Tisch Center update: Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA)

Hotel analytics have become an increasingly important skill for such professionals as revenue managers, general managers, corporate staff and research professionals. Students at the Tisch Center of Hospitality can take a CHIA preparation course and the certification exam on campus: the equivalent of a $300 value. Professors Yang and Eeckels, who teach the preparation course, tell us more about the initiative in this post.

What is the CHIA certification? 

The CHIA certification (Certified Hospitality Industry Analytics) is offered by AHLEI in collaboration with STR. Smith Travel Research is an institution that provides industry data and compiles the data to feed them back to hotels. The CHIA exam is an exam where you can demonstrate your knowledge of reading reports and hospitality industry information. STR is using standardized metrics within the industry when compiling the reports. Students are learning their metrics in their courses and therefore learn how to read all this information. Since 2012, nearly 18,000 students and professors have received the CHIA.

What is covered in the training? 

It is a comprehensive training program, where we make use of sample data and supporting materials. There are four components of training, including Hotel Industry Analytical Foundations, Hotel Math Fundamentals, Property Level Benchmarking, and Hotel Industry Performance Reports. Students have to master each one of those blocks in order to pass the exam. There are 50 questions on the exam and a minimum score of 70% must be obtained to achieve a passing grade. 

How will it benefit students in their career?

This type of information is basic information everyone is using in the industry. It’s sort of like having the basic grammar of English language. In order to understand the performance of the industry, you need to first master the grammar. Achieving this distinction announces that these students have a place among the best graduates in their profession and opens the doors to future career opportunities. Qualifying students receive a certificate of accomplishment. Their names and schools are listed on the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) website and they can use the CHIA designation on their resume/CV and business cards.