Swiss Hotel Management School

Swiss Hotel Management School was founded in 1992 as a private hotel management school in the small, ski resort village of Les Paccots, Switzerland. In 1995, SHMS moved its campus to the Caux Palace—one of the biggest and most luxurious hotels ever designed in Switzerland. Built by the Swiss architect Eugène Jost, it was inaugurated on 7 July 1902.

In 2001, SHMS's degree programs became accredited by the Swiss Hotel School Association (ASEH) as well as the University of Derby (UK) three years prior for its Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree programs.

SHMS acquired the Mont-Blanc Palace (one of the oldest hotels in Europe and home to Club Med's first winter village) and Belvédère hotels in Leysin, Switzerland in 2004 and opened its second campus.[3]

In 2011, SHMS launched the Master of International Business in Resort and Spa Management program, and opened a student-managed spa in Leysin available to the public.

The Master of Science in International Hospitality Management was launched in 2013 after the Master of Arts in International Hospitality Management degree program proved to be highly successful.

In July 2019, SHMS welcomed students from sister school IHTTI. In 2021, IHTTI was fully integrated into SHMS.

The school offers a variety of bachelor's and master's degree programs (including an online degree) designed to prepare students for senior positions in hotel and hospitality management. Most of the programs are accredited in partnership with the University of Derby (UK).

The Student Ambassador Forum is a committee of students responsible for organizing events and activities for the student body each week. Student-led banquets like the World of Hospitality[4] event are held each semester and sports competitions are organized throughout the year. Both campuses offer a variety of on-campus sports including: volleyball, football, tennis, basketball, badminton, and a gym facility. Each campus also has its own student-only nightclub.

Both campuses are located in one-of-a-kind settings with access to world-class ski resorts, hiking trails in the Swiss Alps, cycling, and swimming in Lake Geneva. Switzerland's central location within Europe makes it easy for students to travel and explore the region.

The Dean of SHMS is Dominic Szambowski, PhD.[5] Dr. Dominic Szambowski has a PhD in Education from the University of Sydney and has held Senior Leadership roles at a variety of higher educational institutions. Before joining SHMS in 2020, he was CEO and President of the International College of Management in Sydney. His previous roles include Vice Chancellor of BERJAYA University College of Hospitality, President and CEO of INTI International College, and Executive Dean, Hospitality, Culinary Arts and Tourism for the INTI Group.

Other deans and program managers include:

• Claire Jollain, Assistant Dean Caux
• Patrick Taffin d'Heursel, Assistant Dean Leysin
• Andrea Leuenberger, Program Manager
• Nektarios Lykopantis, Program Manager
• Janani Ganapathi, Program Manager
• Ines Klemm, Design Program Leader
• Robert Saltz, Director of Career Services

SHMS is currently ranked #4 worldwide on the QS World University Rankings and consistently ranks among the world’s top 10 hospitality and leisure schools.[6][7]It is also one of Switzerland's top hospitality institutes.[8]

SHMS is the first hospitality school in the world, and the first institute of higher education in Switzerland, to receive the prestigious Apple Distinguished School recognition—awarded to centers of educational excellence that demonstrate innovative ways to use technology to support learning goals and inspire student creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.

SHMS’s programs are accredited by institutions including the University of Derby (UK), eduQua, International Centre of Excellence in Tourism & Hospitality Education (THE-ICE), and endorsed by the Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality

SHMS’s courses are developed in collaboration with academic and industry partners who contribute to the learning experience by hosting guest lectures, visits, case studies, management training, internship, or career opportunities.

Some of the school’s academic and industry partners include Club Med, Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo, Dorchester Collection, and John Paul.

• Hotel Institute Montreux
• César Ritz Colleges Switzerland
• Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland
• International Hotel and Tourism Training Institute
• Swiss Education Group

• Official website