are already mentioned above.

Public universities and TVET colleges include:

• the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), which offers diplomas and degrees in Hospitality Management;
• the Durban University of Technology (DUT), which is well regarded for its Department of Hospitality and Tourism;
• the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), which offers diplomas, together with a BTech in Hospitality;
• the False Bay TVET College, which offers National Certificates in Hospitality;
• and
• the Central Johannesburg TVET College, which offers a National N-Diploma in Hospitality.

Private colleges, on the other hand, encompass:

• the International Hotel School (IHS), which offers internationally recognised diplomas and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management;
• Capsicum Culinary Studio, which is a great option for those focusing on food and kitchen-related careers;
• the Institute of Culinary Arts (ICA) in Stellenbosch, which provides boutique training with a strong practical component;
• and
• Swiss Hotel School (Randburg), which is known for its European-standard hospitality training within a local context.

A career in hotels can be incredibly dynamic. Many general managers start off as waiters or receptionists, and steadily but unwaveringly work their way up. Here are four typical career ladders seen in the global hotel industry:

• front desk clerk → shift leader → front office manager → hotel manager;
• room attendant → housekeeping supervisor → executive housekeeper;
• commis chef → chef de partie → sous chef → executive chef (read more about Cape Town executive chefs and their favourite food trends);
• and
• waiter → supervisor → restaurant manager → food and beverage manager.

Specialists can also move into hotel consulting, event planning, or brand management – depending on their interests, talents, and skills.

Salaries vary significantly based on position, location, and the type of hotel at which you are based. Below is a table that offers a general guideline for each key role:

Luxury hotels, and those in major cities or tourist hubs (e.g. Cape Town, Durban, Sandton) tend to offer more competitive wage packages – but jobs at these establishments are more difficult to secure.

South African hotel qualifications, especially those from internationally accredited institutions, are recognised globally. For this reason, and because South Africans tend to be such cheerful hard workers, we are generally in high demand as a nation across all of the below hotel and hospitality opportunities:

• on cruise ships, such as MSC Cruises;
• at luxury resorts in the Middle East, via agencies such as Hospitality Jobs Africa;
• at game lodges across Africa, via agencies such as Measured Ability;
• and
• at hotels in the UK (Red Carnation Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, and TUI Group, via agencies such as Hospitality Jobs Africa and UK Hospo Co), Australia (such as Hyatt Hotels, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Sheraton Hotels, Accor Hotel Group, Hilton Hotels, and Resorts in the Whitsundays/Great Barrier Reef, via Epic Exchange), and Canada (via platforms such as Workopolis).

English fluency is a major advantage in securing these opportunities, while the international experience gained is likely to dramatically boost your career path once you have completed your travels and settled into a hotel or hospitality job back in South Africa.

See, for interest, hospitality jobs.

Several top hotel groups operate in South Africa and are considered excellent employers on the basis of their internship programmes, training academies, and the opportunities for internal promotion that they provide to in-house staff members. See below for a selection of South Africa’s top international and local/luxury hotel brands:

International brands include:

• Marriott International, which includes Protea Hotels, Marriott Hotels, and Autograph Collection;
• Hilton Hotels, which incorporates Hilton Sandton and Hilton Cape Town;
• Radisson Hotel Group, which is known for the Radisson Blu and Park Inn brands;
• Accor Hotels, which encompasses brands that include Fairmont, Novotel, and Pullman;
• and
• Hyatt Hotels, which offers excellent global training opportunities.

Local and luxury brands encompass:

• Tsogo Sun Hotels (Southern Sun), which is one of the largest local hotel groups;
• Sun International, which is known for Sun City and The Table Bay properties;
• The Royal Portfolio, which consists of luxury lodges and boutique hotels;
• Red Carnation Hotels, which includes The Oyster Box and Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa as its signature locations;
• and
• Singita and Londolozi, which are considered renowned luxury safari lodges with global reputations.

The hotel job market is competitive, but also filled with volumes of opportunity. Large cities and tourist areas see high competition for top positions, but there's always a demand for reliable, service-oriented staff in smaller towns, at game lodges, and in rural resorts.

What then sets one candidate apart from the next? Here’s what you should be offering the employer, when it comes to a greatly in-demand position:

• excellent customer service and communication skills;
• flexibility, and willingness to work weekends and holidays;
• knowledge of multiple languages (e.g. French, German, and/or Mandarin);
• and
• experience in the service levels that are required in luxury or international settings.

Technical skills matter, but soft skills are often what can make or break a career. Key soft skills to hone, or acquire, include:

• teamwork and collaboration;
• patience and resilience under pressure;
• attention to detail;
• a strong work ethic;
• multitasking;
• problem-solving;
• and
• great dollops of cultural sensitivity.

Consider signing up for a course offered by Edge Training, if your soft skills generally require a little polishing.

It all depends on the role. If you work on the front desk, your day will involve greeting guests, checking in them and/or out, handling complaints, and answering phones.

Housekeeping staff members generally clean the rooms, report maintenance issues, and stock the necessary guest supplies, while individuals in food and beverage positions prepare beverages, set tables, serve meals, and clear up afterwards.

If you’re one of the chefs in the kitchen, your role will include stocking and prepping food, managing the kitchen staff who are more junior than you, and ensuring hygiene standards meet the requisite health and safety standards.

More senior management roles, or those that hold the most responsibility, encompass overseeing the various hotel departments, handling budgets, and ensuring customers leave in a relaxed and satisfied state.

While shifts vary from week to week, you should expect weekend and holiday work to be the norm within this dynamic and bustling industry.

There sure are – many hotels offer structured internship and learnership programmes, in partnership with colleges or the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

Examples (some of which have already been mentioned above), include:

• Marriott’s Voyage Programme;
• Tsogo Sun Learnerships;
• Accor Academy Programmes;
• and
• the International Hotel School’s workplace integration model.

