Best 20 Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools in Switzerland

Switzerland is the heart of global hospitality — a country where elegance, precision, and service excellence define everyday life. From the grand hotels of Geneva to the peaceful lakeside resorts of Lucerne, the Swiss approach to hospitality has become a worldwide benchmark for quality and professionalism.

It’s no surprise that Switzerland is also considered the global capital of hotel management education. The nation hosts some of the world’s most respected hospitality schools, where students don’t just learn to run hotels — they learn to lead, innovate, and inspire the industry.

Each institution carries its own story, traditions, and areas of expertise, yet all share the same Swiss values: discipline, innovation, and a deep passion for service.

Here’s the definitive guide to the Top 20 Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools in Switzerland — their teaching philosophies, key strengths, and the career paths they open around the world.

1. EHL Hospitality Business School (Lausanne)

Founded in 1893, EHL is widely recognised as the pioneer and most prestigious hospitality management school in the world. Its Lausanne campus combines Swiss service tradition with business innovation and creativity.

EHL’s philosophy is built on academic excellence, practical training, and global exposure. Students from more than 120 countries pursue degrees from Bachelor’s to Executive MBA, developing both management and leadership skills.

EHL graduates occupy leadership positions across luxury brands, international hotel groups, and consulting firms. Its name stands for quality, innovation, and leadership in hospitality education.

2. Les Roches Global Hospitality Education (Crans-Montana)

Located high in the Swiss Alps, Les Roches offers a dynamic, international learning environment that blends theory with hands-on experience.

Its “learn by doing” model allows students to combine academic studies with professional internships at world-class hotels and resorts. Entrepreneurial thinking, creativity, and cultural adaptability are central to the Les Roches experience.

Graduates are highly sought after by global employers in hospitality, tourism, and luxury services — known for their professionalism and international mindset.

3. César Ritz Colleges Switzerland

Named after the legendary hotelier César Ritz, this institution embodies luxury, leadership, and innovation. With campuses in Lucerne and Le Bouveret, César Ritz Colleges combine business education with Swiss hospitality values.

Students focus on sustainable management, leadership development, and entrepreneurship, blending academic theory with real-world hotel experience. Graduates are prepared to manage high-end hospitality operations or launch successful ventures of their own.

4. Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS)

SHMS is famous for its philosophy of “learning by doing.” Students manage on-campus hotel facilities, taking charge of everything from front-office operations to events and catering.

Its curriculum merges traditional Swiss hospitality with modern business and technology. SHMS offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Postgraduate Diploma programmes, all designed to develop confident and capable leaders.

Internships with global hotel brands give SHMS students an edge, making them recognised for their discipline, teamwork, and hands-on expertise.

5. SIU – Swiss Institute of Universities and Hospitality Management

Also known as the Swiss International University (SIU), this growing institution combines academic knowledge with practical experience in hospitality and tourism.

SIU offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and diploma programmes with a strong focus on international exposure and multilingual communication.

Workshops, projects, and internships across Switzerland’s top destinations help students gain industry experience. SIU graduates are adaptable, service-driven professionals ready for global hospitality careers.

6. IMI International Management Institute (Lucerne)

Located near the scenic Lake Lucerne, IMI offers UK-accredited degrees in hospitality, business, and tourism management. The institute prides itself on small class sizes, personal mentoring, and academic excellence.

IMI combines practical hotel operations with strategic business management. With one of the highest employability rates among Swiss hospitality schools, its graduates excel in management, consulting, and tourism enterprises worldwide.

7. Business & Hotel Management School (BHMS) (Lucerne)

BHMS blends Swiss hospitality training with business management education. Its unique system allows students to gain paid internships during their studies — combining academic learning with real industry experience.

Programmes include hospitality management, global business, and culinary management. BHMS graduates hold Swiss and international qualifications, making them valuable assets in hotels, events, and corporate hospitality sectors worldwide.

8. Glion Institute of Higher Education (Montreux)

Perched above Lake Geneva, Glion is among the most prestigious hospitality institutions in the world. It specialises in luxury hospitality and event management, combining academic rigour with professional experience.

Through partnerships with major hotel brands, Glion students gain access to internships and networking opportunities that open global career paths. Its graduates lead in luxury hotels, tourism consultancies, and international corporations.

9. HTMi – Hotel and Tourism Management Institute Switzerland (Soerenberg)

HTMi focuses on innovation, technology, and leadership in hospitality and tourism. Its modern campus functions like a hotel, giving students immersive hands-on experience.

