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, so that you have 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.

icon-course-blended-course   Blended

icon-course-part-time   Part-Time

icon-course-language   Taught in English

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The 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.

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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.

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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, study balance and plan ahead for seasonal demands.

Key Facts

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Diploma

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
in Hospitality

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Duration

24 months
(option to extend)

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Weekly Study Time

15 hours

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Location

20% on site at our Lausanne campus,
80% virtual

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Program Delivery

Online & 15 days on site
in three one-week courses

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Start Dates

March and August of each year

 

Download the brochure

Fill in the form to receive our MBA in Hospitality brochure.
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Academic Curriculum

The objective of this module is to help you familiarize 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

EHL Visiting Faculty - MBA in Hospitality

Mr Francesco Di Pasquale
Dr Janet Shaner
Mr Heinz Wehrle

Mr Francesco Di Pasquale

Visiting Professor

Subject taught :

Project management
Project Management Tools
Project Management Consultancy
Profile

Dr Janet Shaner

Visiting Lecturer

Subject taught :

Organizational Capital and Leadership
Talent Management Systems
Hospitality & service organization design
Profile

Mr Heinz Wehrle

Visiting Lecturer

Subject taught :

Hotel Asset Management
Profile

EHL Faculty - MBA in Hospitality

Mr Cédric Bourassin
Dr Meng-Mei Maggie Chen
Dr Stefan Güldenberg
Mr Stéphane Haddad
Dr Cindy Heo
Dr Sowon  Kim Crettex
Dr Philippe Masset
Mr Ian Millar
Dr Masaki Mori
Mr Patrick Ogheard
Dr Cédric Poretti
Mr Rémy Rein
Dr Marc Stierand
Dr René-Ojas Woltering
Dr Laura Zizka
Mr Cédric Bourassin

Mr Cédric Bourassin

Lecturer - Practical Arts

Subject taught :

Fine Dining Cuisine
Culinary Business Field Trip
F&B concept week
Profile
Dr Meng-Mei Maggie Chen

Dr Meng-Mei Maggie Chen

Assistant Professor

Subject taught :

Customer Information and Distribution Channel Management
High Performance Distribution Strategy for Hotels
Operational Marketing in Hospitality Industry
Profile
Dr Stefan Güldenberg

Dr Stefan Güldenberg

Full Professor

Subject taught :

Strategic management in the hospitality industry
Profile
Mr Stéphane Haddad

Mr Stéphane Haddad

Senior Lecturer

Subject taught :

Advanced Corporate Finance
Advanced Corporate Finance & Concepts of International Finance
Hospitality Mergers & Aquisitions
Identifying, Selecting and Financing Service-based Investment Opportunities
Private Equity & Venture Capital
Private Equity
Finance Business Field Trip
Profile
Dr Cindy Heo

Dr Cindy Heo

Associate Professor

Subject taught :

Revenue Management
Revenue Management for Market Leaders
Profile
Dr Sowon  Kim Crettex

Dr Sowon Kim Crettex

Associate Professor

Subject taught :

Leading in a Multicultural Environment
Organizational Capital & Leadership
Leadership
Profile
Dr Philippe Masset

Dr Philippe Masset

Associate Professor

Subject taught :

Portfolio Management
Wine Economics & Finance
Investment Strategies in Wine
Profile
Mr Ian Millar

Mr Ian Millar

Senior Lecturer

Subject taught :

Hospitality Technology Strategy
ICT for the F&B industry
Profile
Dr Masaki Mori

Dr Masaki Mori

Associate Professor

Subject taught :

Real Estate Finance
Valuation of Hotel Investments
Profile
Mr Patrick Ogheard

Mr Patrick Ogheard

Associate Dean - Practical Arts

Subject taught :

Culinary Discovery Tour
Culinary Research & Development
Michelin Star Experience
R&D Design Lab
Service Creativity and Executing Service Excellence
Sous-vide Cooking
F&B concept week
Profile
Dr Cédric Poretti

Dr Cédric Poretti

Associate Professor

Subject taught :

Hotel Financial Statements Analysis
Managerial Accounting
Accounting & financial analysis for hospitality firms
Profile
Mr Rémy Rein

Mr Rémy Rein

Senior Lecturer

Subject taught :

Hotel Asset Management
Hotel Development and Feasibility Analysis
Profile
Dr Marc Stierand

Dr Marc Stierand

Associate Professor

Subject taught :

Food Service Quality & Design
Creativity and innovation in the food and beverage sector
Creating the Future of Food Service
Profile
Dr René-Ojas Woltering

Dr René-Ojas Woltering

Assistant Professor

Subject taught :

Hospitality Real Estate Finance & Investments
Real Estate Finance
Feasibility Analysis, Development and Negotiations
Financial and Banking Markets
Profile
Dr Laura Zizka

Dr Laura Zizka

Associate Professor

Subject taught :

Academic Integrity
Academic Writing
Academic Writing, Research and Integrity
Crisis Communication
Crisis Communication Management
Crisis / Strategic Communication
Profile

What You Will Learn

Develop Effective Business Strategies for Hotels

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 a 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.

Future-Proof Your Hotel Management Career

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

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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.

 

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Make Career-Long Connections

50 course participants from other cohorts. Build bonds that will support you throughout your career.

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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.

Admissions & Fees

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
Learn more about the admissions requirements and fees by clicking below.

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 login with your existing credentials to proceed with your application.

Testimonials