In hospitality, where you study is far more than just a line on your CV. It’s your entry point into a global industry that moves fast, demands excellence and rewards those who are truly prepared.
That’s why choosing the right school matters. The best hospitality schools in the world do more than teach service or operations. They shape sharp thinkers who can, for example, run a five-star hotel in Geneva, plan a brand launch in Singapore or lead strategy for a luxury group in Dubai. The stakes are high and so is the bar for talent.
But with so many renowned hospitality schools around the world, how do you know which ones are truly worth the investment? This guide breaks down what sets the top schools apart and how they can shape your future in the hospitality industry.
What defines a top hospitality school?
A top educational campus delivers business strategy, real-world experience, global industry access and strong leadership training. It shapes graduates who are confident, adaptable and ready to lead anywhere in the world.
What exactly sets the best hospitality schools apart? Below, we discuss several key attributes that, together, ensure a school offers a comprehensive, industry-relevant education.
Academic excellence and global recognition
Top hospitality schools are consistently ranked among the most respected in international rankings. The QS World University Rankings for Hospitality and Leisure Management, for example, recognise institutions known for a strong academic reputation and high employer satisfaction.
Similarly, CEOWORLD Magazine’s 2025 rankings assess hospitality schools based on global reputation, employer feedback, and graduate outcomes. These rankings make it easier for students to compare institutions that combine business education with hands-on expertise in hospitality and tourism.
Comprehensive curriculum with practical training
Top hospitality management schools offer more than just operational training. They provide a strong academic foundation that blends business theory with real-world practice, preparing students to succeed in leadership roles across the global hospitality industry.
The best programs cover a broad range of disciplines, including:
- Financial and revenue management
- Strategic leadership and business planning
- Marketing and digital branding
- Beverage management and gastronomy innovation
- Sustainability and ethical leadership
A holistic curriculum ensures students gain the tools to thrive in traditional and emerging roles across the tourism industry.
Hands-on learning and internships
Elite institutions understand that, in the business of hospitality, experience is everything. The most effective hospitality programs integrate the following:
- Paid internships with top luxury brands and global hotel groups
- Industry workshops, property visits and live consultancy projects
- Capstone projects tied directly to real-world business outcomes
This immersive approach prepares students to tackle real challenges from day one, bridging the gap between education and the demands of the hospitality and tourism management field.
Global campuses and cultural intelligence
The best hospitality schools often operate in multiple countries, offering students a chance to study in culturally diverse environments. Whether in Switzerland, London, Spain or beyond, this international exposure builds:
- Adaptability in multicultural teams
- Cross-border communication skills
- A nuanced understanding of global guest expectations
Such experiences are crucial in a field defined by cultural fluency and global mobility.
Diverse alumni network and successful career placements
A vast and active alumni network reflects a school’s commitment to its graduates’ success. Alumni often occupy influential positions across the hospitality sector, providing current students with mentorship opportunities and a glimpse into potential career paths. These outcomes are especially relevant in the service industries, where connections and credibility can accelerate your career.
Glion: global leader in Swiss hospitality education
Glion is consistently ranked among the best hospitality schools in the world, and it’s easy to see why. With campuses in Switzerland and London, it offers a rare mix of academic excellence, practical experience and global perspective – exactly what today’s employers are looking for. For those serious about building international careers in hospitality management, Glion remains an obvious choice.
A business-centric approach to hospitality
At Glion, hospitality is not viewed merely as a service sector—it’s recognised as a dynamic business discipline. The school combines service excellence with the hard skills needed to run global organisations, from financial forecasting and marketing to strategic planning and entrepreneurship.
This broader perspective prepares students to apply hospitality principles in a wide range of industries, including luxury retail, real estate, and tech-driven experience ventures. Understanding the role of hospitality in driving customer loyalty, brand value, and business growth gives Glion graduates a distinct advantage in today’s experience-focused economy.
Experiential learning and industry integration
What sets Glion apart is its emphasis on experience in hospitality. Through immersive learning modules, students take on real responsibilities by managing restaurants, coordinating events and solving business challenges with real-world consequences.
The bachelor’s degree in hospitality management incorporates professional internships, allowing students to gain hands-on experience with leading brands in luxury hospitality, events and related industries. These internships bridge the gap between academic theories and real-world applications, ensuring students are well-prepared for the dynamic challenges of the hospitality sector.
Moreover, Glion’s extensive network of over 4,000 employer partners offers hospitality internships. This extensive industry integration helps improve students’ practical learning and significantly boosts employability upon graduation.
Career coaching from day one
Unlike institutions that focus on career support in the final semesters, Glion starts early. Students get personalized coaching, CV workshops, mock interviews and access to exclusive hospitality career fairs. It’s part of what makes Glion a true leader in hospitality education.
