Is Hospitality Management in Demand in Canada in 2025? Career Outlook & Opportunities

If you’re exploring career paths and wondering where the opportunities are, hospitality management is worth a closer look. From hotels and resorts to event planning and tourism services, Canada’s hospitality sector continues to grow – and so does the demand for skilled professionals who can lead, adapt, and deliver exceptional guest experiences. Hospitality management offers diverse career paths to run a hotel, lead a restaurant team, coordinate tourism operations, or plan conferences. 

Learn about the hospitality roles that are currently in high demand, explore how industry trends are changing the workplace, and understand the skills that will help you succeed in this people-focused profession.

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Understanding the Hospitality Industry in Canada

The hospitality industry is a major contributor to the economy. It covers a wide range of services including accommodation, food and drink, travel, tourism, and events, as well as serving millions of Canadian and international visitors every year, from daily commutes and coffee runs to cross-country trips and large-scale events. 

After being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it’s now in a period of steady growth. Between 2022 and 2023, tourism revenue alone rose from $94 billion to $109.5 billion. More Canadians are travelling within the country, tourists are returning, and people are spending more money on experiences like dining out, live events, and weekend getaways. 

Today, the hospitality and tourism industry employs around 1.9 million people nationwide, from hotel staff and kitchen teams to event planners and travel service workers – and more are being hired every day.

Key Sectors in Canadian Hospitality

The hospitality industry in Canada includes hotels, restaurants, tourism, travel services, and events. It’s made up of four main sectors: 

• Accommodation and lodging 
• Food and beverage 
• Travel and tourism 
• Event planning and entertainment 

While these sectors may sound very different, they depend on each other to function and work together to provide excellent service and create unforgettable experiences for Canadian and international tourists. For example, a busy travel season means more hotel bookings, more restaurant traffic, and more demand for events. 

When one area of the industry experiences increased demand, the other sectors benefit, too. Here’s a breakdown of Canadian hospitality sectors: 

Accommodation & Lodgings 
Hotels, resorts, and motels all fall under this sector. Thanks in part to major events like concerts and festivals, Canadian hotels saw higher occupancy rates in 2024 compared to 2018. With leisure, corporate, and event-related travel on the rise, more hotels are needed to accommodate more guests. The hotel industry responded to this demand by investing more than $1 billion into around 6,000 new hotel rooms across Canada. Many hotels are now actively looking for trained managers to handle the growing demand.  

Food & Beverage 
Canadians really enjoy eating out, making restaurants, cafés, bars, and catering services a huge part of the hospitality industry. In 2024, foodservice sales reached a record-breaking $120 billion. Higher sales are not only a good sign for business, they also speak to the strength of this sector.  

Restaurants have made a remarkable comeback since the pandemic. Thanks to population growth and increased immigration, more fresh cuisines and dining concepts have been popping up. Beyond enriching the sector with more variety, this also offers more chances to build careers in spaces that reflect your interests and background.  

Tourism & Travel 
From guided wilderness tours to thrilling adventure sports and breathtaking Northern Lights excursions, the travel industry is a big sector in Canadian hospitality. In 2023, Canada saw over 27.2 million visitor trips, and Alberta’s tourism growth in 2024 was three times the national average, thanks to famous spots like Banff and events like the Calgary Stampede. As a result, travel agencies, tour operators, and experience providers are actively hiring professionals who can curate itineraries, manage logistics, coordinate with vendors, and handle guest services. With travellers seeking more personalized and immersive experiences, this sector needs people with keen customer insight to deliver trips that exceed expectations.  

Event Planning & Entertainment 
Live events are making a comeback all over Canada. Cities are buzzing with everything from lively festivals and thrilling sports championships to bustling trade shows and corporate gatherings. This resurgence in event management after the pandemic has sparked a demand for professionals who can manage budgets and staffing, coordinate vendors, secure venues, and oversee logistics. Whether it’s a massive convention or an intimate retreat, successful events depend on skilled professionals to handle everything from guest lists and catering to audio-visual setup and contingency planning. 

