If you’re someone who enjoys working hard and playing even harder, a career in Hospitality and Tourism might be just what you’re looking for. This vibrant and competitive field offers not only a fun lifestyle and unique challenges but also the opportunity to travel the world.
Why Study Hospitality, Leisure, and Tourism?
Hospitality, Leisure, and Tourism Management is an incredibly diverse industry with a multitude of career paths. It's not just limited to hotels and traditional tourist services; it encompasses a wide range of areas including restaurants, casinos, food and beverage services, cruises, event management, resorts and spas, airline catering, lodging, attractions, theme parks, festivals, museums, transportation and travel, non-traditional accommodation, and various entertainment services.
Deciding on a course can be overwhelming given the vast amount of information available. Here are four key reasons why this field might be a great choice for many students:
1. Fun and Exciting: Hospitality offers a dynamic work environment where you’ll meet people from all over the world. It’s far from a typical 9-to-5 job and offers a lot of variety.
2. High Job Security and Employability: While the tourism industry is vulnerable to challenges like pandemics, natural disasters, and political conflicts, its strong recovery post-COVID highlights its resilience and significance to the global economy.
3. Opportunities to Travel: The tourism industry naturally provides frequent travel opportunities and chances to attend various events.
4. Diverse Career Paths: Jobs in this field range from direct customer-facing roles like reception and housekeeping to internal operations such as business optimization and financial performance management.
Top Universities for Tourism and Hospitality in Europe
Europe is renowned for its high teaching standards, and students can expect a top-notch education from many of its universities. If you aim to earn a degree from a prestigious institution, considering official rankings like those from ARWU and QS can be very helpful. These rankings evaluate factors such as academic and employer reputation, as well as international faculty ratio.
Here are some of the best universities for studying Tourism and Hospitality in Europe in 2024:
1. EHL Hospitality Business School, Switzerland: Ranked first in Europe and the world, this school is a leader in hospitality education.
2. SHMS - Swiss Hotel Management School, Switzerland: Holding the second position in Europe and third globally, SHMS is another top choice.
3. Les Roches Global Hospitality Management Education, Switzerland: Ranked fourth in the world and third in Europe, it offers a highly respected program.
4. Glion Institute of Higher Education, Switzerland: Positioned fifth globally and fourth in Europe, Glion is renowned for its high standards.
5. Cesar Ritz Colleges Switzerland: This institution ranks sixth worldwide and fifth in Europe.
6. Hotel Institute Montreux, Switzerland: Seventh in the world and sixth in Europe, this school is known for its excellence in hospitality education.
7. Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland: Ranked eighth globally and seventh in Europe, it specializes in culinary education.
8. Hotelschool The Hague, Netherlands: This Dutch school is ranked ninth globally and eighth in Europe.
9. Vatel, Hotel & Tourism Business School, France: Vatel holds the eleventh spot worldwide and ninth in Europe.
10. EUHT StPOL Barcelona, Spain: This institution rounds out the top ten in Europe, ranked fourteenth globally.
Other Notable Institutions
Besides the top-ranked universities, there are several other reputable institutions worth considering for international students seeking quality education in Europe:
- Burgundy School of Business (BSB) in France
- EU Business School, with campuses in Spain, France, Germany, and remote options
- International Graduate Center (part of Hochschule Bremen) in Germany
- Linnaeus University in Sweden
- Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Switzerland
- Polytechnic of Leiria in Portugal
- SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences in Germany
- Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM) in Spain
Each of these schools offers unique programs and opportunities in the field of Hospitality and Tourism, making Europe a great destination for your studies in this exciting industry.