These programmes offer real work experience alongside valuable mentorship, and often lead to permanent positions at these, or other, hospitality establishments.

It is more important than many people realise. While English is the primary language spoken in most South African hotels, your knowledge of other languages (especially Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, French, German, and Mandarin) will prove a major asset along your career path, particularly in roles involving international guests. When calamity strikes, most people prefer to communicate in their mother tongue!

If you thrive in high-energy environments, the rewards and job satisfaction will be high in a hotel and/or hospitality-related job. However, be prepared for:

• long hours, that include early starts, late finishes, and plenty of night shifts;
• high levels of stress, especially during peak seasons or major events;
• the need to placate the most difficult of guests from time to time, although most people will be understanding and pleasant;
• limited time off over major holiday seasons, which can be tricky for your partner and/or family;
• and
• career stagnation if you don’t actively upskill, or make it known that you have your eyes on the nearest upwards career rung.

Read this article for more on managing stress within the hotel industry.

Benefits vary by employer but tend to include some, or all (if you are fortunate) of the following perks.

• staff meals;
• uniforms and laundry facilities;
• accommodation (especially at game lodges);
• medical aid contributions;
• tips and/or service charges (especially in F&B roles);
• performance bonuses;
• training and development opportunities;
• and
• travel discounts, when you eventually get to take some much-needed rest and relaxation time.

For those already working in a hotel, you can build a path towards management by following the five steps laid out below:

• upskilling through diplomas or short courses;
• taking on leadership roles, even informally (e.g. training new staff members, acting as a mentor when required);
• volunteering for cross-department exposure, by liaising with other departments and taking on tasks that others prefer to sidestep;
• finding a personal management mentor in your workplace, whom you can chat to and who gives you advice related to your onwards journey;
• and
• joining professional networks such, as the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA), so that you’re ready to tap into management opportunities as these develop around you.

With South Africa focusing on rebuilding its tourism industry post-pandemic and with local travel steadily increasing, the hospitality sector is rebounding. The Department of Tourism aims to create over 21 000 new jobs by 2030 in tourism-related industries.

Sustainable tourism, wellness resorts, and digital nomad destinations are also on the rise, offering new career options that you should ideally seek out and keep your eyes open for as your career progresses.

The hotel and hospitality space is seeing a surge in demand for roles focused on technology, sustainability, and personalised experiences, alongside traditional positions such as chefs and event planners. Trends include the rise of remote work and bleisure travel (a portmanteau of "business" and "leisure," referring to the practice of combining business trips with personal leisure activities), which have been influencing roles from community managers to workspace designers. Additionally, there's a growing emphasis on employee wellbeing and upskilling initiatives.

Here's a more detailed look at the trends and roles:

Firstly, in the technology and digitalisation space, hotels are increasingly using AI for tasks such as easy answers to questions and personalised recommendations (via chatbots). You can expect to see a contactless check-in process more and more, as automation and online systems streamline what was previously an arduous paper-based process. Furthermore, roles focused on social media, content marketing, and targeted campaigns for hotels and hospitality establishments are growing – so also take a look at digital marketing jobs, if this is something you’re a whizz-kid at.

When it comes to sustainability and eco-consciousness, hotels are looking for professionals to implement and oversee sustainable practices, necessitating the hiring of a sustainability manager; and an emphasis is being placed on locally sourced foods and products as guests begin to expect these.

A new role is opening up for guest relations managers, who focus their time on building relationships and providing highly unique and tailored guest services. If you’ve set your sights on a concierge role, you’re likely to be involved on an growing basis in creating unique and memorable experiences for those who have booked to stay at your establishment.

Additionally, people taking leave and staying at hotels far away from home need to destress from work and the other pressures of home; or, post-surgery, if they’ve opted to have a procedure done in the vicinity of their holiday destination. This is often referred to as wellness tourism, which is a new and growing area for many hotels – as they consider expanding their health and wellness offerings and creating roles for retreat managers, spa and massage therapists, fitness managers, and personal trainers.

See also fitness jobs, for interest.

Evolving culinary trends are also an important influencer when it comes to hotel roles. Demand remains high for skilled culinary professionals, such as chefs – especially those with expertise in innovative and unique dining experiences; while the focus on seamlessly managing restaurant operations should never be underestimated.

Community managers are being hired and tasked with the important operation of creating a sense of community and facilitating networking opportunities for remote workers staying at hotels, together with those attempting a bleisure trip for the first time; and workspace designers will need to get to grips with designing and managing spaces that are functional and inspiring for those attempting to work on laptops some of the day, and party up a storm for the remainder.

As roles change and evolve in the hotel industry, so key brands are investing in training programmes that are likely to equip their staff members with important new skills – such as becoming au fait with the latest booking platforms and digital technology formats, and offering customer service that is looked on favourably by the most tech-savvy and impatient generations of guests. Importantly, hotel general managers will need to be on the lookout for in-house staff members who look poised to rise to the challenge of these new roles, while hiring to replace any gaps they leave in their wake. Leadership skills cannot be overemphasised in this, of all, industry sectors.

Many hotel professionals eventually start their own ventures, whether it be opening a guesthouse or boutique hotel, starting a catering company or hospitality consultancy, or offering tour operation and/or travel coordination services.

Experience, together with the connections you’ve built up in the hotel and hospitality niche over the years, will be sure to prove extremely useful if you’re destined to be your own boss in an endeavour such as one of these.

A career in hotel management or hospitality in South Africa is vibrant, fast-paced, and globally mobile. Whether you're a recent matriculant looking to start with a housekeeping or front-office role, or a university graduate eyeing the executive management suite, there's room to grow and thrive in this vibrant industry.