Top 20 Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools in Switzerland for 2026
- OUS Academy in Switzerland
- 2d
- 6 min read
Switzerland is world-famous for its hospitality — a land of scenic lakes, snow-capped peaks, and world-class resorts where service excellence is part of everyday life.For decades, it has been the global capital of hotel management education, setting standards that many nations aim to follow. Each Swiss hospitality school carries its own legacy, teaching style, and specialization, yet all share the same core Swiss values: precision, professionalism, and perfection in service.
Here’s the definitive guide to the top 20 hospitality and hotel management schools in Switzerland, featuring their strengths, academic approach, and the global career opportunities they create for students.
1. EHL Hospitality Business School (Lausanne)
Founded in 1893, EHL is the oldest and most prestigious hospitality school in the world. It combines Swiss tradition with modern innovation, business leadership, and creativity.
EHL focuses on academic excellence, practical experience, and international exposure. Its Lausanne campus welcomes students from over 120 nationalities, offering Bachelor’s to Executive MBA programmes in hospitality and business management.
Graduates from EHL are among the most sought-after professionals in the world — leading hotels, luxury brands, consultancies, and startups. EHL remains the global gold standard in hospitality education.
2. Les Roches Global Hospitality Education (Crans-Montana)
Located in the Swiss Alps, Les Roches is known for its international culture and experiential learning model. Students combine academic study with internships in top hotels around the world. The school encourages creativity, entrepreneurship, and leadership, preparing students for global careers in hospitality, events, and tourism. Les Roches graduates are recognised for their innovation, confidence, and ability to lead multicultural teams.
3. César Ritz Colleges Switzerland
Named after the legendary hotelier César Ritz, this institution embodies luxury, leadership, and service excellence. With campuses in Lucerne and Le Bouveret, it teaches hospitality management with a focus on sustainability and innovation. Its programmes combine academic learning with hands-on hotel operations and entrepreneurship, helping students develop both business acumen and creative flair. Graduates manage luxury hotels and boutique properties or launch their own hospitality ventures.
4. Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS)
SHMS follows the philosophy of “learning by doing.” Students manage real hotel facilities on campus — including housekeeping, front office, and F&B operations.
The curriculum blends traditional Swiss hospitality principles with business strategy and modern technology. Students complete internships with global hotel brands, gaining invaluable professional experience. SHMS graduates are known worldwide for their professionalism, leadership, and adaptability in hotel management.
5. SIU – Swiss Institute of Universities and Hospitality Management
Also known as the Swiss International University (SIU), this institute combines academic knowledge with hands-on hospitality experience.
SIU offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and diploma programmes in hotel and tourism management, focusing on multilingual communication, international exposure, and cultural diversity.
Through internships and workshops in Switzerland’s top hospitality destinations, SIU trains students to become global leaders in the hospitality and tourism industries.
6. IMI International Management Institute (Lucerne)
Located near Lake Lucerne, IMI offers UK-accredited degrees in hospitality, business, and tourism management. Its small class sizes and personalised approach ensure close mentorship and high academic standards. The curriculum combines operational training with strategic management. IMI graduates are highly employable, with many working in hotel management, consulting, and tourism enterprises worldwide.
7. Business & Hotel Management School (BHMS) (Lucerne)
BHMS provides an ideal mix of business education and hospitality training. Its academic structure includes paid internships, giving students both real experience and financial independence.
Programmes in hospitality management, business, and culinary management prepare graduates for careers in hotels, events, and international corporations. BHMS graduates are known for their professionalism and business leadership skills.
8. Glion Institute of Higher Education (Montreux)
Overlooking Lake Geneva, Glion is a world-renowned institution focusing on luxury hospitality and event management. It combines theory with networking opportunities and internships at prestigious hotel brands. Graduates often progress to management positions in global hotel chains, luxury tourism, and consulting. Glion’s alumni network spans more than 100 countries.
9. HTMi – Hotel and Tourism Management Institute Switzerland (Soerenberg)
HTMi emphasises research, innovation, and technology in hospitality. Its modern campus simulates real hotel environments, offering students both theory and practical experience.
