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MBA in Hospitality
An MBA in Hotel Management
Our MBA is the only program of this level geared specifically towards aspiring general managers and executives of a hotel. It primes you with the skills to rise to the unique challenges of the next step in your career.
In an industry where uncertainty is always prevalent, our program will put you one step ahead. Combining EHL’s heritage as the world’s first hospitality management school with our forward-thinking lens, we arm you with strategies to advance a hotel’s position and profitability. We also guide you through current best practices and disruptive trends, providing you with the latest insights to thrive as a leader.
Our MBA participants are all in the hospitality industry. We have designed our program to enable you to study while you work, so you do not need to leave your job. With many modules taught virtually, flexibility built in, and dedicated mentors, we give you the support you need to succeed in this career-changing opportunity.
Is this MBA right for you?
Take the quizThe Business Side of Hospitality
Study hotel management with a business-first mindset. Our faculty members have held senior positions in hospitality and turned around businesses in a range of industries. Drawing on their expertise, you will learn strategies to successfully manage a hotel.
Stay Ahead of Industry Trends
Our MBA encourages you to become a leader of the future. Learn current best practices and explore the impact and opportunities of topical trends with your peers. The capstone project is also an opportunity to apply your learnings to a real-world challenge.
One-to-One Wellbeing Support
Our MBA is a part-time program spread over 24 months, with both in-person and virtual classes. To make the most of your study experience, you will work closely with a learning manager who will help you find a work, life, and study balance and plan ahead for seasonal demands.
Key facts
Diploma
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
in Hospitality
Duration
24 months (option to extend)
Weekly Study Time
15 hours
Location
20% on site at our Lausanne campus, 80% virtual
Program Delivery
Online & 15 days on site in three one-week courses
Start Dates
March and August of each year
What You Will Learn
Develop Effective Business Strategies for Hotels
Future-Proof Your Hotel Management Career
Our program will equip you with the practical and theoretical insights you need to successfully manage a hotel. You will learn a variety of tried-and-tested strategies for everything from optimizing revenue to managing premises through changeable business cycles and handling a large team.
Build your skills in finance, marketing, leadership, and risk management, and learn how to make well-informed decisions when faced with unforeseen challenges. Every topic is tailored to the hospitality world, training you to become an industry expert.
Our program includes a forecasting element. With your peers, you will explore current trends and disruptive developments, and debate the ways in which you believe they will impact the hotel industry. Through discussions both online and in person at our Lausanne campus, you and your classmates also share your own professional experiences to broaden each other’s outlook.
You will also apply these real-world insights to an industry challenge of your choice during your capstone project. Find solutions to protect the hotel as well as opportunities for new avenues. We also encourage you to apply your learnings to your current and aspired role.
Transform your Career at EHL
Be Part of a Small Cohort
We only admit a handful of MBA course participants for a close and collaborative study experience. Engage in open discussions where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.
Make Career-Long Connections
50 course participants from other cohorts. Build bonds that will support you throughout your career.
Keep Progressing your Career
You can study your MBA without leaving your current role. Combining virtual learning with in-person experiences, our program is designed to run alongside your work and personal commitments.
Academic Curriculum
Program Introduction
The objective of this module is to help you familiarize yourself with the online learning environment, the tools available, and to give you a comprehensive look at the current state of the hospitality industry.
This module includes the following courses:
- Introduction to the MBA Program
- Hospitality Management in the 21st Century
- IT Fundamentals
- Academic Integrity
ONLINE MODULE
3 weeks
Driving Hotel Revenues
Constant change in the distribution environment has increased the number of distinct price points and strategies that a hotel must manage. In this module, you’ll learn the latest industry practices and gain an integrated view of distribution, e-marketing, and revenue management, in order to increase your market share.
This module includes the following courses:
- Hospitality Data-Driven Marketing
- Revenue Management for Market Leaders
- Strategic Marketing and Branding
ONLINE MODULE
15 weeks
Mastering Hotels Financials
Understanding financial concepts is crucial for senior management in hospitality. In this module, you'll learn how to use financial statements and apply the latest financial practices within the hospitality context, in order to make well-informed decisions.
