Switzerland is the leader in hotel management education worldwide, as evidenced by the Global QS university rankings. Switzerland has long established itself as a global leader in educating students about hotel and tourism business programs, leisure, hotel services, and event management. Employers worldwide respect the diplomas of Swiss institutions of education. We have accumulated a list of the best schools, ranked according to their quality of education and their programs.
Disclaim: The following list of higher education institutions does not represent a ranking.
1. César Ritz Colleges Switzerland
César Ritz Colleges’ programs are inspired by the legacy of César Ritz, the visionary founder of the iconic Ritz Paris hotel and the Ritz-Carlton empire. As a pioneer of luxury hospitality, César Ritz set the global standard for excellence in hotels and fine dining. In collaboration with Marie-Louise Ritz, who led the Ritz-Carlton empire after his passing, the foundation for César Ritz Colleges was built. His principles of entrepreneurship, exceptional customer experience, and innovation continue to shape the school’s philosophy today.
Ranked 3rd globally in Hospitality and Leisure Management by the QS World University Rankings 2024, César Ritz Colleges is accredited as a Swiss University of Applied Sciences Institute, offering a prestigious Swiss diploma recognized worldwide. The institution is also accredited by THE-ICE (International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education), further affirming its global reputation for excellence in hospitality education.
2. Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS)
The Swiss Hotel Management School offers an exciting variety of programs focused on Swiss traditions that are globally recognized and focus on global developments, business planning, and operational leadership.
SHMS was ranked in the top 10 QS world university rankings 2020 for higher education technology specialist hospitality management. In addition, SHMS is a fully accredited member of the International Center of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education (THE-ICE), an international non-profit accreditation agency that evaluates and certifies standards of excellence in hospitality education.
3. EHL Hospitality & Leisure Management
Ambassador for traditional Swiss hospitality, the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), has been a pioneer in hospitality education since 1893. At EHL, institutional leaders and professionals from the hospitality industry work together to develop curricula that will provide students with the most thorough education and study in the hospitality business. The programs incorporate practical work experience with training classes at the university level, which culminates in real-world business with research initiatives.
For the second year in a row, in 2020, the QS World University Ranking for Hospitality and Leisure Management and the CEO World Ranking placed EHL at the top spot. EHL has also won the award for “best innovation in education” for the Bachelor in International Hospitality Management program at the 2019 Worldwide Hospitality Awards.
4. Glion Institute of Higher Education
Glion Higher Education Institute has set the highest expectations for excellence in academic education and hospitality since 1962. This faculty has received international prizes, has taught at numerous universities, and has worked in major industries.
Based on the findings of objective statistics (TNS), the Glion Higher Education Institute is one of the flagships of professional education in the tourism and hotel industry, setting high-quality expectations that all schools and universities should follow. Glion has reached the world’s Top 3 Hospitality and Leisure Management Institutes, according to the 2021 QS World University Rankings.
5. Les Roches Global Hospitality Education
Hospitality management school Les Roches Switzerland provides higher education programs in hospitality and hotel management that are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges ‘ Commission on Institutes of Higher Education (CIHE).
Les Roches Switzerland is one of only three Swiss universities accredited by NEASC. This school guarantees a career as a top-level boss or director in the hospitality industry. Les Roches Global Hospitality Education ranked as the fourth-best higher-education university in the world for hospitality management according to the QS World University Rankings 2021. Les Roches is also accredited by the New England Schools Association.
6. IMI International Management Institute
The International Management Institute is a successful private hotel management institute. IMI provides undergraduate, graduate, and diploma degree programs in various hospitality fields. International Management Institute, Switzerland, is a specialized private school providing state-of-the-art hospitality education. It is a globally recognized institution for the management of hotels. Their social program will teach you about other cultures and traditions.
IMI International Management Institute ranks 11th by QS World University Ranking 2020 in the subject of Hospitality and Leisure Management. Their programs are validated by leading UK universities and institutions such as Manchester Metropolitan University, Oxford Brookes University, and the Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality.
7. HTMi Hotel and Tourism Management Institute Switzerland
HTMi, Hotel and Tourism Management Institute Switzerland is a global leader in the operation of hotels. Their programs are planned and evaluated periodically by highly qualified experts and with frequent contributions from the hospitality and tourism industry to keep them creative and significant. HTMi offers top-ranked degrees and student result is a leader in “Value for Money Education” amongst Switzerland’s Hotel Management Schools.
It ranks 17th by QS World University Ranking 2020 in the subject of Hospitality and Leisure Management. HTMi is accredited as a Higher Education Institution by EDUQUA, officially recognized by the Swiss Government and the Swiss Private Schools Register as providing high-quality educational services.
8. IHTTI – School of Hotel Management
The unique program at IHTTI School of Hotel Management blends studies of hospitality management with concepts of hotel design, luxury, and branding. The school shares both of its campuses with students from Swiss Hotel Management School.
IHTTI is a fully accredited member of the International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education (THE-ICE) a non-profit international accreditation agency that certifies standards of excellence in hospitality education. It ranks 26th by QS World University Ranking 2020 in the subject of Hospitality and Leisure Management.
9. Business and Hotel Management School
The BHMS Business & Hotel Management School is one of the leading hospitality colleges in the country, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the areas of hotel management, culinary arts, and global business administration. B.H.M.S has built a fast-track BA degree in Switzerland with Robert Gordon University without compromising the quality.
B.H.M.S is a member of the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (I-CHRIE), as well as a member of EURHODIP – The Leading Hotel Schools in Europe. B.H.M.S. ranked in the 5th position among the best Hotel Management Schools in Switzerland according to the CEO World Ranking 2019.
