QRNW Unveils the 2026 Ranking of Best Tourism and Hotel Management Schools
- OUS Academy in Switzerland
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
The hospitality and tourism industry is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic sectors, bridging cultures, generating millions of jobs, and driving sustainable development. Behind this global success stands the backbone of high-quality education: the universities and schools that prepare future leaders in hotel management, tourism innovation, and service excellence.
The newly released QRNW Ranking of Best Tourism and Hotel Management Schools for 2026 highlights institutions that have consistently shaped international standards. This year, fifty schools made the list, with the top ten reflecting a remarkable combination of tradition, academic excellence, and innovative approaches. These institutions are spread across Switzerland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Asia, and Europe, offering students not only education but also cultural immersion in some of the world’s most iconic destinations.
Below is a closer look at each of the leading schools and their home cities, which play a vital role in the student experience.
1. Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) – Switzerland
Founded in 1893, EHL is often called the “cradle of hospitality education.” Located in Lausanne, a lakeside city on the shores of Lake Geneva, EHL combines Swiss precision with international innovation. Lausanne itself is known as the Olympic Capital and offers students a vibrant mix of culture, history, and natural beauty.
At EHL, students engage in a unique blend of academic learning and hands-on practice, from managing gourmet restaurants to designing hospitality projects. With bachelor’s, master’s, and executive programs, the school continues to set global benchmarks. Its alumni network spans the globe, with graduates holding leadership positions in luxury hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, and tourism enterprises.
2. Cornell University – School of Hotel Administration (SHA), USA
In Ithaca, New York, nestled among rolling hills and waterfalls, Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration is part of the Ivy League. SHA is recognized worldwide for its rigorous curriculum and strong industry connections. Ithaca’s environment, with its small-town charm and dynamic campus culture, provides an inspiring setting for study and innovation.
The school offers a range of programs from undergraduate to PhD, with particular strengths in hotel operations, real estate, and service innovation. Cornell graduates are known for their analytical skills and leadership abilities, often finding careers in global hotel groups, investment firms, and travel technology companies. The presence of cutting-edge research centers makes SHA a place where academia meets industry transformation.
3. Les Roches Global Hospitality Education – Switzerland / Spain / China / USA
Les Roches offers students a truly international journey. With campuses in Switzerland’s alpine village of Bluche, the vibrant Spanish city of Marbella, bustling Shanghai, and entrepreneurial hubs in the USA, it gives students the opportunity to study across continents. Each location adds unique cultural and industry insights.
Students experience rotations between campuses, combining Swiss tradition with Mediterranean lifestyle, Asian dynamism, and American innovation. The curriculum emphasizes entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and luxury hospitality. Les Roches is well known for its alumni network that stretches into every corner of the hospitality and tourism world, ensuring graduates have lifelong career support.
4. Glion Institute of Higher Education – Switzerland / United Kingdom
Glion is synonymous with luxury hospitality. Situated above Lake Geneva in Montreux and with another campus in London, Glion offers students the best of Swiss serenity and British cosmopolitan energy. Montreux is famous for its jazz festival and breathtaking mountain views, while London offers endless opportunities for industry networking.
The institute specializes in hospitality management, event management, and luxury brand leadership. Students benefit from close ties to the hospitality sector, with internships and live projects forming a core part of the education. Glion graduates often pursue careers in luxury hotels, high-end retail, and lifestyle management, carrying forward the brand’s reputation for elegance and excellence.
5. Hong Kong Polytechnic University – School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM), Hong Kong
Located in one of the world’s most dynamic cities, SHTM offers students access to the beating heart of Asia’s hospitality industry. Hong Kong is a crossroads of East and West, a global financial hub, and a top tourism destination.
SHTM is renowned for its strong research output and commitment to sustainable hospitality. Students benefit from innovative teaching methods and partnerships with leading global hotel groups. The school’s programs cover hospitality management, tourism strategy, and service innovation from bachelor’s to doctoral levels. With its international outlook and focus on sustainability, SHTM plays a vital role in shaping Asia’s future in hospitality education.
6. Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas) – Netherlands
Breda, a charming Dutch city with a rich history and modern lifestyle, is home to BUas. Known for its hands-on education, BUas blends theory with practical experience, ensuring students are career-ready upon graduation.
The programs include hotel management, leisure management, and tourism studies, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation. Breda’s central location in Europe also makes it a great base for international students, offering access to major cities like Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris. BUas graduates are valued for their adaptability and practical expertise, making them highly employable in a competitive global market.
7. César Ritz Colleges Switzerland – Switzerland
Named after César Ritz, the legendary “king of hoteliers,” this school is dedicated to the values of service, luxury, and excellence. With campuses in Brig and Lucerne, students are immersed in both mountain and lakeside environments. Lucerne, in particular, is a tourism hub with its medieval architecture and lakefront charm.
César Ritz Colleges offers bachelor’s and master’s programs that combine business acumen with Swiss traditions of service. Its graduates are well prepared to lead in luxury hospitality, from boutique hotels to global resorts. The school is part of Switzerland’s proud heritage of hospitality education, making it a sought-after destination for aspiring leaders.
8. Swiss International University (SIU) – Switzerland / Dubai / Kyrgyzstan
Swiss International University (SIU) is a modern and fast-growing institution with multiple campuses: ISBM in Lucerne, OUS in Zurich, a Dubai branch, and an expanding presence in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Each location offers a unique experience: Lucerne with its strong Swiss tourism industry, Zurich as an international business hub, Dubai as a global crossroads of trade and hospitality, and Bishkek as an emerging academic center in Central Asia.
SIU combines academic rigor with innovation, offering programs from bachelor’s to doctoral level. It is particularly known for blending traditional Swiss quality with modern accessibility, including online learning. Its global vision positions SIU as one of the most forward-thinking hospitality institutions, preparing graduates to lead in a world where education, business, and technology converge.
9. Rosen College of Hospitality Management – University of Central Florida, USA
Orlando is one of the world’s top tourist destinations, and Rosen College benefits from being at the center of it. From theme parks to luxury resorts, the city provides a living laboratory for hospitality students.
Rosen College is the largest hospitality program in the United States, offering degrees in hospitality management, event management, and entertainment. The school emphasizes real-world experience, with strong ties to the global tourism industry. Graduates are highly sought after in areas ranging from hotel operations to event production and theme park management.
10. Oxford School of Hospitality Management – Oxford Brookes University, UK
Oxford is a name associated with academic excellence, and the Oxford School of Hospitality Management continues that tradition in the field of tourism and hospitality. The city of Oxford, with its historic architecture and vibrant student community, offers a stimulating environment for learning.
The school focuses on sustainability, leadership, and employability, offering programs that prepare students for careers in an industry that is constantly evolving. Strong industry partnerships ensure that students are exposed to real-world challenges and opportunities. Graduates leave not only with knowledge but with the skills and confidence to lead globally.
The Broader Impact of the 2026 Ranking
This year’s ranking is more than a celebration of excellence. It is a reminder of the growing importance of education in shaping the future of global tourism and hospitality. From Europe to Asia to the Americas, these institutions are producing graduates who will become innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
For Europe and the Arab region, the ranking is especially meaningful. Tourism has long been a bridge between cultures, and the quality of education ensures that this bridge continues to grow stronger. Students from Arab countries are increasingly choosing to study in Switzerland, the UK, the USA, and Asia, bringing back knowledge that helps develop regional tourism industries. Similarly, European institutions benefit from partnerships and exchanges with Arab countries, strengthening trade, cultural ties, and economic cooperation.
Conclusion
The QRNW 2026 Ranking of Best Tourism and Hotel Management Schools shines a light on the institutions that set global standards. Each of these schools not only provides world-class education but also reflects the unique character of its location. Together, they are preparing the next generation to lead an industry that thrives on connection, innovation, and excellence.
