Hospitality and Tourism Jobs and MBA Programs in Iowa

Iowa has plenty of educational and career opportunities for hotel managers. There are currently 500 jobs for hotel managers in Iowa and that number is growing. A 16 percent bump in the number of jobs is projected to put the figure at 1,400 by 2016. This exceeds the national growth trend for hotel managers. National projections show a rise of just four percent over the next 10 years. Hotel managers plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that provides lodging and other accommodations.

Iowa photo by Bill Whittaker

The income for hotel managers is $19 per hour or $38,000 per year on average in Iowa. Nationally, their income is $25 hourly or $52,000 per year on average.

Iowa, nicknamed the Hawkeye State, has seen its population grow 2.8 percent to 3,007,856 over the last decade. Des Moines is the state capital. In 2008, the total number of jobs was 2,025,350 and the average annual income in Iowa was $37,509, which is up from $35,755 the previous year. Unemployment increased to 6.0 percent in 2009, a jump of 1.6 percentage points from the previous year. The number of residents with a college degree is 21.2 percent, which is under the national average.

Machinery manufacturing, mining machinery manufacturing, grain milling and farm supplies merchant wholesalers are the top employing fields in Iowa.

One of the many things Iowa is known for, Strawberry Point is the home of the world's largest strawberry. Iowa has many unique characteristics, but one fun fact in particular is The Saint Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville is the only basilica in the United States situated outside a major metropolitan area.

Hospitality and Tourism

Hotel managers plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that provides lodging and other accommodations.

They regularly inspect guest rooms and grounds for cleanliness and appearance. They also participate in financial efforts such as the setting of room rates, budgets, and allocation of funds to departments.

They are required to pay attention to ongoing situations and monitor them as they develop. Also, they must note the reactions and responses of others in both work and social situations.

Hotel managers should be able to listen to and understand others in meetings and read and understand documents and reports.

In order to be successful in the workplace, hotel managers must believe in cooperation and coordination and have strong self control in the face of challenging situations.