International Hotel and Tourism Training Institute

What International Hotel and Tourism Training Institute does

International Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (IHTTI) is a private Swiss hospitality and design management school, founded in 2004, that has operated as part of Swiss Education Group (SEG) — the largest private hospitality education group in Switzerland — since before its formal integration into SHMS Swiss Hotel Management School in February 2021. From that date, IHTTI ceased to exist as a standalone programme and now operates as three pathways (International Hospitality Management, International Hospitality & Design Management, International Hospitality & Events Management) under the SHMS brand. The institution delivers a 3-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Hospitality & Design Management, a 2-year Master of International Business in Hotel & Design Management, a Postgraduate Diploma, an MSc in International Hospitality Management, a 4-12 week English Foundation Programme, and 1-3 week Swiss Hospitality Club short courses. Degrees are awarded in partnership with the University of Derby (UK), and the design pathway is accredited by the Chartered Society of Designers.

The institution uses a Virtual Learning Environment combining Moodle for content management and Zoom for live interactive sessions, supported by 16-20 hours of weekly online instruction, with design modules taught on industry-standard tools (SketchUp, AutoCAD, Photoshop, V-Ray, WordPress). Career services are delivered through the Hosco-powered global alumni platform (6,000 employers, 40,000+ jobs/internships, 24,000+ alumni). Programmes are delivered across the Caux and Leysin campuses in former palace hotels in Vaud, Switzerland.

IHTTI operates a tuition-driven business model with multi-year contract billing: students pay per term, with a CHF 3,000 registration fee (applied toward first term fees) and CHF 290 per-term cancellation insurance. Bachelor's students complete two 6-month paid internships (minimum CHF 2,212/month in Switzerland) and Master's students complete two 4-6 month paid internships. Recruitment runs direct-to-consumer via the ihtti.com website, global webinars, virtual and physical open days, and a network of regional representatives attending student fairs across six regions (Africa-Middle East, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, North America, Western Europe). The student base spans 110+ nationalities as part of SEG's 6,000+ student body.

Name

International Hotel and Tourism Training Institute

Legal name

IHTTI School of Hotel Management

Website

https://ihtti.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Short description

IHTTI is a Swiss private hospitality and design management school, founded in 2004 and now operating as pathways under SHMS within Swiss Education Group, offering Bachelor's and Master's degrees awarded with the University of Derby to international students across multiple Swiss campuses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospitality Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Study Abroad Program Management & Administration (for Institutions) (EDAIAAAJ)

Keywords

• Hospitality education
• Hotel management training
• Tourism education
• Design management
• Culinary arts education

Headquarters

HQ city

Neuchatel

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

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 – Bachelor's Degree: 3-year Bachelor's degree in International Hospitality & Design Management with tuition fees covering two campuses (Caux for Years 1–2, Leysin for Year 3), Swiss diplomas at each level, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) awarded by University of Derby. Includes 6-month paid internship periods (minimum monthly gross salary in Switzerland: CHF 2,212). Fees are paid per term with deposits and balance due before arrival.
2. Tuition Fees – Master's Degree (MIB): 2-year Master of International Business in Hotel & Design Management. Year 1 covers hotel operations and design with a paid internship (4–6 months). Year 2 covers luxury business and design project with another 4–6 month paid internship. Postgraduate Diploma awarded after Year 1, Master's degree upon completion.
3. Tuition Fees – Postgraduate Diploma: Postgraduate Diploma in International Hotel & Design Management, available as part of the Master's programme pathway (Year 1). February intake only.
4. Short Courses – Swiss Hospitality Club: 1–3 week introductory hospitality courses for 16–20 year-olds covering Hospitality, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Hotels & Event Management, and English. Priced at CHF 1,800/week, CHF 3,600 for 2 weeks, CHF 5,200 for 3 weeks, with additional weeks at CHF 1,600. Includes tuition, accommodation, meals, activities, and excursions.
5. English Foundation Programme: 4–12 week intensive English language programme (20+ hours per week) delivered at Hotel Institute Montreux. IELTS test centre available on-site. Runs in 4-week blocks year-round. Designed to prepare students for academic studies at any SEG school.
6. Application and Registration Fees: Registration fee of CHF 3,000 (applied toward first term fees) and cancellation insurance of CHF 290 per term. These are charged during the provisional acceptance stage of the three-step application process.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IHTTI is a Swiss hospitality school that delivers Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in International Hospitality & Design Management, along with Postgraduate Diplomas, an English Foundation Programme, and short courses through the Swiss Hospitality Club. Founded in 2004 and operating campuses in Caux and Leysin, the school combines classroom-based academic study with paid hospitality-industry internships embedded in the curriculum. The school is part of Swiss Education Group (SEG) and targets international students seeking specialised hospitality and design management careers.