This module includes the following courses:
- Hotel Financial Statements Analysis
- Hotel Performance Measurement and Control
- Advanced Corporate Finance for the Hospitality industry
ONLINE MODULE
15 weeks
Hotel Development and Real Estate Investments
A key objective for today’s senior hotel professionals is to increase their hotels’ asset value. In this module, you’ll develop an understanding of hotels as an asset category intended to provide a return to owners and investors. You’ll apply industry methods for evaluating hotel developments and real estate investments. After gaining familiarity with the latest tools and metrics, you’ll be able to confidently engage in negotiations with stakeholders.
This module includes the following courses:
- Hotel Asset Management
- Valuation of Hotel Investments
- Feasibility Analysis, Development, and Negotiations
ONLINE MODULE
15 weeks
Performing through Business Cycles
The hospitality industry is a cyclical business characterized by imbalances between supply and demand. In this module, you’ll learn how to deal with sudden growth as well as periods of stagnation and decline, all of which demand flexible managerial skills and strong organizational abilities.
This module includes the following courses:
- Managing Underperforming Properties
- Trends, Innovations, and New Business Models
- Hospitality Economics
ONLINE MODULE
15 weeks
Building High-Performing Teams
Effective leadership is essential to the development and continued success of high-performing teams. In this module, you’ll develop an understanding of your strengths, values, and objectives. Then, you’ll practice how to use your personal style to become a highly effective leader.
This module includes the following courses:
- Personal Leadership Development (on-site module)
- Maximizing Individual and Collective Performance
- Leading in a Multicultural Environment
ON-SITE & ONLINE MODULE
1 week at EHL Campus & 10 weeks online
Meeting the Experts
Along with your fellow MBA students, you’ll meet renowned hospitality experts from global hotel chains, integrated resorts, online travel agencies, and investment firms. The private setting will foster lively discussions focusing on two of the most important capabilities effective leaders must master.
This module includes the following courses:
- Crisis Communication Management
- Driving Hotel Performance
ON-SITE MODULE
2 x 1 week at EHL Campus, Switzerland
Personal Work and Coaching
The MBA “personal work” synthesizes theoretical knowledge, skills, prior experience and extra-curricular involvement into one business project of professional interest.
This module includes the following courses:
- Business Research Methods
- Project Management / Consultancy
- Academic Writing, Research, and Integrity
- Capstone Thesis
ONLINE MODULE
15 weeks + Capstone Project (225 hours)
Faculty of the MBA in Hospitality
Dr Isabella Blengini
Associate Professor
Dr Stefano Borzillo
Associate Professor
Dr Meng-Mei Maggie Chen
Assistant Professor
Dr Valentina Clergue
Assistant Professor
Dr Giovanni-Battista Derchi
Assistant Professor
Dr Matthias Fuchs
Assistant Professor
Mr Stéphane Haddad
Associate Dean Executive Education Programs and Senior Lecturer in Finance
Dr Nicole Hinrichs
Associate Dean Degree Programs
Associate Professor Strategy & Entrepreneurship
Dr Demian Hodari
Associate Professor
Dr Sowon Kim Crettex
Associate Professor
Dr Cédric Poretti
Associate Professor
Dr René-Ojas Woltering
Associate Professor
Dr Laura Zizka
Associate Professor
Mr Daniel Zou
Senior Lecturer
Admissions
Admissions, Applications and Course Fees
Admissions
Our MBA is designed to help you become a general manager or executive of a hotel. We select our course participants based on the personal qualities that we know are vital to succeed in hotel management roles. These include:
- Aptitude for critical thinking & analysis
- Cultural awareness & language skills
- Customer-oriented service approach
- Self-management & personal motivation
Apply Online
You can apply and submit documents online. If you would like any guidance in preparing a successful application, our admissions team will be happy to help.
If you already have an EHL account, please log in with your existing credentials to proceed with your application.
Testimonials
MBA in Hospitality
#1 in Switzerland QS World University Rankings 2024
Our MBA in Hospitality has been acknowledged as the 1st program in Switzerland according to the QS World University Rankings 2024. These findings highlight our dedication to delivering high-quality education in the hospitality sector.