Hotel Operations Management: Tactics for Profitability
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| Hotel Operations Management | |
| Dates: | June 25-July 16, 2011 (3 weeks) |
| Credits: | 3 (see course) |
| Eligibility: | Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors (see eligibility requirements) |
| Status: | This program is now full and no longer accepting applications. |
Overview
This first-class introduction to hotel operations is taught at Cornell's world-renowned School of Hotel Administration, currently ranked number one in the world for hospitality management. During the program, you'll:
- explore the world's largest and most dynamic industry,
- develop your business, management, and leadership experience, and
- refine your computer, communication, and analytical skills.
The hospitality industry—which includes hotels, resorts, restaurants, food service businesses, casinos, cruise ships, clubs, transportation, and tourism—is a 3.5 trillion dollar, high-growth service-industry within the global economy. It touches everyone. Through presentations, case studies, research, guest speakers, computer simulations, and more, this program will introduce you to the scope of the hospitality industry, to the major players, and to the market forces at play in this competitive field.
First, you'll develop a framework for understanding the hospitality industry. You'll examine the primary business models and ownership structures in the industry and identify the values that drive luxury, mid-price, budget, traditional brand, franchise, and independent hotels. You'll also become familiar with the operating strategies and structures of some of the largest hotel companies--including Wyndham Worldwide, InterContinental, Marriott International, Accor, Choice, Hilton, Best Western, Starwood, Carlson, and Hyatt.
Next, you'll focus on an individual hotel operation to learn more about hotel departments and their management, people, functions, and influence on the guest experience. To understand how revenues and expenses are managed, you'll review a "typical" full-service hotel's financial statement.
Finally, you'll use the acclaimed CHESS Hotel Simulation to operate a virtual 250-room hotel. Through this advanced simulation you'll learn how to maximize your hotel's revenues and profits while also meeting the needs of your guests and your shareholders. To conclude the course, you'll analyze your hotel's financial information and present a business plan.
Throughout the program you'll develop professional and effective oral and written business communication skills, learn to write a concise and well-organized business report, and practice Microsoft Office 2010 skills in our state-of-the-art computing lab. You'll also hear about hospitality careers and the real challenges and rewards of working in this exciting industry.
This program is taught by faculty from Cornell's School of Hotel Administration. "The Hotel School" is the first school in the U.S. to offer college-level education in hospitality management and is the only hospitality program in the Ivy League. It focuses on preparing students for career success at the higher levels of management as well as producing successful entrepreneurs.
Hotel Operations Management combines elements from several required freshman courses at the Hotel School. The instructors, Reneta McCarthy, academic director, and Mark McCarthy, between them have four degrees from The Hotel School, twenty years of operations experience in the hospitality industry, and an additional twenty years of teaching experience at the Hotel School.
"Attending Summer College at Cornell helped me gain knowledge in the hospitality industry, a subject that I was interested in without having had experience in the field. The CHESS hotel simulation program was what I liked best about the course. It gave an overall idea of what it is like to manage and operate a hotel. Summer College has also helped me gain experience in college life, learning how to manage work, courses, and social life in college." — Nicolas Klocanas
"My course was just perfect — perfect professors, TAs, and students. We all collaborated to make the most of our time at Cornell University. I also liked the office hours, where if we had any concerns or questions, we were helped immediately."
— Hyemin Lee
"I liked that our professors got to know every one of us. Also, the class was full of information that I knew nothing about. But what I liked best was how passionate Mark and Reneta McCarthy were about what they taught, that made it much more fun to learn! The knowledge that I gained both in and out of the classroom made be a better student and person. Cornell is a great place with amazing professors, challenging academics, and a gorgeous campus." — Debi Lindsey
"This program provided me with the most challenging, rewarding, and enlightening experience of my life. Reneta and Mark McCarthy are truly outstanding. Their professionalism, knowledge, and enthusiasm made me eager to participate in class and to become excited about the School of Hotel Administration." — Stefanie Comins