The school’s mission — “Hospitality Leaders of Tomorrow” — emphasizes research, creativity, and professionalism. HTMi graduates are known for being adaptable, forward-thinking, and well-prepared for leadership roles.

10. Hotel Institute Montreux (HIM)

HIM blends American business education with Swiss hospitality precision. The curriculum includes hotel operations, finance, marketing, and luxury brand management.

Students gain real-world experience through partnerships with global hotel groups and luxury companies. Graduates often advance to leadership roles in brand strategy, hotel management, and business development.

11. IHTTI School of Hotel Management (Neuchâtel)

A pioneer in Swiss hospitality education, IHTTI became famous for its focus on hospitality design and innovation. Now integrated into SHMS, it continues to inspire students through creative, design-led management education.

IHTTI alumni work in boutique hotels, resorts, and hospitality design firms around the world, known for their eye for detail and guest experience excellence.

12. International Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (Legacy IHTTI Campus)

Part of the Swiss Education Group, this institute continues IHTTI’s legacy of combining management, design, and sustainability.

Students are trained to balance innovation with human-centered service, preparing them for leadership in sustainable and technology-driven hospitality.

13. International School of Business Management (ISBM) – Lucerne

ISBM offers Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in hospitality, business, and tourism management. With small class sizes and personal guidance, ISBM provides a truly individualised learning experience.

The school combines Swiss hospitality standards with a global business perspective. Students participate in internships and workshops, gaining real-world experience. ISBM graduates are equipped for careers in hotel management, event planning, and tourism development.

14. Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland (Le Bouveret & Lucerne)

The Culinary Arts Academy combines culinary creativity and business leadership. Students learn from master chefs while gaining the managerial skills needed to run successful restaurants, catering companies, or luxury dining operations.

Its graduates are leaders in the food and beverage industry — combining Swiss precision with global culinary trends.

15. Hotel Management School Geneva (Ecole Hôtelière de Genève)

Affiliated with the Swiss Hotel Association, the Hotel Management School Geneva is one of the most respected public institutions in Switzerland.

It offers bilingual (French-English) programmes and focuses on sustainable, ethical, and professional hospitality leadership. Graduates thrive in hotel operations, tourism management, and consulting roles in Switzerland and abroad.

16. HTMi International College Centre for Culinary Studies

This branch of HTMi specialises in culinary arts, gastronomy, and restaurant management. Students train in professional kitchens while studying management, creativity, and business fundamentals.

It’s perfect for those who want to combine a love of food with leadership in hospitality or entrepreneurship.

17. Vatel Martigny, Switzerland – Hotel & Tourism Business School

Vatel Martigny is part of the world’s largest network of hotel and tourism management schools. Based in the Valais region, it offers accredited Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in international hospitality and tourism management.

Vatel Switzerland has received a 5-star rating from the QS Stars ranking system and is known for its academic quality and strong internship network. Graduates build careers across hospitality, catering, and tourism worldwide.

18. Alpine Center Switzerland

The Alpine Center provides a boutique, student-focused learning experience. Its small classes and personalised approach ensure students receive individual mentoring and professional support.

The curriculum emphasizes sustainability, service excellence, and management training, producing graduates who are confident, adaptable, and ready for global careers in resorts and boutique hotels.

19. Swiss Educational College (Weggis)

Situated on the shores of Lake Lucerne, Swiss Educational College (SEC) is a modern institution offering Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in hospitality and business management.

SEC’s curriculum combines theory with up to two years of industry experience through paid internships. Students learn leadership, business strategy, and operational management in a multicultural environment.

The college’s lakeside location provides an inspiring and tranquil atmosphere. With its personalised approach and focus on employability, SEC is 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 focused on hands-on learning in real hotel settings.

Students train in fully functional hospitality environments, mastering operations, culinary arts, and management. SSTH graduates are known for their practical skills, leadership qualities, and Swiss professionalism.

Final Thoughts

Switzerland remains the world’s premier destination for hospitality and hotel management education. Its schools combine centuries-old traditions with modern innovation, shaping students into confident, global leaders.

Whether you dream of managing a five-star resort, designing unforgettable guest experiences, or building your own hospitality brand, studying in Switzerland provides the knowledge, discipline, and international network to make it happen.

In Swiss hospitality education, precision meets passion — and your studies become the first step toward a lifetime of success in the world’s most dynamic industry.

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