Alumni success stories: a testament to Glion’s excellence
If you want to see what Glion can do for someone’s career, take a look at the success stories of Glion alumni. For instance, Pascal Camia, a Glion graduate, rose to the role of Chief Operating Officer at Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer. Reflecting on his time at Glion, Pascal remarked: “For me, Glion was the ‘School of Excellence’ when it comes to the skills required to be a hotel manager; it gave me what a hotelier really needs.”
Similarly, Chidochashe Chola transitioned from a background in marketing to securing a pivotal role in learning & development with Marriott, overseeing training across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. She attributes her rapid career progression to the comprehensive education and support she received at Glion.
These stories highlight how Glion’s commitment to real-world readiness through academic study and practical learning enables graduates to excel in all kinds of roles globally.
Offering Europe’s best future-ready hospitality degrees
Glion’s strength lies in how it prepares students for what hospitality is like now, not just what it used to be. The curriculum stays up to date with current trends such as digital transformation and sustainability, but the school never loses focus on what truly matters: service, leadership and performance.
That’s the foundation behind why hospitality is important in business and it’s what Glion teaches best.
That’s why Glion continues to set the global standard as a leader in hospitality education and offers some of the best hospitality degrees in Europe for those ready to build real careers. If you’re serious about a career in hospitality, they are worth considering.
Les Roches: innovation and entrepreneurship in hospitality
Among the top hospitality schools in the world, Les Roches (Glion’s sister school) has built its reputation on preparing students to do more than most — to lead businesses and launch ventures in a fast-changing global market. Les Roches stands out for its entrepreneurial spirit and emphasis on innovation.
A forward-thinking education for future leaders
At Les Roches, hospitality education isn’t limited to operations. Students engage with real-world business challenges, gaining hands-on experience in subjects such as digital strategy, brand creation and sustainable business models.
From day one, they’re encouraged to think like entrepreneurs, developing concepts, pitching ideas and building the leadership skills needed to turn those ideas into viable enterprises. This approach ensures graduates are not only adept at managing existing operations but also capable of launching new ventures and driving industry change.
Entrepreneurship with a global mindset
Les Roches offers a truly international education, with campuses in Switzerland, Spain and the UAE. This global presence enables students to immerse themselves in different cultural and business environments, fostering adaptability and a global mindset.
Practical learning is a core element of the Les Roches experience. Programs include internships and projects that offer hands-on exposure to real-world challenges. This strong focus on experiential learning bridges the gap between theory and practice, ensuring graduates are career-ready upon graduation.
From student projects to global impact
Les Roches’ alumni network stands as a testament to the school’s global impact on the hospitality industry. Graduates have founded startups, led digital initiatives and taken on senior management roles worldwide.
Many alumni have stepped boldly into entrepreneurship, launching successful hospitality ventures that reflect the innovative ethos instilled during their studies. These achievements highlight the school’s role in shaping leaders who are pioneers in the industry.
In the latest hotel management school rankings, Les Roches remains one of the top choices for students seeking more than a conventional career path. It’s a school for those who want to challenge the status quo, create new experiences and build something of their own.
How to choose the right hospitality school
Rankings are just one factor to consider when choosing the right hospitality school for your education. What matters most is finding a place that aligns with your goals, whether you’re aiming for a leadership role in a global chain or dreaming of running your own boutique hotel in a remote corner of the world. Your choice of school should reflect your aspirations, background and preferred learning style.
Define your goals
Do you want to run a five-star resort, drive innovation in hospitality or specialize in luxury event planning? Some schools focus more on service training, while others promote entrepreneurship, digital tools or hotel administration. If you’re aiming for a strategic role in high-end hospitality, a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from a school such as Glion gives you the right mix of business know-how and real-world experience.
Rankings aren’t everything – but they still matter
Reputation still counts. The QS World University Rankings for Hospitality and Leisure Management and CEOWORLD’s Hotel Management School Ranking highlight schools excelling in employer reputation, alumni impact and global relevance. These are solid indicators, especially for international students, but they can’t tell you how a school feels or how well it fits your vision. Use rankings as a guide, not a rulebook, and balance them with your personal goals, budget and preferred learning style.
Visit, ask questions and compare campus experiences
One of the best ways to evaluate hospitality schools is by talking to current students or alumni, attending virtual open days and visiting the campuses yourself. The vibe, support systems and industry partnerships can vary more than you’d expect.
Hearing directly from people who’ve been through it can reveal things rankings just don’t show. You’ll quickly see that the culture at each school of hospitality and tourism management is different and those differences really do matter.
Consider what happens after graduation
A good school helps you graduate. A great school prepares you for what’s next. Look into the school’s graduate programs, alumni networks and industry partnerships. Do alumni end up in leadership roles? Are employers actively recruiting on campus? Can you see yourself growing there as a hospitality professional?
Why Glion remains a standout choice
If you’re seeking a well-rounded, business-driven education that combines strategy, service and international exposure, Glion stands out. A strong industry network supports its bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, is globally respected and is tailored to the dynamic world of hospitality careers. With campuses in Switzerland and London and one of the best alumni placement records in the industry, Glion prepares you not just to work in hospitality but to lead in it.
