As global tourism faces major transformations driven by technology, sustainability, and new consumer expectations, hospitality education must evolve to prepare leaders for these challenges. Les Roches, a globally renowned school of hospitality and business, has embraced this transition by reshaping its educational strategy to focus on executive leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Carlos Díez, the CEO of Les Roches, emphasizes that their mission goes beyond traditional hotel management. The institution now positions itself as a strategic training ground for the future leaders of a sector in need of reinvention.
From Hospitality School to Business Lab
Founded in Switzerland and with campuses in Spain, the UAE, and China, Les Roches has developed a global academic ecosystem that trains students to lead complex organizations across the tourism and hospitality industries. The school combines business-oriented curricula with real-world learning environments, pushing students to become creative decision-makers and entrepreneurial thinkers.
The programs are tailored not only to deliver strong fundamentals in service and operations, but also to prepare students for C-level roles in hotel chains, investment firms, real estate developments, and travel-tech companies. This shift reflects a broader need for executives capable of integrating business acumen with sector-specific knowledge.
According to Díez, “Our goal is not only to teach hospitality. It’s to train business leaders who understand hospitality as a global industry with vast potential for innovation, impact, and transformation.”
Technology as a Learning Catalyst
A distinctive element of Les Roches' strategy is its early adoption of emerging technologies. Through digital transformation labs and entrepreneurship hubs, students explore the use of AI, data analytics, automation, and immersive technologies to reinvent how hospitality is delivered.
In classrooms, virtual reality tools simulate real management scenarios while business incubators provide mentoring and funding to student-led startups. These learning environments equip students with skills in problem-solving, innovation management, and strategic foresight, making them capable of shaping the industry’s next wave.
Les Roches also fosters partnerships with global tech companies and hotel groups to give students real-time access to market trends and industry needs.
Global Mindset, Local Impact
With over 100 nationalities represented on its campuses, Les Roches offers a truly global educational experience. This multiculturalism promotes intercultural leadership, soft skills development, and the ability to manage diverse teams—key qualities in an industry that thrives on human interaction.
Students rotate between campuses and complete international internships in top-tier organizations, gaining exposure to different business environments and cultural contexts. At the same time, they are encouraged to return home or explore emerging markets to apply innovation locally.
The school’s strong emphasis on networking and alumni mentorship also contributes to building a global community of professionals that actively shape the future of tourism.
Sustainability as a Business Imperative
Les Roches integrates sustainable development goals (SDGs) into its academic and operational philosophy. Programs address environmental management, social responsibility, and ethical governance in the context of hospitality, preparing students to lead organizations aligned with responsible tourism values.
Carlos Díez underlines that “Sustainability is not just an add-on; it’s a core pillar of competitiveness. Businesses that ignore their environmental and social footprint will not thrive in the long term.”
Students are encouraged to develop solutions such as energy-efficient operations, community-integrated tourism projects, and circular economy models, many of which are prototyped in the school’s innovation labs and real-world projects.
Business Education with Human Purpose
The ultimate vision of Les Roches is to combine business leadership with human-centric education. While the curriculum emphasizes finance, strategy, and operations, it also focuses on soft skills like emotional intelligence, ethics, resilience, and communication.
In a post-pandemic world, where tourism is being redefined around authentic experiences and sustainable value, hospitality leaders must lead with empathy and long-term vision. Les Roches ensures its graduates are not just professionals, but also changemakers capable of elevating the industry.
Graduates of the school now occupy leadership roles across global hotel chains, tourism boards, consulting firms, and even their own successful startups. Their common thread: the ability to anticipate change, lead with innovation, and create meaningful impact in an evolving industry.
Shaping the Future of Global Hospitality
By aligning its academic vision with the real needs of the tourism business, Les Roches has become much more than a hospitality school. It is a global platform for leadership development, where education, innovation, and strategic thinking come together to shape a more dynamic, sustainable, and inclusive tourism sector.
In the words of its CEO: “The future of tourism depends on the kind of leaders we educate today. At Les Roches, we are building those leaders—business-driven, globally minded, and purpose-led.”
Source: El País
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