No matter where your interests lie, there’s a place for you in hospitality. As these sectors continue to grow, they reinforce the industry as one of the most opportunity-rich sectors to build a career.

Why Hospitality Management is in High Demand in Canada

The rapid expansion of Canada’s hospitality industry has created a strong demand for qualified management professionals. In 2025, several factors are contributing to this growing need, such as:  

• Tourism is booming again: Hotels, restaurants, and attractions are operating at higher volumes and need skilled hospitality managers to oversee daily operations and keep teams aligned.  
• New businesses are opening: Hospitality businesses are seeing wider expansion, with brand-new hotels, popular eateries, and tourism brands popping up across the country. 
• Population growth and immigration are driving demand: More people mean a bigger need for hospitality services, including dining, lodging, and travel experiences. 
• Government investment is fueling growth: Federal and provincial tourism strategies are creating fresh career opportunities every day. 
• Experienced managers are retiring or have left the field: Due to this demographic shift, more management roles will be in demand in order to help fill in skills gaps.  

High demand in hospitality management won’t be going away. Canada’s tourism will continue to grow, businesses will keep expanding, and more people will need places to stay, eat, and explore. Since hospitality has many fields, you’ll be able to find a career path that suits you best.  

Industry Workforce Trends

The hospitality industry was hit hard by the pandemic, experiencing a sudden decline in business that led workers to find alternate employment. While the recovery has been strong, many experienced workers moved on to other sectors, creating a growing demand for skilled people, especially in management roles. 

As employers are forced to compete for these skilled workers, many are introducing new and innovative solutions. These include better training and career growth opportunities, technology to streamline work, and perks to recognize high performers. 

With the right skills and experience, there are even more benefits than ever to a career in hospitality management.

Top Career Opportunities in Canadian Hospitality

Hospitality management will continue to offer some of the most high-demand jobs in Canada in 2025. With tourism growing and new businesses opening across the country, hospitality job prospects are strong. A wide range of roles are now emerging, each offering potential for long-term career growth. 

Here are the top roles available in hospitality: 

• Hotel Manager: Picture yourself walking the property in the morning, checking in with housekeeping, reviewing bookings, and resolving a guest concern with calm professionalism. You’ll need to be good at multitasking, team management, and conflict resolution to succeed in this fast-moving environment. 
• Resort Manager: One day you’re planning a yoga class, the next a group excursion or dinner service. Resort managers oversee more than rooms. You’ll manage full guest experiences spanning recreation, dining, wellness, and entertainment. It’s a role best suited for multitaskers with strong people management and a big-picture mindset. 
• Conference and Event Manager: You might start your day planning a business seminar and end it running a charity gala. You’ll coordinate with clients, book venues, arrange logistics, and keep everything on track, from schedules and budgets to AV setup and catering. No two events are the same, so being organized, adaptable, and quick-thinking is key. 
• Catering Coordinator: From corporate luncheons to large weddings, you’ll handle the details that keep food service running and guests fed. You’ll plan menus with chefs, work around dietary needs, and make sure meals for guests and inventory for kitchen staff arrive on time and to standard. In addition to being a well-organized food service expert, your strong communication skills are key when you’re coordinating with clients and kitchen staff. 

No matter which hospitality career path you choose, you’ll find an in-demand role that allows you to take initiative, grow, and make a lasting impression on others.  

Getting the Right Skills for a Successful Career

To succeed in hospitality management, you’ll need a mix of soft skills and practical knowledge that match the industry’s demands. Here’s what each essential skill will look like in action: 

• Problem-Solving & Adaptability: When a speaker cancels at an event you’re managing, you’ll quickly rework the agenda and communicate the change professionally. 
• Human Resources Management: Hospitality is a people industry. You’ll successfully attract new employees who will provide your guests an outstanding experience and stay on budget. 
• Attention to Detail & Organization: You’ll tailor welcome packages for international guests, prep accurate orders for special events, and make sure every restaurant table is set to brand standards. 
• Accounting: You’ll understand the financial impact of decisions like changes to food order sizes, room discounts, and perks for your most loyal guests. 

