What is hospitality?
It is the act of being friendly and welcoming to guests or visitors. Nowadays hospitality is a worldwide industry which has become one of the biggest employers in the world, requiring a wide range of skills.
The word ‘hospitality’ comes from the Latin word ‘hospes’ meaning ‘guest’, ‘visitor’ or ‘stranger’.
Hospitality sectors
The hospitality industry is divided into 2 sectors:
- The commercial sector
- The catering services sector
The commercial sector includes those parts of the industry where the sale of food and drink and/or providing accommodation is the main purpose. The aim is to make a profit.
The catering services sector may provide the same goods and services as the Includes those parts of the hospitality industry where the sale of food and drink and/or providing accommodation is the main purpose. but this is not the main purpose of the organisation. The provision of food, drink or accommodation is a secondary or indirect service.
One way of remembering the difference is that the Includes those parts of the hospitality industry where the provision of food, drink or accommodation is a secondary or indirect service and not the main purpose of the organisation. provides an additional service within a different organisation or business like a hospital, school or cinema. It may or may not make a profit.
Within hospitality the term outlet is often used instead of business but these two words can mean the same thing.