Subject guide: Hospitality and tourism

Do you love travelling, learning about new cultures and meeting people? Of course you do – that’s why you want to study overseas. But these are also the qualities you need to enjoy a career in hospitality, the world’s largest service industry.

There is a growing shortage of well-trained senior managers in the hospitality and tourism industry, so a well-regarded hospitality qualification is a great way to launch your career. And it could take you around the world, working for international hotels, entertainment venues or amazing restaurants.

Vatel — a top hotel & tourism management school (France)

Whether ranked by the public or by industry professionals, Vatel is a leader in its field.

The institution was recently ranked second in the Institute of Public Surveys’ “Top Ten Hotel Schools in Europe” and was recipient of the 2003 Worldwide Hospitality Award in the category of “Best Training Programme”.

Vatel owes this international professional recognition to its distinctive teaching concept that alternates theory and practice and gives students the opportunity to acquire practical experience in the school's demonstration restaurants and hotels, all of which are open to the public. With fourteen campuses spread over four continents, the school attracts 1,200 students each year. Sixty per cent of Vatel's students are from France (where the school was founded) and from other European countries, while 40 per cent hail from other nations.

Vatel is an affiliate of a number of international professional associations. The relationships developed with major hotel groups both nationally and internationally enable students to undertake paid internships in highly renowned establishments pre-selected by the school. Eighty-five schools and universities around the world have established partnerships with Vatel, thus forming a network for international exchanges.

Graduates of the school have gone into the fields of Hotel Management, Restaurant Management, Sales and Marketing, Housekeeping Management, Human Resources Management and Consulting.

If you’d like to move ahead with your tourism management career, contact a counsellor.

Vancouver Community College culinary arts graduate named Canada's Next Great Chef

Vancouver Community College graduate Laura Sharpe recently won the Canadian national title of Next Great Chef through the reality TV show of the same name.

Ms Sharpe, 22, won over the judges with her hard work, superior technique, taste, and presentation in the finale. Her winning menu included an appetizer of roasted quail breast with foie gras torchon, followed by sous-vide flat iron steak with crab and fennel ravioli, and an array of creative lemon desserts to finish.

Prior to enrolling in the college’s acclaimed culinary arts program in 2001, Ms Sharpe had been working in the industry for 18 months. However, it was at VCC that she learned the techniques and discipline essential to a chef’s success.

Ms Sharpe said VCC taught her the basic skills and honed her talent. “I really enjoyed the program; the instructors were great.”

VCC chef and culinary arts department head Harald Bonkowski praised Sharpe's commitment, which helped her win a British Columbia Skills Canada gold medal while attending VCC.

"Even as a student, she demonstrated intense enthusiasm towards culinary competition," said Mr Bonkowski. "She was a great student who showed a remarkable passion for her studies —an inspiration to her instructors."

To learn more about VCC or its culinary arts courses, contact a counsellor.

Graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, Australia, receives international recognition.

Le Cordon Bleu Master of Arts (Gastronomy) graduate, Amy Reiley, was one of five finalists in the professional category of the International Wine Women Awards held in Paris earlier this year. These prestigious awards are aimed at recognising and rewarding the efforts of women in the wine industry.

Ms Reilly studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Australia, which is part of the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu School in Paris.  The school, with campuses in Sydney and Adelaide, services the needs of the international hospitality industry by offering a range of courses from diplomas to post graduate qualifications. 

To find a hospitality program that suits your needs Contact us.