The rise in global consumer purchasing power, coupled with developments in digital innovation, has surged an unprecedented growth in the tourism and hospitality sectors in recent years. However with this expansion, comes new challenges, and one of today’s most pressing challenges to the industry is finding and employing qualified individuals to lead companies, and the sector at large to the next dimension. Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) is a crucial player worldwide in meeting this challenge.
EHL was the first hotel school in the world, and has evolved into being recognized as the world’s number one hospitality and leisure management school. Not only has EHL pioneered hospitality education, but it is continuously innovating, and currently developing a new campus that will be fully sustainable and fully digitalized in Lausanne, Switzerland. It has been awarded the renowned Michelin star, solidifying the importance of the university in contributing to the hospitality industry. In addition, EHL is developing a new institution in Singapore to be opened in 2021, which will be the first Swiss university to offer a bachelor’s degree outside of Switzerland, setting new benchmarks once again. Well known for merging hands-on learning and academia, EHL collaborates with leaders in the industry and research organizations to create a dynamic learning experience for students, professionals and collaborating organizations.
Professor Michel Rochat, Group CEO of EHL, stated, “We will have a direct transfer of knowledge from the different campuses, and be able to enter new markets at full force with on the ground knowledge about changing trends in the hospitality sector. This is particularly of importance as the tourism market is proliferating year-over-year, at five percent on average. Skilling talent to meet this growing demand is the greatest challenge for the future of the industry. EHL’s reputation has been built for more than 125 years on the quality of our academic programs, accreditations and the success of everyone who becomes part of our community. We partner with the best in the industry worldwide, and it is our mission to help skill talent for tomorrow, and have the foresight to know the future needs for the market. We also have a small hub of about 25 startups to build bridges directly to the market. Our students can directly network and develop meaningful connections through these opportunities.”
In addition to its three campuses, EHL also has an advisory arm. EHL Advisory Services is the largest Swiss hospitality advisory services firm, and has ambitions to grow its presence in the USA and develop alliances to form new programs. It is already present in sixty countries, bringing expertise to businesses worldwide to thrive in the future and continue to develop emerging talent.