With these skills and growing opportunities across the industry, now is the right time to start preparing a career in hospitality with the right training.  

Choosing the Right Hospitality Program

When it comes to building a career in hospitality management, the program you choose can make or break your employment prospects. The right hospitality management program will prepare you for your career with the industry-relevant skills, hands-on experience, and the opportunity to pursue recognized certifications that matter to potential employers.  

Here’s what to look for: 

Industry-Relevant Curriculum  

Hospitality is a broad industry. With opportunities in hotels, cruise lines, restaurants, and more, your hospitality program should include courses with key industry-relevant training such as: 

• Sales and marketing: Hospitality managers often organize promotional material, manage online listings, and work with sales teams to increase room bookings or event reservations. Your program should teach you the practical, customer-oriented marketing approaches and the right hospitality sales techniques you’ll need to know to effectively market the business and attract paying customers. 
• Security management: From handling lost items to creating emergency response plans and monitoring guest incidents, managers play a direct role in keeping both guests and staff safe. You’ll need training to use the various security and safety equipment and the correct procedures to keep your team and guests safe from day one. 
• Hospitality computer software: Managers rely on tools like restaurant management systems, hotel sales computer applications, revenue management strategies, and accounting applications. A program that shows you which software to use and trains you on how to use it will prepare you to succeed in your role from the day you start the job. 
• Managerial accounting for hospitality businesses: Reviewing revenue reports, setting pricing based on occupancy trends, and managing payroll and inventory costs are all part of keeping the business financially healthy. You’ll need to have these capabilities before you start your role, and the right program provides this essential training. 
• Supervision: Whether it’s assigning daily tasks, helping new hires learn procedures, or supporting a short-staffed shift, managers are constantly guiding their team through the day. Look for a hospitality program that trains you on how to execute management tasks, and how to lead a team successfully. 

• Food and Beverage Operations: Food and beverage managers work closely with chefs and kitchen teams, make sure daily service meets high standards, keep supplies stocked, and handle guest feedback to keep everything running without disruption. This is a crucial skill that the right diploma program can provide. 

Finding a hospitality management program that covers all of these essential skills and techniques will make your resume more attractive to hiring managers and set you up for a long and successful hospitality career. 

Akshay D., an honours graduate of the Hospitality Business Management Diploma program, shared:  

“That’s the reason I chose Sundance was because it covered all the corners of hospitality.”

The more you understand about different parts of the hospitality industry, the better prepared you are to succeed in a new role.  

Practicum Placements Included
Hospitality is a people-first industry, and there’s no substitute for hands-on experience. The right program will include a practicum where you’ll work alongside hospitality professionals, where you’ll get real-world insight and make industry connections. With a practicum, you’ll get the experience that employers are looking for in the job market.  

Certification Opportunities
Certifications in the hospitality field are specialized credentials that validate your knowledge in key areas like human resources, security, or sales and marketing, and they’re granted by professional associations like the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). Look for a diploma program that qualifies you to pursue certification as another way to stand out to potential employers. 

Once you’ve found a program that checks all the right boxes, the only thing left to do is get started.

Take the Next Step – Enroll at Sundance College

Deciding to go back to school or start something new comes with a lot of questions. But once you’ve decided to pursue a career in hospitality, your next move should be to start building the skills and experience needed to get there with a Hospitality Business Management Diploma program.  

At Sundance College, in 43 weeks, you’ll work through courses that give you a solid understanding of how hospitality businesses operate like customer service, marketing, and accounting. You’ll apply what you’ve learned during a 5-week practicum in a hospitality setting. It’s a chance to gain experience, make connections, and build confidence before you graduate.  

Whether you study online or on campus, you’ll have access to small class sizes and instructors who’ve worked in the field themselves. And when you’re ready to start your job search, career support will be available to guide you through resumes, interviews, and opportunities.

With a strong hospitality job outlook in Canada, trained managers will be in high demand and future careers will be available across each sector. You’ll manage teams, create unforgettable experiences, and grow in an industry that values both people and innovation. As sustainability, technology, and personalized service become the norm, employers across hotels, resorts, restaurants, event planning, and tourism management need professionals prepared to meet that demand. 

