Overview of the hospitality and events sector in the UK
If you're excited by the idea of a career that's global in scope and full of variety, then the hospitality and events sector could be exactly what you're looking for
The events and hospitality industry focuses on creating unforgettable experiences - whether it's welcoming guests into hotels, serving great food and drink, running major festivals, or managing international conferences. With around 2.6 million people employed in the UK - 7.1% of the workforce - it's one of the country's largest industries.
What areas of hospitality can I work in?
Hospitality is diverse, offering roles in:
- accommodation - hotels, self-catering establishments, and holiday centres.
- food and beverages - restaurants, coffee shops, pubs, bars, nightclubs, and catering services.
- leisure and events - leisure attractions, corporate events, conference management, entertainment, sporting events, exhibitions, weddings, and fundraising.
Hospitality companies also hire graduates for head office roles in areas like:
Who are the main graduate employers?
Some of the major players in the UK hospitality sector include:
- Compass Group (catering)
- Greene King (pubs, restaurants, hotels)
- Hilton Hotels and Resorts
- InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
- Jurys Inn
- Marriott International
- 路Merlin Entertainments (attractions such as Alton Towers and SEA LIFE)
- Mitchells & Butlers (pubs and restaurants)
- Sodexo (catering and event management)
- The Deltic Group (bars and clubs)
- Travelodge
- Wetherspoon
- Whitbread (Premier Inn).
The sector is mostly made up of small and medium-sized businesses, particularly independent hotels and restaurants. Many pubs and bars employ fewer than ten staff.
For events management, leading UK companies include:
- Clarion Events
- Live Nation Entertainment
- London Business Conferences
- RX
- Theme Traders.
Event careers can involve working for a management firm, a venue, a supplier, or large companies like hotel chains and caterers. Some charities also recruit event managers for fundraising activities. You can even work independently by:
- becoming self-employed and running your own pub
- freelancing
- joining a franchise.
What's it like working in hospitality?
You can expect:
- Opportunities to work abroad.
- Salaries that vary depending on the organisation.
- Unsociable hours, including evenings and weekends.
- Promotion from within.
- Performance-related pay, bonuses, or commission in some roles.
For more details on typical salaries and working conditions, see our job profiles.
Do I need a related degree?
Some companies ask for a 2:1 degree and specific UCAS points, which allow you to apply directly for management roles. However, most employers are happy to hire graduates from any discipline, and hands-on experience is often more important than a related degree.
Postgraduate study in tourism, hospitality, or event management isn't essential but can demonstrate your commitment. Search for postgraduate courses in the hospitality sector.
What skills do hospitality and events employers want?
To succeed in this sector, you'll need:
- a people-centred approach and excellent customer service skills
- confidence, persuasion, and strong organisational skills
- flexibility, stamina, and a willingness to work unsocial hours
- language skills, especially if you plan to work overseas
- teamwork and collaboration abilities.
The sector is competitive, and many employers report challenges filling vacancies. Researching and developing in-demand skills can give you a competitive edge.
How can I get hospitality work experience?
Securing work experience in the sector is all about being proactive and open to different opportunities. Many employees start with part-time jobs in restaurants, cafes, pubs, or hotels, which provide hands-on experience in customer service, teamwork, and time management.
Volunteering at festivals, charity fundraisers, or university events is another great way to build event management skills while showing initiative.
If your degree includes a placement or internship option, make the most of it by choosing an employer in the hospitality or events sector.
For example, the Red Carnation Hotels Internship Programme gives students studying hospitality, tourism, culinary, aviation, or events the chance to take on a paid placement of nine to 12 months in London or Edinburgh, working in food and beverage, rooms division, or culinary. By the end of the internship, you'll be confident enough to supervise shifts and play a role in shaping the guest experience - making it a great stepping stone into a career in hospitality.
Apprenticeships in hospitality are worth exploring too, as they combine training with real-world experience.
You can also apply for seasonal roles, such as working at festivals, holiday parks, or tourist attractions, which not only give you valuable industry exposure but also help you network with potential employers.
Even smaller opportunities, like helping to organise student society events or coordinating club nights, can demonstrate transferable skills that employers look for.
How do I find a graduate job in hospitality?
Finding a graduate job in hospitality involves combining targeted applications with a flexible, proactive approach.
Many large employers, such as hotel chains, catering groups, and leisure companies, run structured graduate schemes in areas like:
- HR
- management
- marketing
- operations
- sales.
It's worth researching these early and applying directly through company websites.
For example, the De Vere Graduate Management Programme is an 18-month rotational scheme. You'll gain experience across hotel operations and specialist areas like finance, sales, and HR, supported by mentoring and leadership training. Rotations can be tailored to your career goals, and on completion you'll be supported into your first management role.
At the same time, don't overlook smaller businesses - since a large proportion of the UK hospitality sector is made up of independent hotels, restaurants, and event companies, speculative applications can be an effective way to secure opportunities.
You should also make use of job boards, recruitment agencies, and professional networking sites like LinkedIn, which often advertise roles ranging from entry-level positions to graduate management schemes.
Attending recruitment fairs or networking sessions can help you connect with employers and learn more about available opportunities.
Flexibility is important too - consider starting with a supervisory or assistant role if graduate-level schemes are competitive, as progression in hospitality is often rapid and promotion is common.
To explore opportunities, search graduate jobs in hospitality and event management.
What trends are emerging in hospitality and events?
If you're thinking about a career in hospitality and events, it's useful to know the key trends shaping the industry - and how they might affect the types of roles employers are hiring for.
One major shift is the use of technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to personalise guest experiences and make operations more efficient, such as smarter workforce scheduling. This means graduates with digital awareness or an interest in technology will have an advantage.
There's also a move away from purely transactional visits towards creating memorable experiences, with businesses offering:
- interactive activities
- live entertainment
- unique events.
As a result, employers are looking for creative and adaptable people who can help design and deliver these experiences.
Sustainability is another big priority. Companies are reducing waste, sourcing food and products ethically, and promoting their green credentials to attract customers. For students and graduates, this trend means that highlighting your awareness of sustainability - and showing how you can contribute to those efforts - can make you stand out when applying for roles.
Find out more
- 顿颈蝉肠辞惫别谤听5 skills you'll gain from customer service jobs.
- 贰虫辫濒辞谤别听hospitality jobs.
- Get the lowdown on聽event management courses.