Hospitality exists when you believe that the other person is on your side. – Danny Meyer
Asia is internationally renowned for the quality of its hospitality education, and represents the region’s massive hotel sector. In 2013, the Asia-Pacific’s hotel industry reached a record high of $12.8 billion worth of transactions, and with the first four months of 2014 seeing a 5 percent rise in the number of tourists visiting the region, the figures clearly show how rapidly the industry is progressing.
“In many countries, where tourism has become a major export industry, the hospitality sector is the focal point for concepts of globalisation to take root,” writes Roger S. Cline for Hotel Online. “The hospitality industry is one of the world’s largest employers and arguably one of the largest traders of foreign currency. It is often a focal point for local society, and is clearly at the centre of the transfer of ideas and the cross fertilisation of cultures.
“And those countries suffering from trade imbalances due to high imports frequently look to tourism and hospitality to close the gap. Hospitality is thus not only an industry, it is a concept – and a major force in the rapidly evolving global marketplace.”
A constantly growing and changing industry. Pic: Shutterstock
It is more important than ever for hospitality, or any business for that matter, to embrace globalisation. We live in a world that is fluid and constantly changing, making it entirely necessary for global industry to adjust in accordance.
Hospitality and its graduates must adopt a “global” mentality in order to survive. From the sophisticated markets of Europe and the States, to the rising juggernauts of hospitality in the Asia-Pacific, the sector’s largest and most influential employers are those who look far beyond the domestic.
With this in mind, employers across the world are seeking highly skilled graduates with an education as distinguished as that received from the top hotel schools in Asia. But with globalisation evermore present on the hospitality agenda, students who gain a world-class education as well as international experience are top of the employability list within their professional sphere.
Here are three courses outside of Asia that will prepare you for a long and successful career in the world’s most competitive industry:
Bachelor of Arts with Honours in International Culinary Arts, International Culinary Institute (ICI) – Switzerland
ICI Switzerland is the international culinary arm of the prestigious IMI University Centre Luzern. The school has a strong focus on career development and international experience, on top of a personalised approach towards education. All these factors have contributed to making ICI the number one culinary choice for so many hospitality professionals.
ICI’s Culinary Arts students learn the ins-and-outs of modern day gastronomy through rigorous tuition that is both practical and academic, preparing graduates to cope with the demands and challenges in the real-world, professional kitchen.
“Since I came to Switzerland, I’ve learned a lot of new techniques and styles,” says Tommy See, student of ICI’s Culinary Arts programme. “You can learn these things in my home country, but here it teaches new styles of cuisine that they don’t teach in my country.”
Students in Tommy’s class are required to develop brand new culinary products that are suitable for the modern marketplace, and are also given the opportunity to undertake invaluable international work experience.
“Next December I’ll be going to the Hotel Luzern, Switzerland. In my country there are no ski resorts so I would like to try a new style,” adds Tommy. “It’s good for us to explore other places.”
The structure of ICI’s culinary programme, paired with the prestigious reputation of the school, means that students graduate with everything they need to manage their own business, or even run and work in the kitchen of a high-end restaurant or hotel. In general, the median salary for assistant chefs, sous chefs and head chefs lie somewhere between US$30,000 and US$50,000 annually, and anyone leaving ICI has the potential to make it to the top.
Diploma in Hospitality Management, Camosun College – Canada
Camosun College is located in the picturesque setting of British Columbia, and has been providing a world-class hospitality education for almost 40 years. Current students follow in the footsteps of Camosun’s impressive alumni, who now work in some of the biggest hotels in restaurants in Canada and across the world.
Justin Foisy, Hospitality Management Grad, Executive Housekeeper – Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe. Credit: Camosun College
Justin Foisy is one such graduate of the programme. In 2010, Justin joined Delta Hotels, starting as Assistant Front of House Manager at the four-diamond Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa. Since then, he has had three career moves: Assistant Executive Housekeeper, Front Office Manager and now as Executive Housekeeper.
“I believe the key to my career success has been patience,” he says. “You have to be prepared to put the time in, try different jobs, and learn the full scope of the business. How can you be a good manager if you’ve never done the work?
“Camosun’s Hospitality Management diploma was my ticket into this industry. Everything I learned has been job-relevant but it was through the co-op work experience that I was able to find my niche… I love talking to people, and finding ways to deliver exceptional customer service. I’m not interested in just okay; I want their stay to be really memorable.”
Justin’s experience at Camosun paired with his commitment to learn every aspect of the field is part of what allowed his career to progress so fast. In this role, Justin can expect to earn US$41,000 to US$58,000 a year – and things only go up from here.
Master of Sustainable Tourism Management, Central Queensland University – Australia
With over 35,000 students across more than 20 locations, Central Queensland University is Australia’s largest regional university. The Master of Sustainable Tourism Management is a two-year postgraduate degree programme that is perfect for anyone in the industry who is looking to further their career.
