Top schools Glion Institute of Higher Education and Les Roches International School of Hospitality Management will showcase their programs and employment opportunities in the hospitality industry
Laureate Hospitality Education, a leading global education group in hospitality management, is participating in Arabian Travel Market 2013, one of the most important travel and tourism events in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. The event will take place May 6 through 9 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. At stand EU8110, Laureate Hospitality Education will showcase academic programs at Glion Institute of Higher Education and Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Switzerland, two of the top three hotel management schools in the world, which provide students with the skills and training needed in the growing hospitality industry.
“The hospitality industry in the Middle East has gained traction with a growing demand from tourism, leisure and MICE sectors,” said Fabienne Rollandin, director of industry relations, Laureate Hospitality Education. “This growing trend translates into higher demand for skilled hospitality professionals, and our schools are strongly positioned to support the industry with the right talent.”
According to the World Trade and Tourism Council, In the Middle East region, the direct contribution of Travel & Tourism to GDP was USD76.6bn (3.0% of total GDP) in 2012, and is forecast to rise by 4.2% in 2013, and to rise by 4.8% pa, from 2013-2023, to USD128.1bn in 2023 (in constant 2012 prices). The industry directly supported over 1.67 million jobs or 2.6% of total employment. This is expected to rise by 2.5% in 2013 and rise by 3.4% pa to 2,399,000 jobs (2.7% of total employment) in 2023.
Students at Laureate Hospitality Education schools undergo intensive training tailor-made to industry-specific requirements. Glion and Les Roches follow an innovative Swiss hospitality education model that balances theoretical classes with craft-based learning on campus. GIHE also offers an online MBA program for working professionals.
“The advantage of such an education is that it broadens employment opportunities in the hotel industry, tourism, event management and any service sector, because the candidates will have acquired global business and entrepreneurial competencies by the end of the program,” said Rollandin.
In a recent decision, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) of the UAE has added Glion Institute of Higher Education and Les Roches International School of Hotel Management to its global list of recommended higher education institutions. Emirati students accepted into Glion or Les Roches can now apply for UAE scholarships to complete their studies. A similar scholarship program also exists for Saudi nationals who want to further their career opportunities through undergraduate programs at Glion.
Highly reputed brands such as Jumeirah Group, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, InterContinental Hotels Group, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International and Hyatt, visit Glion and Les Roches every year to recruit students. Both institutes have a strong record of students’ employability of students. In 2012, for example, all Glion’s graduates wishing to enter the workforce, or 86% of the class, received one or more job offers even before graduation. Similar percentages apply to Les Roches’ graduates. Around 14% of graduates choose not to immediately enter the workforce.
