International Hotel Management Institute Switzerland

What International Hotel Management Institute Switzerland does

International Hotel Management Institute Switzerland (IMI) is a private hospitality and culinary arts education institution founded in 1991 and headquartered in Kastanienbaum, Lucerne, on the shores of Lake Lucerne. The institute delivers UK-accredited undergraduate (BA Hons) and postgraduate (MSc/Graduate Diploma) programmes in hospitality, business, and culinary arts through a degree-validation partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, whose Business School holds Triple Crown accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA). A one-semester Certificate programme provides pathway preparation, and seasonal Summer and Winter short programmes target 16-26-year-old participants. Enrolment is deliberately capped at 300 students per year with class sizes of 5-15, and the student body represents more than 35 nationalities.

IMI's defining operational asset is Hotel Seeburg, a historical 4-star training hotel with origins dating to 1584 that the institute acquired in 2026 and now directly operates. This makes IMI the only management school in Switzerland with its own directly managed training hotel, providing students with hands-on practical experience across culinary, front office, rooms division, food and beverage, and events operations. Every degree student completes a 22-week paid internship in Switzerland or abroad each academic year, integrating classroom learning with industry placement.

IMI's revenue is generated primarily through tuition fees, a one-time CHF 2,000 registration fee, separately charged on-campus accommodation and full-board meal packages, and seasonal short-programme fees (CHF 3,000-5,000). Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the imi-luzern.com website, supplemented by a global network of international education agents and Regional Enrolment Directors who run recruitment sessions via Microsoft Teams and on-campus visits. The institute operates within a traditional educational framework with no proprietary technology systems or AI-native capabilities, and is owned by IMI Group AG, a Swiss private company under the leadership of CEO David Hailstones (appointed April 2026).

Name

International Hotel Management Institute Switzerland

Legal name

IMI Group AG

Website

https://imi-luzern.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

IMI Switzerland is a private hospitality, business, and culinary arts school in Kastanienbaum, Lucerne, delivering UK-accredited BA and MSc degrees validated by Manchester Metropolitan University. It serves up to 300 students per year from 35+ nationalities through small classes and practical training at its own 4-star Hotel Seeburg.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kastanienbaum

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: IMI generates revenue primarily through tuition fees for accredited bachelor and master degree programmes validated by Manchester Metropolitan University. Fees cover academic instruction, class materials, access to learning platforms, professional excursions, and career coaching.
2. Registration Fee: One-time registration fee of CHF 2,000 charged upon acceptance, covering administrative costs, residence permit, airport pickup, insurance, student card, library access, gym facilities, and alumni network membership.
3. Accommodation and Meals: On-campus accommodation and full board meal packages provided during academic semesters, charged separately from tuition.
4. Summer/Winter Programme Fees: Short immersive programmes for 16-26 year olds, with early enrolment at CHF 3,000 (by May 31st) and standard fee of CHF 5,000. Includes accommodation, meals, masterclasses, excursions, and Swiss Travel Pass.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IMI Switzerland is a private hospitality management school that delivers UK-accredited bachelor's and master's degree programmes in hospitality, business, and culinary arts, validated by Manchester Metropolitan University. Its teaching is anchored in Hotel Seeburg, the institute's own historical 4-star training hotel on Lake Lucerne, where students complete hands-on operational rotations and a 22-week paid internship each academic year. The institute also offers a one-semester Certificate pathway and seasonal Summer and Winter short programmes.

Product overview

IMI Switzerland offers a portfolio of hospitality, business, and culinary arts education programmes validated by Manchester Metropolitan University (UK). The core offering consists of undergraduate (BA/BSc) and postgraduate (MSc/Graduate Diploma) degree programmes, a one-semester Certificate programme for pathway students, and seasonal short programmes (Summer and Winter). Central to the student experience is the Hotel Seeburg, IMI's own historical 4-star training hotel, which provides integrated practical learning across all hospitality operations. All degree students also complete 22-week paid internships annually. The Summer Programme (July–August) and Winter Programme (January) offer immersive short-course experiences for prospective students and international participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hotel Seeburg: Historical 4-star training hotel on the shores of Lake Lucerne, serving as an extension of the IMI learning environment where students gain first-hand exposure to hospitality and management operations.

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programmes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Manchester Metropolitan University (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll IMI programmes are validated by Manchester Metropolitan University (UK), whose Business School holds the elite Triple Crown Accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA). Students receive UK-accredited BA (Hons) and MSc degrees through this partnership.
• Zurich Marriott HotelminorStrategic or Co-development Partner5-star Swiss industry partner providing internship opportunities and industry exposure for IMI students. Students visit the hotel to learn about diverse internship opportunities and professional connections available during their studies in Switzerland.
• International Education Partners and CounselorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal network of international partners and education counselors who guide students to IMI. These partners play a vital role in student recruitment and provide local guidance, particularly for students from Asia and other regions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• César Ritz Colleges Switzerland: Swiss hospitality school with bachelor and master programmes in hospitality and entrepreneurship. Comparable in programme mix, international student profile, and Swiss-based delivery model.
• BHMS (Business & Hotel Management School): Lucerne-based hospitality management school offering degree and diploma programmes. Closely comparable in geography (Swiss German-speaking), programme structure, and small-school positioning.
• École hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL): Switzerland's premier hospitality management school, offering bachelor's and master's degrees with strong industry placement. Most direct comparable to IMI in geography, programme structure, and target student profile.
• Les Roches International School of Hotel Management: Swiss-based international hospitality management school with Swiss-accredited and US-accredited pathways. Closely comparable in curriculum, international recruitment model, and premium positioning.
• Hotelschool The Hague: Leading European hospitality management school with bachelor's degree programmes and a strong operational training component. Comparable curriculum and graduate outcomes, though based in the Netherlands.
• Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS): Swiss-based hospitality school combining practical training in 4- and 5-star hotel facilities with academic degrees. Closely comparable given its hotel-based practical learning model.
• Glion Institute of Higher Education: Swiss hospitality and luxury management school with bachelor's and master's programmes. Comparable in student mix, premium pricing, and employer outcomes in luxury hospitality.
• Johnson & Wales University: US-based university with a strong hospitality, culinary arts, and business college offering bachelor's and master's degrees. Comparable curriculum mix and emphasis on practical industry experience.
• Hotel Institute Montreux (HIM): Swiss hospitality school offering Swiss-accredited degrees and US pathway programmes. Similar scale and direct overlap in target student segments, especially in international recruitment.

Broad incumbents

• Oxford Brookes University (Hospitality Management): Large UK university offering hospitality, tourism, and events management degrees. Comparable programme content but part of a broad multi-faculty university rather than a specialised hospitality institute.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/IMIhospitality
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/imi-university-centre-luzern
• Instagraminstagram.com/imiswitzerland
• TikToktiktok.com/@imiswitzerland
• Xx.com/imiluzern
• Facebookfacebook.com/IMI.University.Centre.Switzerland

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Hotel Management Institute Switzerland