Product overview

IHTTI School of Hotel Management is an educational institution offering a portfolio of hospitality and design management programmes. The core offerings include a Bachelor of Arts (3-year) and Master of International Business (2-year) in International Hospitality & Design Management, both awarded in partnership with the University of Derby, UK. Supporting programmes include a Postgraduate Diploma, an English Foundation Programme, and short courses under the Swiss Hospitality Club. The institution also provides paid internship placements and access to the Hosco career networking platform. Note: From February 2021, IHTTI programmes are offered under the SHMS Swiss Hotel Management School brand following an integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Arts in International Hospitality & Design Management

Quantifiable outcome

• SHMS ranked 5th worldwide in QS World University Rankings by Subject (Hospitality & Leisure) – up from 7th place
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Le Mirador Health & Wellness CentreminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 July 2020Le Mirador Health & Wellness Centre partners with SEG for the Global Webinar Series, presenting on wellness tourism and its business impact on the hospitality industry.
• Japan AirlinesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 July 2020Japan Airlines participates in SEG's Global Webinar Series, presenting on digital transformation in hospitality from an airline perspective, addressing travel industry impact post-COVID-19.
• Rosewood Hotel GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 July 2020Rosewood Hotel Group is a webinar partner in SEG's Global Webinar Series, presenting on hotel development, owner-centric culture, and bespoke brand positioning. A senior director of development (Europe) served as presenter.
• The Ritz-Carlton Hotel CompanyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 June 2020The Ritz-Carlton participates as an industry panellist in SEG's Global Webinar Series (Defining the Leader of Tomorrow panel discussion), providing insights into hospitality leadership. Representatives from Ritz-Carlton properties in Barcelona, Dubai, and Mexico joined as speakers.
• Switzerland TourismminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 April 2020Switzerland Tourism is an industry webinar partner in SEG's Global Webinar Series, presenting on topics including their COVID-19 recovery plan and travel destination marketing. Collaboration provides students with insights into destination marketing and tourism promotion.
• HoscocoreTechnology or Integration · 9 March 2020Hosco is SEG's global career networking platform, officially launched on 9 March 2020. It provides 6,000 employers, 40,000+ job and internship opportunities, and connects 24,000+ SEG alumni. Available to all current students and alumni as a career services and alumni networking tool. Hosco also hosts the IHTTI landing page at ihtti.hosco.com.
• University of Derby, UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Derby is the degree-awarding partner for IHTTI's Bachelor's degree (Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Hospitality & Design Management) and the MSc programme. The university is a UK-based public higher education institution providing accreditation and degree conferral for the Swiss campus-based programmes.
• Chartered Society of Designers (CSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Chartered Society of Designers provides professional accreditation for IHTTI's design pathway, ensuring that graduates receive recognition from a professional design body alongside their hospitality management qualification.
• SHMS Swiss Hotel Management SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHTTI operates as a pathway under SHMS following the 2021 integration. IHTTI's Hospitality & Design pathway is offered alongside SHMS's International Hospitality Management and International Hospitality & Events Management pathways. Students share campuses, faculty, services, and can take shared classes, group projects, and VIP banquet events together. SHMS is ranked top 5 hospitality school worldwide and is the only Apple Distinguished School in hospitality management.
• Swiss Education Group (SEG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHTTI is one of five schools under the Swiss Education Group umbrella. SEG is the largest private hospitality education group in Switzerland with nearly 40 years of experience, operating six campuses and serving over 6,000 students from 110+ countries. SEG provides shared admissions, career services, Hosco platform, International Recruitment Forum, and central brand authority.
• John PaulminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohn Paul is listed as an industry partner of IHTTI, providing guest lectures, industry insights, and potentially internship or employment opportunities for students.
• HublotminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHublot luxury watch brand is listed as an industry partner, potentially contributing to luxury brand management curriculum and guest lectures on luxury positioning.