The primary aim of the course is to equip students with an advanced understanding of sustainable tourism practices across the world, something that is crucial for anyone looking to progress in the industry.
As Arturo Cuenllas writes for HospitalityNet: “The interesting thing about hotel companies that are more sustainable is that they are better capable of attracting and retaining talent. As I have noticed in my analysis of such companies, it is not only the jobs that are more fulfilling, but also people have a sense of working for a higher purpose. Employees work together with managers to improve and innovate in social and environmental actions.”
Moving towards sustainable practices. Pic: Shutterstock
With this in mind, hotels across the world are making a great effort to boost sustainable practices, and the Sustainable Tourism Management programme at Central Queensland University is perfectly designed to prepare gradutes for successful careers. The programme was developed with detailed advice from leaders of industry, ensuring that students’ knowledge is completely up-to-date and will go far beyond the needs of potential employers.
A degree in Sustainable Tourism Management can take you many places, but a Master’s in the subject will take you even further. Graduates of Central Queensland’s programme can expect to lead the field with a reputable qualification from a leading university. The typical salary for an Assistant General Manager is around US$30,000 to $50,000 depending on the experience of the candidate as well as the size of the hotel, but the leadership skills gained by all CQUniversity graduates means the progressive opportunities available to them are near enough endless.
These are just three of the top-class programmes available to those who want to get ahead in the hospitality industry. These three schools, and others, offer a whole range of programmes and degrees, to suit every career path. Read on to find out more about top-class hospitality schools in exciting locations around the world…
INTERNATIONAL CULINARY INSTITUTE – SWITZERLAND
The International Culinary Institute (ICI), Switzerland, is an innovative and independent culinary school located in the stunning city of Luzern. It lies in the heart of German speaking Switzerland, a region famed for the high quality of its educational provisions, as well as its breath taking backdrop. Offering Diploma, Higher Diploma and BA qualifications in International Culinary Arts, ICI fosters a hands-on approach to gastronomy, drawing on inspiration from a diverse array of exciting culinary traditions. Courses are taught by an outstanding faculty of expert professionals, instilling all budding chefs with a passion for food and a desire for excellence in every aspect of culinary practice. Read the full profile…
CAMOSUN COLLEGE – CANADA
Camosun College is located in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. Its two campuses serve approximately 18,000 learners a year across a wide range of program subjects and levels. Camosun’s education offerings include university transfer and applied degree programs; career and trades training; upgrading and preparatory programs; and continuing education. The College has earned a reputation for teaching excellence – it is proud of its faculty, staff and students, and the fact that it provides one of Canada’s best learning experiences. Camosun is large enough to provide great services and facilities for a vibrant campus environment on beautiful Vancouver Island, yet small enough to offer students the individual support, care and attention not found in most post-secondary institutions. Read the full profile…
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY – AUSTRALIA
Central Queensland University is Australia’s largest regional university. CQUniversity has many locations; each with its own lively character and range of facilities and services as well as program and course offerings. CQUniversity and CQ TAFE have now merged and have commenced operating as Queensland’s first dual sector University. CQUniversity offers a more comprehensive approach to education and training and has one of the largest footprints of any tertiary education institution in Australia. CQUniversity has 15 campuses including newly merged regional Queensland campuses in Gladstone, Emerald, Mackay and Rockhampton along with existing campuses in Adelaide, Bundaberg, Brisbane, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Melbourne, Rockhampton, Noosa, Sydney and Townsville.
VATEL INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SCHOOL HOTEL & TOURISM MANAGEMENT – SINGAPORE
Vatel’s campus, equipped with the best modern facilities for conducive learning, is ideally located in downtown Singapore. The Bachelor Vatel programme’s objective is to train students for operational and administrative management positions. The programme combines cutting edge management science with traditional know-how in international hotel and restaurant management. Students are expected to participate actively in every phase of this highly internationalized and multicultural academic program, and course work is reinforced through immediate application of knowledge in practical settings.
THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF HOTEL & TOURISM MANAGEMENT – HONG KONG
For over 35 years the SHTM has refined a distinctive vision of hospitality and tourism education and become a symbol of excellence in the field. From humble beginnings as a diploma-conferring department, the SHTM has risen to become one of the largest hospitality and tourism schools in Asia and is among the top hospitality schools worldwide. With 65 academics drawing from 20 countries and regions, the School is ranked No. 2 globally based on research and scholarship, according to a study published in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research in 2009.
NZMA HOSPITALITY & BUSINESS SCHOOL – NEW ZEALAND
NZMA strives to deliver world-class hospitality, cookery and business training, in small classes taught by industry-experienced tutors. NZMA’s Careers team ensures that students find the right employment, both part-time during study and full-time upon graduation. Students come from many different places and for many different reasons, but they all have one common goal – to give themselves a better education for a better future.
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