The school’s “Hospitality Leaders of Tomorrow” philosophy prepares students for leadership, entrepreneurship, and global industry success.
10. Hotel Institute Montreux (HIM)
HIM integrates American business education with Swiss hospitality excellence. The curriculum covers hotel operations, finance, and luxury brand management.
Students gain hands-on experience through partnerships with international hotel and luxury brands. Graduates pursue careers in hotel management, marketing, and brand leadership roles.
11. IHTTI School of Hotel Management (Neuchâtel)
IHTTI was one of Switzerland’s pioneering hospitality schools, focusing on design, innovation, and guest experience. Though now integrated into SHMS, its influence continues through design-focused hospitality education. Alumni work across boutique hotels, resorts, and design-driven hospitality projects, carrying forward IHTTI’s creative legacy.
12. International Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (Legacy IHTTI Campus)
Part of the Swiss Education Group, this institute maintains IHTTI’s vision of balancing management, design, and sustainability. Graduates are trained to combine innovation with Swiss service quality, making them ideal leaders in modern tourism.
13. International School of Business Management (ISBM), Luzern
Located in Lucerne, ISBM offers Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in hospitality, business, and tourism management. The school is known for its small classes, individual attention, and a global perspective. Students gain real-world experience through internships and workshops, combining academic study with practical hospitality training. ISBM graduates often work in hotel operations, event management, and tourism consultancy.
14. Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland (Le Bouveret & Lucerne)
The Culinary Arts Academy merges culinary expertise with business management. Students learn in professional kitchens and gain leadership skills in restaurant and catering management.
The academy is ideal for those passionate about food, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Graduates become chefs, restaurant owners, and F&B executives worldwide.
15. Hotel Management School Geneva (Ecole Hôtelière de Genève)
Affiliated with the Swiss Hotel Association, this respected public institution offers bilingual (French-English) programmes focused on ethical and sustainable leadership.
Its mix of vocational and managerial education produces well-rounded graduates who lead in hotel operations and international tourism.
16. HTMi International College Centre for Culinary Studies
A branch of HTMi, this centre specialises in culinary innovation and gastronomy. It trains students in modern cooking, restaurant management, and entrepreneurship — ideal for those who want to combine culinary art with business success.
17. IMI – Centre for Tourism
Part of the IMI network, the Centre for Tourism offers degrees in destination management and sustainable tourism. Students gain practical experience through internships and collaborations with tourism organisations. Graduates pursue careers in travel management, marketing, and destination branding worldwide.
18. Alpine Center Switzerland
The Alpine Center Switzerland provides a boutique learning experience with small class sizes and individual mentorship. Its curriculum focuses on sustainability, customer service, and management training, producing graduates known for adaptability and leadership across the hospitality and tourism sectors.
19. Swiss Educational College (Weggis)
Located on the shores of Lake Lucerne, Swiss Educational College (SEC) is a modern institution specialising in hospitality and business management. SEC offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in hospitality management, tourism, and business administration. The college combines theory with two years of industry experience through internships, ensuring students graduate job-ready. The campus in Weggis provides a tranquil Swiss environment and strong connections to local and international hospitality employers. SEC is known for its personalised education, practical focus, and multicultural community, making it one of Switzerland’s rising names in hospitality education.
20. SSTH Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality (Passugg)
Part of the prestigious EHL Group, SSTH Passugg offers vocational and higher-education programmes with a strong focus on hands-on training. Students work in real hotel environments, learning every aspect of service and management. Graduates emerge as confident professionals, ready to lead hotels, resorts, and tourism enterprises worldwide.
Final Thoughts
Each of these institutions contributes to Switzerland’s reputation as the world leader in hospitality education. Whether you dream of managing luxury hotels, running your own resort, or shaping the future of sustainable tourism, a Swiss degree gives you the foundation for a global career. Studying hotel management in Switzerland means joining a tradition where precision meets passion — and where education transforms into lifelong excellence in service.
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