EHL IntroWeek is designed to help you transition seamlessly into your new environment, ensuring you feel supported and connected from day one. This invaluable week provides insights into academic expectations, social opportunities, and vital local information that will serve you throughout your studies.
The following article presents the highlights of a plenary session, moderated by EHL’s Prof. Steffen Raub, held on July 3, 2024 during the American Association of Wine Economists’ summer conference in Lausanne, Switzerland. EHL Hospitality Business School played host to the world’s leading wine economists and showcased the spectacular wine-producing regions, namely the Lavaux and the Valais.
Free-spirited, eccentric, and unabashedly creative. These words defined artists like Marcel Duchamp and Francis Picabia—as well as everyone else associated with the 20th-century avant-garde art movement Dada. Today, such words define the newly opened The Home Hotel Zürich, which channels the whimsicality of the Dada disposition into the reimagining of a former paper factory. Everything from the guestrooms to the lobby and lounge, neo-bistro, and collaborations with the local creative community invoke the spirits of the innovative Dadaists.
Sustainable consumer behavior in hospitality encompasses actions that help preserve the environment, such as green purchasing, recycling and conserving natural resources. In the tourism context, this includes actions such as buying local products, saving water, reusing towels, conserving energy and reducing food waste. However, these behaviors and their motivations can vary significantly among different consumer groups. This makes it very difficult for hospitality actors to create sustainable offers – as what “sustainable” means varies between tourists and whether they will buy it or pay more for it is another under-researched question.
Sebastian Lang and Marcus Schwander, founding partners of Miami-headquartered Lang & Schwander, a hotel interior design firm specializing in FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment), have acquired the Hotel Engadinerhof, located in Pontresina, a picturesque mountain village in southeast Switzerland. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
Dominik Stalder has taken up his position as the new Hotel Manager of the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne. As a part of the luxury resort's pre-opening team, Stalder played a key role in revitalizing the business during the ten-year renovation phase. His professional expertise and commitment has significantly contributed to the subsequent success of the resort following the official opening. Most recently, he served as Project Leader for the High-Level Conference on Peace in Ukraine, the largest diplomatic event in Switzerland's history. This took place on June 15 and 16, 2024 at Bürgenstock Resort and brought together 1,000 international VIPs, including 57 heads of state, as well as 700 internal and 350 external staff and contributors. The organization of this event represented a major logistical challenge, which was successfully mastered under his leadership in collaboration with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
In her new role, Felicity will lead Hyatt's growth initiatives across the EAME region, overseeing a diverse and growing team of subregional developers. Latest additions to her team include Anna Corkill as Regional Vice President of Development for the UK and Ireland, Gabriela Basovska as Director of Development for Northern Europe, and Carlos Paredes as Director of Development for Southern Europe, who previously focused on Hyatt"s all inclusive portfolio. Briana Swift, recently awarded with the ISHC Young Leader Award, has been promoted to Regional Vice President Western Europe earlier this year.
"The EAME region plays a crucial role in Hyatt's global expansion efforts. Over the past five years, Hyatt has achieved 79% growth in EAME. This jump in scale has leveraged the long-standing strategy focusing on capital cities and urban centers, which built the foundation for growth in secondary destinations, resorts and leisure spaces", Javier Águila, Group President EAME commented. "We are confident that our strengthened development and transactions structure will allow us to explore new avenues of growth, ultimately accelerating expansion into new markets and segments."
The Set Collection proudly announces the addition of two exquisite properties solidifying its presence in Switzerland and marking a significant expansion of the Collection to encompass 20 luxurious hotels and private residences.
Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, an iconic Belle Époque landmark since 1906, proudly announces the successful completion of the first phase of its extensive renovation project. This phase, featuring the refurbishment of 60 lake view rooms and enhancements to a third of its lake-facing facade, marks a significant milestone in the hotel's journey towards redefining luxury hospitality.
A few weeks ago, I had the unique opportunity to visit Switzerland to attend the Young Hospitality Summit in Lausanne, Switzerland. I spent my first two days wandering Zürich, the largest city in the country, and I encountered a completely different model of hospitality. The straightforward service was complemented by unique, heartfelt experiences, and all workers were attentive and professional. I found myself efficiently and kindly served, and I began to think that the Swiss-German model of service has something to teach other countries. I believe that the simplicity of the hospitality in Zürich could refresh the sometimes-overwhelming hospitality we experience here in the United States.
For the sixth consecutive year EHL Hospitality Business School is nominated as the world’s best institution in hospitality management education. In addition, EHL maintains its upward trajectory in the global ranking of business schools.
The international and innovative hotel brand, YOTEL, welcomes guests to its highly anticipated opening of YOTEL Geneva Lake, featuring Switzerland's first Nordic-inspired gastronomy destination.
Oetker Collection is pleased to announce that Jean-Marie Le Gall has been appointed General Manager of The Woodward in Geneva. He commenced his role on April 3rd 2024.
Chris Franzen, an experienced international hotelier, has been appointed as the new Managing Director of the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, starting on 1st April 2024. Stepping into this new role, he succeeds the current Acting General Manager, Thomas Goval. After six years of successful leadership and notable contributions to elevating the resort's profile, Thomas Goval is now expanding his career internationally within the same ownership company, Katara Hospitality, joining the iconic Raffles Singapore as Hotel Manager. Originally from Zermatt, Switzerland, Chris Franzen has worked in the hospitality industry for over three decades. He has spent more than half of that time in the Gulf States, where he held management positions within the Hyatt group across the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar; most recently, opening and running the Waldorf Astoria Doha Lusail luxury hotel complex since 2021.
In a smart restaurant on the edge of Lausanne, a young woman from Cannes is attempting to open a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé. Watching from the middle of the dining room, which has views of the Alps across Lake Geneva, is Eric Iunker, a lecturer whose eyebrows seem to be permanently raised.
EHL Hospitality Business School, a leader in hospitality management education, is proud to announce its upcoming conference panel, "Managing Hotels in Times of War," as part of its “Hospitality for Society” initiative. The conference, scheduled for Tuesday, April 30th, will bring together industry experts to discuss the operational challenges of navigating the hospitality industry in conflict zones.
At EHL Passugg, a pivotal experience awaits hotel management students in their 4th semester—the Concept Week, a highlight in their academic journey. This immersive undertaking serves as a paramount opportunity for students to apply their acquired knowledge in a practical setting. The primary objective is to collaboratively conceive and execute an F&B pop-up concept. During this week, the entire class forms a cohesive group, dividing themselves into specialized departments such as marketing, finance, kitchen, service, and logistics.
Don’t Miss Your Chance for an Unprecedented Exploration of Hospitality Innovation: YHS 2024 Invites You to Embark on a Three-Day Journey, as We Dive Deep into the Theme of 'Bridging Concepts, Beyond Realities'. Experience Engaging Panel Discussions, Keynote Speeches, and Networking Opportunities That Will Shape the Future of Hospitality and Beyond.
Mandarin Oriental is delighted to introduce the group's third property in Switzerland as it brings its legendary hospitality to the country's largest city, Zurich. Located on the famous Paradeplatz, Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich is an iconic landmark hotel sitting just steps away from the prestigious Bahnhofstrasse and its high-end fashion houses, the historic old town and charming promenade leading to Lake Zurich.