Professional Qualifications in Hotel Operations draft
Program Overview
Professional Qualifications in Hotel Operations
About
This short Certificate Course (22 Weeks) provides students with an understanding of operational aspects of running food and beverage operations and rooms division operations (front office, housekeeping and reservations).
Description
The two semesters of the course blend specialized hands-on training with the general business skills required in the management of hotel operations in the Food & Beverage and Rooms Division areas. After completing six months’ study, you will be given the opportunity to gain insight and confidence in the industry by completing a period of industry placement of no less than 20 weeks at a hotel approved by the school. This placement is an important element in the Hotel Operations course and will enable you to put the theoretical knowledge and skills you have gained during your studies into professional practice. An important part of your placement will be the written report that you must submit at the end of your placement, in which you have to identify a problem area in the hotel/restaurant operation and recommend solutions or improvements.
The necessary practical skills are developed early in the programme to ensure that students are able to operate quickly and competently within a hospitality and tourism environment. Management competencies are developed throughout the programme to provide the tools for assuming greater unit and people responsibility over time. In particular, the Swiss philosophy of hospitality education and training is passed onto and assimilated by the students through the Applied Hotel Operations module which affords them a valuable opportunity to develop not only their practical skills but also their supervisory and management skills.
Curriculum
- Customer Service & Effective Communication Workshops
- Food & Beverage Service Management
- Food & Beverage Practical Classes in the Restaurant (serving lunch over 4 days a week)
- Food & Beverage Planning & Control and/or Restaurant Operations Management (depending on which semester you join)
- Property Management Systems (Opera)
- Managing Front Office Operations
- Managing Housekeeping Operations
- Housekeeping Operations – Application
- Career & Placement Seminar
- Industry Placement
Program Statistics
- 8,540 Graduates
- 2 Campuses
- 44 Programs
- 4 Decades of Experience
Program Offerings
- Hotel Management
- Culinary Arts
- Distance Learning
- Business Management
- Postgraduate Studies
- Events Management
- Spa Management
- Cruise Management
- Foundation & English Courses
- Security Management
Program Outline
The program blends specialized hands-on training with general business skills needed for managing hotel operations in Food & Beverage and Rooms Division areas. A key component is a six-month industry placement (minimum 20 weeks) at a school-approved hotel, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge and skills. This placement culminates in a written report identifying a problem area and proposing solutions. The program aims to develop practical skills early on, enabling students to work competently in a hospitality and tourism environment. Management competencies are developed throughout, preparing students for increased responsibility. The Swiss philosophy of hospitality education and training is emphasized through the Applied Hotel Operations module, fostering the development of practical, supervisory, and management skills.
Outline:
The curriculum includes:
- Customer Service & Effective Communication Workshops
- Food & Beverage Service Management
- Food & Beverage Practical Classes in the Restaurant (serving lunch over 4 days a week)
- Food & Beverage Planning & Control and/or Restaurant Operations Management (depending on which semester you join)
- Property Management Systems (Opera)
- Managing Housekeeping Operations
- Housekeeping Operations – Application
- Career & Placement Seminar
Teaching:
The text mentions a blend of specialized hands-on training and general business skills. Food & Beverage Practical Classes involve serving lunch four days a week. The Swiss philosophy of hospitality education and training is explicitly mentioned as a key aspect of the Applied Hotel Operations module.
Careers:
The program aims to prepare students for careers in hotel operations, specifically within food and beverage and rooms division areas. The industry placement provides valuable experience and networking opportunities. While specific career paths aren't listed, the skills gained suggest potential roles in front office management, housekeeping management, food and beverage management, and other operational roles within hotels and hospitality settings.
Other:
The program is offered in Greece and is a 22-week course. The program emphasizes the development of both practical and management skills, incorporating a significant industry placement component. The Swiss Alpine Center's philosophy of hospitality education and training is a core element of the program.
Alpine Center, the Swiss Business School For International Hotel & Tourism Management Education
Overview:
Alpine Center is a global educational alliance specializing in hospitality, tourism, events, and culinary arts management education. It was established in Switzerland in 1986 with a mission to take Swiss hospitality education to countries where tourism was developing. Its flagship campus was established in Greece in 1987 and offers a wide range of programs, including certificates, diplomas, undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs, with a focus on practical application of theory and industry placements. the school boasts a vast graduate network with alumni holding leading positions in the hospitality industry worldwide. The Online Campus in Switzerland offers a variety of hospitality management courses online.
Services Offered:
On-campus and distance learning programs:
- Students can choose to study on campus or remotely, catering to different learning preferences and schedules.
Paid industry placements:
- Integral to the curriculum, these placements provide students with practical experience in the hospitality industry, putting theory into practice.
Foundation and English courses:
- These courses prepare students for the academic demands of the programs and ensure they have the necessary language skills.
Student Life and Campus Experience:
The school has two campuses: one in Greece with an operating 4-star hotel and another online campus based in Switzerland. Students can expect a diverse and international learning environment, with opportunities to meet people from all over the world. The on-campus experience in Greece includes access to the hotel facilities and the chance to gain practical experience in a real-world setting.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Pioneering leader in hospitality, tourism, and culinary education:
- The school has a long history of providing high-quality education in these fields with an extensive link to the industry, locally and globally.
Vast graduate network:
- Students benefit from the connections and opportunities provided by the school's extensive network of alumni.
Practical experience through industry placements:
- The focus on practical experience ensures students are well-prepared for the demands of the hospitality industry.
International learning environment:
- Students have the opportunity to learn from and interact with peers from diverse backgrounds. In the last 38 years, Alpine Center welcomed students from 70 different countries.
Academic Programs:
The school offers a wide range of programs, including:
Hotel Management:
- A variety of courses, including BA(Hons) International Hospitality & Tourism Management and Swiss Alpine Diploma in Hotel Management. In 2026 two new programs will be launched: MSc Luxury Hospitality & Tourism Management, and a BSc(Hons) Hospitality and Events Management.
Culinary Arts:
- Two types of programs are offered: 2-year Swiss Alpine Diploma in Culinary Arts Management and a 2-year Swiss Alpine Diploma in Culinary Arts Operations.
Distance Learning:
- A wide range of distance learning/online courses are available, including 12-course Hospitality Management Diploma Online and 5 Course of Specialization in Rooms Division, Food & Beverage Management, Accounting and Finance, Sales & Marketing, events & Conventions Management, and Spa Management.
Postgraduate Studies:
- An MSc in International Hospitality & Tourism Management, and in 2025, an MSc in Luxury Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Spa Management:
- Courses in Spa Management are offered online.
Cruise Management:
- Courses in Cruise Hotel Operations Management are offered online and on campus.
Foundation & English Courses:
- Courses to prepare students for the academic demands of the programs.
Security Management:
Courses in Hospitality Security Management Career Diploma and Advanced Certificate in Applied Security and Risk Management.
Other:
Throughout the span of three years, SAC not only imparted theoretical knowledge but also nurtured essential practical competencies crucial for thriving in the ever-evolving hospitality sector. The faculty’s unwavering commitment to cultivating a global outlook proved invaluable, particularly for an international student like me.
....track record of producing successful graduates in the hospitality industry. The alumni network and career support services provided by this institution are exceptional and will undoubtedly help me kick-start my career.
