INTERVIEW - CARLOS DIEZ DE LA LASTRA, CEO, LES ROCHES GLOBAL - 1ST PART: "TRAINING LEADERS WHO ANTICIPATE AND SHAPE THE FUTURE OF INDUSTRY"
In a two-part interview, the CEO of the school of excellence talks about its strengths and international appeal, as well as Les Roches' new programmes and directions.
INTERVIEW - CARLOS DIEZ DE LA LASTRA, CEO, LES ROCHES GLOBAL - 1ST PART: "TRAINING LEADERS WHO ANTICIPATE AND SHAPE THE FUTURE OF INDUSTRY"
In a two-part interview, the CEO of the school of excellence talks about its strengths and international appeal, as well as Les Roches' new programmes and directions.
Appointed almost two years ago to head the Swiss international school, Carlos Diez de la Lastra has embraced the challenge of respecting the heritage of Les Roches' courses of excellence and speeding up the digital shift undertaken by the school.
The school, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, is ranked fourth in the QS World University Rankings 2023 in the 'Hospitality & Leisure Management' category. With a community of over 16,000 alumni, more than 2,200 students and more than 100 nationalities represented on its campuses, Les Roches is raising the profile of the hotel industry internationally. This international presence is strengthened by the complementary nature of its campuses in Spain, Switzerland and, soon, the United Arab Emirates.
Les Roches' strengths, attractiveness, international development - in this first part, Carlos Diez de la Lastra tells us all about what constitutes the DNA of this prestigious Swiss school. In an interview to be published shortly in the Journal des Palaces, the CEO will talk about the new features of Les Roches courses.
Journal des Palaces: What are the strengths of Les Roches compared with other schools of excellence in the hotel industry?
Carlos Diez de la Lastra: Les Roches is one of the best schools in the world for combining its historic ability to train leaders who are faithful to the essence of hospitality, i.e. excellence in service and customer care, with a desire for innovation and the skills to manage new market trends.
Spark, for example, an ecosystem of innovation and trend development in the hotel industry, enables students and partners to develop innovative solutions. We can also mention the World Tourism Organisation, with which we are collaborating as part of the Awake Tourism Challenge, involving students in projects linked to the challenges of sustainable tourism.
In addition, our partnerships with start-ups provide opportunities for case studies and practical work, preparing our students for the latest technological trends. Our dedicated facilities also incorporate technologies such as virtual reality, offering students an immersive, hands-on experience. This ongoing commitment reinforces our mission to train leaders who anticipate and shape the future of the industry.
Could you talk about the international influence of Les Roches?
Indeed, we are the only institution among the leaders in the sector that offers students the opportunity to train in some of the world's most important resort destinations. We have the Alpine campus in Crans-Montana (Switzerland), one of the world's most important mountain tourism destinations, but also our campus in Marbella (Spain), at the heart of one of Europe's most popular seaside and luxury destinations.
But also from 2024 with campuses in Abu-Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), in one of the world's most promising growth destinations, and in Shanghai (China), arguably the most technologically advanced urban destination today. By enabling students to diversify their experiences within different cultures and environments, we aim to prepare them for the global challenges of the hospitality industry, while improving their adaptability and broadening their career prospects.
What is your relationship with the hotel industry?
We work closely with industry partners, offering our students access to an exclusive professional network and expert advice from experienced professionals. These direct connections, combined with the practical experience of our students, allow us to proudly show that our students have an average of three to five internship offers per semester, but also that 94% of them have job offers on the day they graduate.
It is this unique combination of different elements that attracts young people and professionals to our institution, looking for quality training that prepares them not only to be excellent managers, but also to be tomorrow's leaders in the hospitality industry.
Les Roches is a leader in the sector for its ability to train well-rounded professionals who stand out for their loyalty to the principles that define high-quality service in the hotel industry and at the same time have the skills needed to adapt and take advantage of new trends in the sector. Today, it is widely recognised in the hotel sector and in top-of-the-range service and tourism companies, with a network of over 16,000 professionals and managers who currently run the best hotel companies and innovative hotel projects in over a hundred countries, defining the future of the sector.
As a journalist and luxury hotel expert inspired by the men and women who embody it, Vanessa aspires to enhance and sublimate the beauty and elegance of palaces through her writing. "In a palace, simplicity serves the quest for excellence" she admires.