With the industry changing quickly, now is the time to gain practical skills and experience. To get started, learn more about Sundance College’s Hospitality Business Management Diploma and connect with an admissions advisor for a future-focused career in hospitality. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Hospitality Careers in Canada

• What is the average salary for hospitality managers in Canada?
  A hospitality manager’s salary will vary depending on location, experience, and the type of venue you oversee. Generally speaking, hospitality managers in Canada can make around $52,304 a year, and there’s a chance to earn even more in bigger or more renowned establishments. 
• Which Canadian cities have the highest demand for hospitality managers?
  Major urban centres and top tourist destinations tend to have the strongest demand. Cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary consistently hire for hotel, restaurant, and event management roles. For example, Toronto’s outlook for accommodation managers is rated “very good” through 2026, thanks to steady tourism and conference activity.

  Tourist hotspots such as Banff and Jasper (Alberta), Niagara Falls (Ontario), and Whistler (B.C.) also see high seasonal demand for hospitality workers. In the Prairies, Calgary and Edmonton are key markets, while Winnipeg is Manitoba’s hospitality hub with growing job opportunities tied to record tourism spending.

  Alberta is currently leading Canada in tourism growth, which has created many job openings in hotels and restaurants. While small rural areas are hiring, you’ll find that recruitment, even for remote resorts or international destinations, happens more often in major cities. Being open to moving gives you access to a wider range of opportunities.

  Besides Canadian cities, you’ll also find international employment opportunities with global hotel chains, cruise lines, airports or airlines, resorts, and other tourist destinations worldwide. 

• What are the growth prospects for the hospitality industry in Canada?
  The Canadian hospitality industry is expected to keep growing steadily. While the year started off at a slower pace, stronger momentum is expected in the second half—fueled by a favourable exchange rate, rising international tourism, and increased domestic spending. These trends signal a promising outlook for hotels, restaurants, and travel services across the country.  
• How can international students pursue a career in hospitality management in Canada?
  While international students aren’t eligible for on-campus enrollment, the Hospitality Business Management Diploma program does offer an online option that allows you to study from anywhere in the world. 
• Are there any specializations within hospitality management that are particularly in demand?
  The most in-demand specializations reflect areas of hospitality that are seeing the most growth: 
  • Hotel & Lodging Management: High demand for hotel managers, front office supervisors, and resort managers as occupancy rises.
  • Food & Beverage Management: Restaurants, catering companies, and banquet venues are hiring general and catering coordinators.
  • Event & Meeting Management: With conferences and gatherings back, companies need event coordinators and convention services managers.
  • Tourism & Attractions Management: Operators of tours and attractions are looking for managers to create great guest experiences. 
  • Hospitality Sales & Marketing: Hotels and tourism businesses need sales managers and digital marketers to attract guests. 
  • Hospitality Entrepreneurship: Startups and small businesses (like food trucks or travel planners) are seeking people with business and tech skills.

    Roles that focus on revenue, guest experience, and innovation are especially valued. Specializing in one of these areas will improve your job prospects in today’s job market. 

• What are the essential skills for a successful career in hospitality management in Canada?
  You’ll need a combination of soft skills, technical knowledge, and industry training:
  • Communication & customer service
  • Problem-solving & adaptability
  • Leadership & teamwork
  • Organization & attention to detail
  • Business & technical skills
  • Language & cultural awareness
  • Certifications & training

  When searching for roles, the best skills to put on your resume will reflect many of the points above, especially when presented with clear examples of experience highlighting them.

• What is the scope of hospitality management in Canada?
  It’s a broad and growing field. From managing hotels and restaurants to planning events or running travel services, hospitality management offers diverse roles with room to grow, especially in tourism-heavy regions of the country. 
• Why should I study hospitality management?
  Experience counts in hospitality, but education accelerates your path, and our diploma program provides you with both. Studying for a Hospitality Business Management Diploma program equips you with industry-aligned skills, operational training, and business insight that make you stand out in today’s job market.