Hainan Lausanne Tourism University (HLTU) Officially Opens, and Hosts Inaugural Advisory Board Meeting and China–Switzerland Tourism & Hospitality Innovation Conference

Sanya, September 16, 2025 – EHL Hospitality Business School, the world’s leading institution in hospitality management education, and its longtime partner China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) proudly celebrated the Opening Ceremony of Hainan Lausanne Tourism University (HLTU). The events on September 8–9 in Sanya also included the first meeting of HLTU’s Advisory Board and the China–Switzerland Conference on Innovation and Development in Tourism and Hospitality, reinforcing the university’s role as a new platform for international collaboration in education, talent development, and industry innovation.

A New Chapter for Hospitality Education in China

HLTU’s establishment coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland and marks a milestone in the opening-up of China’s education sector. The university combines Swiss academic excellence, Chinese practice, and global vision to cultivate a new generation of leaders for the tourism and service industries.

At the opening ceremony, dignitaries including Mr. Liu Xiaoming, Governor of Hainan Province, Mr. Martin Matter, Economic Counsellor at the Embassy of Switzerland in China, and Mr. Song Hailiang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CCCC, underlined the significance of the project for the Hainan Free Trade Port and international educational cooperation. Prof. Markus Venzin, CEO of EHL, emphasized that HLTU represents a key step in EHL’s global strategy: “Amid the rapid transformation of the global tourism landscape, the establishment of HLTU is opening accessible pathways to international excellence in hospitality education in Hainan and across China,” said Markus Venzin, CEO of EHL. “Our goal is not only to share EHL’s century-long expertise in hospitality, but also to create a deeply localized and innovative talent development program tailored to China and across Southeast Asia as a fast-emerging international tourism destination. This marks yet another vivid practice of EHL’s mission to ‘educate to shape the industry’.”  

Advisory Board Sets Strategic Direction

The inaugural Advisory Board meeting brought together leaders from government, academia, and industry to chart the strategic priorities for HLTU. The board committed to:

• Developing a localized and innovative curriculum to serve the tourism industry, MICE economy, and sustainable growth.
• Integrating global resources to nurture talent with both international vision and local insight.

Strengthening industry–education collaboration to prepare future-ready talents and accelerate innovation in the sector.

China–Switzerland Conference: Thought Leadership for the Industry

Under the theme “Building a New Future for Global Tourism Development Together,” the conference gathered policymakers, CEOs, and academic leaders for high-level dialogue on the future of global tourism and hospitality.

Three panel discussions addressed key industry challenges and opportunities facing the industry:

• Talent Development and Education for the Global Hospitality Industry
  The first panel addressed the pressing global talent shortage, with the tourism sector expected to create 126 million new jobs by 2030. Panelists explored how to bridge skills gaps, reduce turnover, and redesign hospitality education to prepare a future-ready workforce. 
  The session emphasized that investing in people remains the cornerstone of building a resilient, innovative hospitality sector.
• Technological Innovation and Upgrading the Tourism Experience
  The second panel examined how digital innovation is reshaping the travel experience. In 2024, more than 73% of travelers used mobile-first platforms to plan trips, and nearly 50% engaged with AI-powered tools. 
  Panelists underscored that technology is no longer optional — it is the driver of transformation in tourism and hospitality.
• International Hospitality Industry Cooperation and Regional Tourism Integration
  The final panel explored how nations and regions can collaborate to build seamless tourism ecosystems and sustainable growth models. 
  The session concluded that collaboration is the currency of progress — by working together across borders, the industry can unlock extraordinary opportunities for growth and innovation.

A Strategic Hub for Tourism Innovation

With the launch of HLTU, EHL and CCCC also announce the creation of Hainan FTP Innovation Center empowered by EHL Innovation Hub (Singapore). HLTU is the strategic combination of EHL’s academic heritage and Hainan’s dynamic policy environment to create a world-class hub for tourism talent development, research, and industry collaboration. The university is uniquely positioned to support the rapid development of Hainan Free Trade Port, contribute to the global hospitality talent pipeline, and serve as a bridge for Sino–Swiss and international cooperation.

The first cohort of students attending the opening ceremony.

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