Kammelh Kishore, Founder & Managing Director, RedSKY Hospitality
The scarcity of skilled Revenue Managers in the flourishing hotel industry is indeed a puzzle worth dissecting. Despite a forecasted 10.63% growth in overall demand, the industry grapples with a shortage of adept individuals capable of steering revenue optimization amid this surge. While discussions often revolve around workforce migration from the hospitality sector or the challenges posed by the Gen Z workforce, I believe the root of this scarcity lies within our foundational training structures.
Examining various Hotel Management Institutes in India, one glaring absence emerges: the lack of emphasis on Hotel Revenue Management in their curriculum. The educational focus predominantly revolves around Front Office, Housekeeping, Food and Beverage Service, and Kitchen operations. Consequently, the typical Revenue Manager in India often arises from outside the hospitality sector or evolves from a Front Office background. It’s not uncommon for hotels to delegate Revenue Management responsibilities to individuals within the Front Office or sales department, further amplifying the shortage of specialized Revenue Managers.
Moreover, when individuals seek to upskill through international online courses in Revenue Management, they encounter theoretical knowledge gaps without substantial practical experience. To bridge this deficit, a pivotal shift is necessary: the introduction of Revenue Management as a distinct subject within Hotel Management colleges and its elevation to a major department in Industrial training programs. A competent Revenue Manager wields the power to significantly impact a hotel’s profitability; hence, training should encompass understanding market trends, navigating complex data, and maximizing these systems for profit.
The collaboration of seasoned industry leaders in nurturing fresh talent holds the key to salvaging the future of this industry. Integrating practical experience and real-world scenarios into educational modules can groom individuals adept at handling the intricate landscape of Revenue Management. Additionally, as Artificial Intelligence becomes increasingly prevalent in hospitality, it acts as a force multiplier when combined with human intelligence. However, existing AI-driven systems often pose hurdles—being either financially inaccessible to standalone hotels or too complex for average users to comprehend and manage.
At RedSKY Hospitality, we’ve encountered and addressed these challenges firsthand. Our approach involves nurturing fresh talent by imparting specialized Revenue Management skills and developing budget-friendly, user-friendly pricing recommendation systems like Precium. By intertwining AI and human intelligence effectively, we aim to equip individuals with the prowess to navigate complex systems and foresee demand accurately. Ultimately, rectifying the foundational educational gaps and elevating the significance of Revenue Management training within the industry’s developmental frameworks can be the cornerstone in resolving this persistent shortage. How might we collectively direct our focus towards reinforcing these fundamentals to tackle this dearth of Revenue Managers effectively?