• Andaz (Hotels by Hyatt)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAndaz boutique hotel brand (part of Hyatt) is listed as an industry partner, offering insights into luxury lifestyle hotel operations and potentially internship/job pathways.
• Mandarin Oriental Hotel GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn partnership with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, SEG (including IHTTI) conducts research on best practices for the hospitality industry during and after the COVID-19 crisis. Findings are included in academic programmes across all SEG schools. Mandarin Oriental executives also contribute to SEG's Global Webinar Series.
• Waxpol Hotels and ResortsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaxpol Hotels and Resorts contributed industry perspective to SEG's hospitality recovery article. Founder Director Akanksha Garg provided commentary on domestic travel patterns, pricing strategies, and safety protocols post-COVID-19.
• The Belgadia PalaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Belgadia Palace (India) contributed industry perspective to SEG's hospitality recovery article, with Director Akshita M Bhanj Deo providing insights on proximity-focused and low-cost safe travel trends.
• Four Seasons Hotel, SeoulminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFour Seasons Seoul contributed industry perspective on agile business practices, flexibility, and employee welfare during the COVID-19 crisis. General Manager Alejandro Bernabé shared insights on long-term thinking and associate support.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• César Ritz Colleges Switzerland: Sibling school under Swiss Education Group, ranked 13th globally in QS rankings (up 3 places). Offers Bachelor's and Master's in hospitality and culinary business with similar Le Bouveret/Brig campus footprint, sharing SEG's recruitment infrastructure and Hosco career platform directly with IHTTI.
• BHMS (Business & Hotel Management School): Lucerne-based Swiss hospitality school offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in hotel and tourism management. Competes with IHTTI for international students seeking Swiss hospitality credentials with internship-based learning and is located within the same Swiss Education Group ecosystem as a peer private provider.
• HTMi Hotel and Tourism Management Institute: Swiss-based (Sörenberg) private hospitality school offering Swiss/UK dual degrees with strong international recruitment focus. Closely comparable to IHTTI in size, programme structure, and target audience of international students seeking paid Swiss internships.
• École hôtelière de Lausanne: Switzerland's premier hospitality management school, consistently ranked #1 worldwide in QS subject rankings. Offers Bachelor's and Master's programmes in hospitality with luxury and digital specialisations, directly competing with IHTTI/SHMS for international students seeking a Swiss hospitality degree.
• Les Roches International School of Hotel Management: Swiss-based private hospitality school (Crans-Montana and Marbella) offering Bachelor's and MBA programmes with similar paid-internship structure. Direct competitor for international students considering Switzerland for hospitality higher education and targeting similar luxury hotel employer outcomes.
• Glion Institute of Higher Education: Swiss luxury hospitality school (Glion and Bulle campuses) owned by Sommet Education. Offers Bachelor's and Master's in hospitality with similar curriculum emphasis on luxury brand management and practical internships — directly competing for the same international student demographic as IHTTI.
• Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland: Sibling SEG school ranked #1 culinary school in the world in QS rankings. While focused on culinary arts, it shares Swiss Education Group's recruitment infrastructure, campus facilities in Le Bouveret and Lucerne, and overlapping prospective student pool with IHTTI's hospitality programmes.
• HIM Hotel Institute Montreux: Sibling school under Swiss Education Group, based in Montreux. Offers US- and Swiss-accredited hospitality degrees with strong focus on business management, sharing SEG's central admissions, marketing, and career services platforms with IHTTI.

Others

• University of Derby: UK public university and IHTTI's degree-awarding partner for Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and MSc programmes. While not a direct competitor, it is a strategic enabler providing British academic accreditation that underpins IHTTI's international recognition and dual-degree value proposition.

Emerging players

• International School of Hospitality (ISS) at Les Roches: Les Roches-affiliated hospitality programmes targeting working professionals and career changers in service-intensive markets. Comparable to IHTTI's Postgraduate Diploma pathway in serving experienced learners seeking hospitality credentials, though not direct on-campus competition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ihtti
• Facebookfacebook.com/IHTTI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ihtti-school-of-hotel-management

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 and Tourism Training Institute