Edgewater College
Hotel/Motel Manager Kaiwhakahaere Hōtera/Mōtera
Hotel/motel managers plan, organise and control the operation of a hotel, motel or hostel, including management of staff.
Hotel/motel managers may do or oversee some or all of the following tasks:
- hire, train and manage staff and teams of people (especially in larger hotels)
- greet customers and check them in for their stay
- take client bookings for rooms and on local tours and attractions
- manage the hotel/motel website
- plan budgets and keep accounts
- ensure that health and safety requirements are met
- organise and co-ordinate events
- market the establishment.
Hotel/motel managers of smaller establishments may also do or oversee the following tasks:
- serve customers food and beverages
- cook or provide meals
- stock-take, order and price liquor and food
- uphold liquor laws, such as making sure there are no under-age drinkers on the premises
- clean rooms and grounds and do laundry.
Physical Requirements
Hotel/motel managers need to be reasonably fit and healthy, as they spend a large part of the day on their feet. They also need to have a neat and tidy appearance.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for hotel/motel managers includes:
- work in the hospitality or tourism industries
- work in sales and marketing
- any work requiring good communication skills.
Hotel/motel managers often gain supervisory or management experience in the hotel industry by working in roles such as food and beverage manager or executive housekeeper.
Personal Qualities
Hotel/motel managers need to:
- have excellent people and customer service skills
- be able to relate to people from a range of cultures
- be able to accept criticism
- have good leadership skills
- have decision-making and problem-solving skills
- be able to remain calm in emergencies.
Skills
Hotel/motel managers need to have:
- skill in staff management
- basic computer skills
- knowledge of the area they work in, including local tourist attractions and services
- knowledge of health and safety regulations
- knowledge of various types of liquor and liquor licensing laws
- business skills, including accounting and budgeting
- basic knowledge of building maintenance.
Conditions
Hotel/motel managers:
- usually work long and irregular hours including weekends, evenings and most public holidays
- usually work indoors, from an office or lobby
- may live on site and be on call
- may need to travel to other areas to carry out promotional activities.
Subject Recommendations
There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a hotel/motel manager. However, useful subjects include English, accounting and economics.
A tertiary entrance qualification is required to enter further training.
Related Options
Hotel/Motel Managers can earn around $60K-$80K per year.
Pay for hotel/motel managers varies depending on experience, location and the type and size of establishment they work in.
- Motel managers usually earn between $60,000 and $80,000 a year.
- Hotel managers usually earn between $80,000 and $100,000 a year.
Some hotel/motel managers also receive accommodation on-site.
Source: careers.govt.nz research; and Seek, 2023.
With experience, hotel/motel managers can progress into other management roles in the hospitality industry or run their own business.
Hotel/motel managers may also specialise in the following areas:
- Bar Manager
- Bar managers are responsible for the running of a pub or tavern and ensure that customers receive good service.
- Hostel Manager
- Hostel managers supervise the running of hostels, backpackers, boarding houses or guest houses.
- Hotel Manager
- Hotel managers plan, organise and control the operation of a hotel. Hotel operational managers oversee the day-to-day running of a hotel, while hotel general managers also make long-term plans for the hotel.
- Motel Manager
- Motel managers own and operate motels.
Years Of Training
There are no specific entry requirements to become a hotel/motel manager.
However there are some preferred requirements, especially in larger establishments, such as:
- a Bachelor's degree in business studies, hotel management and/or hospitality management, or another related qualification such as a marketing degree
- a National Diploma in Hospitality – Operational Management (Level 5).
Host responsibility
If the premises are licensed to sell alcohol, the hotel/motel manager must be at least 20 years old and hold a manager's licence. To apply for this, you must hold a Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ), which is administered by ServiceIQ.
A driver's licence is also preferred, as hotel/motel managers may need to pick up necessary items or drive home intoxicated people as part of their host responsibility.
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