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October 30, 2015

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Home » Supplement » Switzerland

Swiss factor stands out in the hospitality industry

By Sonia Tatar | October 30, 2015, Friday | Print Edition

Home to the world’s top-ranked hotel schools, Switzerland has educated global leaders in hospitality management for more than a century. Here, I outline some of the factors that set the Swiss study experience apart.

Considered by many as the birthplace of hospitality, Switzerland boasts a long-standing history of tourism. It was here that hotel management schools first began to emerge, and over time developed a unique, holistic approach to educating skilled hotel management staff. Students not only learned about keeping the books of a hotel property, but also mastered the practical operations, from service and kitchen to rooms division, which led them to understand the necessary steps to build a successful hospitality business.

Today, Swiss institutions rank as the top three hospitality management schools in the world (TNS Global Survey, 2013). Among them is Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in the Swiss Alps in vicinity to the ski and golf resort, Crans-Montana. Here, students from nearly 100 countries enroll in undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs in the fields of hospitality, tourism and event management.

It is not only the reputed hospitality schools that bring students from across the globe to study in Switzerland. The prime destination attracts travelers of all nationalities and ages with abundant natural beauty and breathtaking mountains, lakes and rivers — all easily accessible via one of the world’s most elaborate public transportation networks. The typical rich cheeses and chocolates are a delight, but Swiss wines and many other regional specialties should not be missed.

What’s more, Switzerland is located in the heart of Europe and in close proximity to some the world’s most exciting cities, such as Paris, Milan and Munich, each with its own unique history, art, architecture and cultural scene.

Most competitive country

Switzerland is fortunate to rely on a system of economic, political and civil stability. The economy is comprised of large multinational corporations, leading institutions in finance, luxury and pharmaceuticals, and specialized small and medium-sized enterprises, which account for some most impressive key performance indicators. According to the World Economic Forum’s latest Global Competitiveness Report, Switzerland is the world’s most competitive country, has the lowest percentage of public debt and unemployment, and the highest disposable income per capita in the world (EU Statistical Office–Eurostat). These factors, together with aspects of social security, make Switzerland the best country to be born in, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Switzerland is also very competitive in the field of innovation and is among the countries with the highest spending on research and development relative to GDP. It is in these ideal conditions that many business ideas come to life and start-up companies take off. At Les Roches, we aim to instill this entrepreneurial spirit in our students and encourage them to pursue their own business projects, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Apart from the economic framework, the political stability and public safety contribute to make Switzerland a preferred destination for international students.

The Swiss model of education follows a unique structure, offering students a choice of two pathways to reach an academic distinction. They can follow the classic path and enroll in secondary school and eventually university after completing their mandatory schooling or they can start an apprenticeship. In the latter case, students attend a professional school part time while learning their trade and can later embark on an academic career through a university of applied sciences. Les Roches combines both pathways to offer a fully accredited Bachelor in Business Administration degree program in International Hotel Management.

Switzerland


 

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