Hainan Lausanne Tourism University welcomes Class of 2026

Hainan Lausanne Tourism University held its opening ceremony on Sept 7 for the Class of 2026 in Sanya — the ever-popular tropical seaside resort city in China's southernmost Hainan province.

Freshmen from all over the country came together on campus, ready to start their university journey with shining youthful dreams and a passion for progress.

An independent institution established in Hainan by foreign universities, Hainan Lausanne Tourism University draws on the academic strengths of Switzerland's EHL Hospitality Business School. It combines global tourism and hotel management concepts with the practical realities of China's cultural and tourism industries.

The university aims to provide an educational platform with an international outlook and professional expertise that is tailored to industry needs — supporting the high-quality development of the Hainan FTP's cultural and tourism sector.

This is only the university's second year in operation. Over the past year, it has continued to enhance its educational programs — fostering collaborations between academia and industry.

The university is closely aligned with key sectors like tourism and high-end hotels, creating a wide-ranging curriculum that empowers students.

After completing courses in business theory and practical skills, the first batch of students has already started internships.

They've been posted to international hotels in cities such as Sanya in Hainan province, to Beijing and Shanghai, as well as to Guangzhou and Shenzhen in Guangdong province — where they're honing their professional skills in the real world.

At the opening ceremony, Dr Luciano Lopez, acting president and vice-president of teaching and academic affairs of Hainan Lausanne Tourism University, encouraged new students to stay curious and open-minded.

He urged them to be bold in exploring new ideas and in striving for breakthroughs. By engaging in classroom learning, collaborative exchanges and industry practice, students can discover their interests and define their career paths — pursuing their dreams in the fertile environment of the Hainan FTP, he added.