“The Next General Manager of India” A program to identify Top Talent in Hospitality in India by IHCL and Les Roches

South Asia’s largest hospitality company The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), and Swiss institution Les Roches Global Hospitality Education, ranked number 3 of the world’s top institutions for hospitality management by the QS World University Rankings 2019, are combining forces to address the prevalent skills gap and prepare the next generation of leaders to advance the growth of the travel and tourism industry in India.

Dr Christine Demen Meier, Managing Director of Les Roches, said, “With its natural beauty and cultural attractions, rich diversity and a unique tradition of hospitality, India is already a popular travel destination. We look back on a long-standing presence in India and are thrilled to associate Les Roches’ Swiss model of education with IHCL, developing the necessary skills and promoting career opportunities in the hospitality industry.”

A dedicated initiative titled “The next General Manager of India” aimed at young hospitality professionals, will award one full scholarship to study at Les Roches’ MBA in Global Hospitality Management program in Switzerland, followed by a fast track development program at an IHCL hotel. Additionally, Les Roches will offer 50% scholarships to five runners up.

Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, stated, “IHCL as custodian of Indian hospitality has played a responsible part in nurturing talent in the industry. India has a huge untapped talent pool which is waiting to be unleashed. With forecasts of India being an over $ 5 trillion economy and the robust growth of travel and tourism, there is a tremendous opportunity for hospitality professionals. The partnership with Les Roches is one such significant step in creating global leaders of tomorrow.”

With an innovative curriculum that integrates business strategy, management theory and real-world problem solving, Les Roches’ MBA in Global Hospitality Management provides students with the skills and insights necessary for senior managerial positions. The program consists of two semesters of study, culminating in the submission of a dissertation and includes two experiential study trips to Chicago and Shanghai, adding global experience and industry exposure.