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Tourism & Hospitality

Hotel / Lodge Manager

You run the place guests remember for the rest of their lives.

Starting salary
R12 000 – R22 000
Job demand
Steady demand
Key subjects
Tourism, Business Studies
Steady demand

What do they do?

You run the place guests remember for the rest of their lives.

A day in the life

You manage staff and bookings, handle guest issues, control budgets and keep standards high.

Skills you need

  • Leadership
  • Hospitality
  • Budgeting
  • Problem solving

School subjects that help

  • Tourism
  • Business Studies
  • English
  • Mathematics or Maths Literacy

How long does it take?

3 main steps after school, usually 1–3 years of study, or longer at university.

Study path

  1. 1High school
  2. 2Hospitality management diploma or degree
  3. 3Supervisor
  4. 4Manager

Ways in: University of Technology · TVET College · Work-based training · Entrepreneurship. University is not the only route.

Where can I study?

  • Cape Peninsula University of Technology
  • Tshwane University of Technology
  • Durban University of Technology
  • Nelson Mandela University
  • Walter Sisulu University
  • TVET Colleges nationwide

Admission requirements differ by institution, always check the official website.

What can I earn?

Entry level

R12 000 – R22 000

per month (estimate)

Mid career

R25 000 – R45 000

per month (estimate)

Experienced / senior

R50 000 – R100 000+

per month (estimate)

Estimated salary ranges only. Salaries vary based on experience, qualification, industry, location and employer.

How to start preparing now

  • • Get a holiday job in hospitality
  • • Learn another language
  • • Practise customer service

Try this career

Plan a two-day tourist itinerary for a visitor to your town.

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This tool is designed to help you explore career possibilities. It does not replace professional career counselling, school guidance or official university admission requirements.