Post: Hospitality Assistant - Tourism

Paper Code: 160/2016

Date of Test: 25th November 2016

Year Category: 2016

Exam Overview:

The Kerala Public Service Commission (Kerala PSC) conducted the examination for the post of Hospitality Assistant under the Tourism Department. This exam was designed to assess the candidate’s knowledge and skills in hospitality management, tourism services, and customer care within the tourism and hospitality industry. The role involves working in various areas of hospitality such as hotels, tour operations, and customer service.

Exam Pattern:

The exam was conducted in a Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) format, with a focus on tourism management, hospitality services, general knowledge, and customer relations.

• Total Questions: 100
• Time Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes)
• Maximum Marks: 100
• Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Syllabus Coverage:

The syllabus for the Hospitality Assistant exam covered various topics, including tourism management, hospitality services, and general knowledge related to the tourism industry. Below are the main areas included in the syllabus:

1. Tourism and Hospitality Management:

• Tourism Industry Overview: The tourism industry, its role in the economy, and various segments like inbound and outbound tourism.
• Tourism Services: Understanding of different types of tourism services, such as hotel management, tour operations, travel agencies, and transport services.
• Customer Care and Hospitality Services: Principles of customer service, handling customer complaints, and improving guest experiences.
• Tourism Marketing: Basics of marketing in the tourism industry, promoting destinations, and customer relationship management.

1. General Knowledge:

• Tourism in Kerala: Knowledge about Kerala as a tourism destination, including popular tourist spots, cultural heritage, and government tourism initiatives.
• Current Affairs: General awareness of recent events in the tourism industry, state tourism policies, and developments in the hospitality sector.
• National and International Tourism: Understanding of major tourism destinations, trends in global tourism, and hospitality practices worldwide.

1. General English and Arithmetic:

• Basic English grammar, sentence construction, and comprehension.
• Arithmetic questions related to basic calculations, percentages, and simple interest.

Key Skills Assessed:

• Customer Service Skills: Knowledge of providing excellent customer service, addressing customer queries, and managing complaints.
• Tourism Knowledge: Understanding of the tourism industry and popular tourist destinations in Kerala and beyond.
• Communication Skills: Proficiency in English communication, both verbal and written, as it is essential in tourism-related roles.
• Hospitality Operations: Familiarity with the day-to-day operations in a hotel or tourism-related business.
• General Awareness: Awareness of current affairs and developments related to tourism and hospitality management.

Sample Question Topics:

• Tourism and Hospitality Management:
• What is the primary role of a travel agent in the tourism industry?
• In a hotel, the front desk is responsible for:
• Which of the following is considered a luxury tourism destination in Kerala?
• General Knowledge:
• What is the official tourism slogan of Kerala?
• Varkala, known for its cliffs and beaches, is located in which district of Kerala?
• Which famous festival in Kerala is associated with the Onam celebrations?
• General English:
• Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "The manager was very __________ in solving the issue."
• (A) efficient
• (B) efficiency
• (C) efficiently
• (D) inefficient
• Find the antonym of the word "available".
• Arithmetic:
• A hotel offers a 15% discount on a room rent of Rs. 2000. What is the discounted price?
• A group of 5 tourists shared a bill of Rs. 5000 equally. How much did each tourist pay?

Preparation Tips for Candidates:

• Study the Tourism Industry: Focus on Kerala's tourism infrastructure, major tourist destinations, and the role of government in promoting tourism.
• Familiarize Yourself with Hospitality Services: Understand the basics of hotel management, customer service, and hospitality operations.
• Learn About Tourism Marketing: Learn the principles of marketing and promoting tourism services, including digital marketing in tourism.
• Enhance Communication Skills: Good communication is vital in the hospitality sector, so practice English grammar and sentence construction.
• Review Arithmetic: Practice basic arithmetic, especially related to calculating discounts, shares, and percentages.

Download the Question Paper:

You can download the Kerala PSC Hospitality Assistant - Tourism (Paper Code: 160/2016) question paper from the following link: