Les Roches International School of Hotel Management has launched a specialised course in spa and health management – in collaboration with ESPA and Genolier Swiss Medical Network (GSMN).

The Bachelor of Business Administration in International Hotel Management degree offers the Spa and Health Management specialisation course which lasts seven semesters, based at the Les Roches campus in Bluche, Switzerland. The course focuses on the business and operational aspects of health and aesthetics, spa medicine and hotel spa services.

Students will visit

ESPA-branded spas in London and spend two days visiting one of the GSMN’s clinics in Genolier, near Geneva, to learn from experts about working in a high-end health company that offers first-class hospital care to its patients.

The programme is designed to prepare students to enter an industry experiencing significant growth, by allowing them to apply everything they learn at Les Roches through hands-on experience and internships.

The aim is to let students experience best practice as they learn about current and future trends, sustainability and environmental issues, retail spa operations, history and philosophy, as well as the business and leadership dynamics of the wellness industry. Course participants will conduct an integrated business project.

“Globally, it is increasingly difficult to find commercial, guest and therapist-sensitive spa managers and directors who understand both the Spa and Hotel industry," Susan Harmsworth MBE, chief executive of ESPA told Spa Opportunities. "I am impressed with the curriculum that Les Roches have put together for their spa module, which also has a good internship period. We are thrilled to have partnered with them to give both the students and ESPA spas the opportunity of employing well trained and experienced spa students.”

“Building a unique academic programme, paired with focused experiential learning and strong partners such as GSMN and ESPA, will set students on a solid career path,” said Sonia Tatar, CEO at Les Roches.

“Graduates will benefit from the extensive expertise and knowledge of two renowned leaders in the industry. Our students graduate with the business acumen, hospitality mindset and five-star service approach which forms the very core of this sector.”