After arriving in Paris, the past few days have certainly been a whirlwind. I have spent the majority of my time getting to know my fellow interns (who come from other universities such as UVA, Wake Forest, and UMD), through orientations and group activities around Paris. We have used this time before the start of our internships to get a few of the more touristy activities out of the way, such as a ride on a bateau mouche and a visit to the Palace of Versailles. Due to the country’s national celebration of Whit Monday, or the day after the Catholic celebration of Pentecost, my internship will not begin until Tuesday, 30 May, giving me ample time to reflect on the industry in which I will be working.

My internship at l’Apostrophe Hotel will be in the hospitality industry, or l’hôtellerie, as it is known in French. This is part of the considerable 8% of the country’s GDP that is generated by tourism. France is the most visited country in the world, boasting a staggering 90 million international tourist arrivals prior to the pandemic in 2019, a number that is quickly being recovered as the major setbacks from Covid are beginning to abate. Given that this industry is such a vital part of the French economy, it is crucial that those working in hotels and other tourism-based businesses are well-suited to their jobs.

Like all managers, it is crucial for managers in the hospitality industry to have certain hard skills in business, such as accounting, finance, and some HR skills as well. Some soft skills are also necessary for being a manager in any business, such as leadership and industry awareness. Hospitality is directly linked to tourism, both domestically and internationally, and it is important for managers to stay up-to-date on any trends that are influencing when, where, and how tourists are traveling to which destinations. In addition, managers in hospitality should pay close attention to any actions taken by competitors, whether that is price changes or the offering of new services. It is crucial for managers to be aware of what offerings and features are necessary to keep their business competitive.

Along with the basic skills of all managers, those in hospitality should have a few particular skills to help them thrive in the industry. For one, high organization is sure to benefit those working in hotels. With today’s technology, reservations and requests from clients come in numerous forms, whether that is directly to the hotel or through third-party firms. Requests for additional services from clients are also constantly coming in, so it is imperative for managers to be able to keep all of this information organized to ensure the smooth operation of the business. If these things are left in a disarray, rooms may not be prepared in time, clients may not receive what they requested, and overall a feeling of dissatisfaction among clients is sure to ensue.

Intercultural skills, particularly communication, also play a crucial role in one’s success in the hospitality industry. Hotels receive tourists from all sorts of cultures, so the ability to facilitate communication across the numerous cultural differences that could present themselves is essential for client satisfaction. Working with clients from other cultures occurs often in hotels, from the processes for checking in and out to giving recommendations for tourism of the area. In terms of hard skills, knowing multiple languages is certainly helpful. Of course, English is the primary international language, but depending on a hotel’s clientele, clients would certainly appreciate it if staff knew their native language. Being multilingual may also help facilitate more clear communication, making business operations more effective.

In terms of France’s unique hospitality industry, there are several skills that are essential for managers to succeed. For one, knowing the languages of neighboring countries, where many tourists in France come from, is certainly helpful. I am aware that all of my colleagues know multiple languages, including Italian, German, Spanish, and Catalan. Though I am not fluent in any of these languages, I am hoping to possibly learn some crucial phrases in a few of them in order to better communicate with clients. In addition, flexibility and adaptability would also be very beneficial for a manager in France’s hospitality industry. All hotels are sure to experience sudden issues, however, the present state of France could also lead to unique challenges to which managers would have to adapt. Strikes against the recent pension reforms have disrupted tourism over the past few months, and managers need to have the quick reaction skills to keep their firms successful.

I certainly feel a bit of pressure knowing that I will be working in an industry that is so crucial to the French economy. However, as someone who loves to travel myself, I am also excited to be working on the other end of tourism. I think this will be a great opportunity to develop my intercultural skills, both with my French colleagues and the international clients. I also believe this will be a chance to learn about Paris more thoroughly, as I will be responsible for providing clients with advice on local attractions and activities. Though I am expecting to face some challenges as I begin work in a foreign country, I know that the benefits to me, both professionally and personally, will be immense.