75 years ago, Luxembourg took a pivotal step in shaping its tourism and hospitality industry by opening its first hotel school.
Luxembourg inaugurated its first hotel school on 6 March 1950, an initiative that had been under consideration since the inter-war period. However, it was not until the rise of tourism that the decision to establish the institution was finalised.
Initially named the Alexis Heck Technical Hotel School, the institution honoured Alexis Heck, a pioneering figure in Luxembourg's tourism sector. In 2018, the school adopted its current name, the Luxembourg Hotel and Tourism School (EHTL).
Today, approximately 400 students are enrolled at the EHTL, where they receive training in a wide range of disciplines, including gastronomy, management, catering, and communications.
The school has embraced digital transformation to stay at the forefront of innovation. "Our student body is incredibly diverse, with nearly 40 nationalities represented," said Alain Hostert, management assistant. "Some students come from Thailand, others from Arab countries, and with them, various food cultures. We strive to adapt to these differences while maintaining the fundamentals of gastronomy–because a basic foundation remains essential," according to Hostert.
Reflecting on the institution's enduring legacy, one staff member remarked, "The flame of the School is still shining after 75 years."
Beyond its local impact, the EHTL is also making strides internationally. The school is actively involved in establishing a hotel school in Cape Verde, aiming to bolster tourism in the region.
