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| Institute for Tourism Studies (Malta) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Institute for Tourism Studies |
| Established | 1987 |
| Type | Public |
| City | St. Julian's |
| Country | Malta |
| Campus | Ta' Qali campus; Ħal Lija campus |
Institute for Tourism Studies (Malta) is a public higher education institution located in St. Julian's and Ta' Qali that specialises in hospitality and tourism training. Founded in 1987, it operates alongside Maltese entities such as Malta Tourism Authority, Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure and collaborates with European institutions including European Commission programmes and European University Institute. The institute prepares students for careers in sectors that involve interaction with organisations like Air Malta, Hilton Worldwide, AccorHotels, InterContinental Hotels Group and multinational events such as the Malta International Airshow.
The institute was established in 1987 under Maltese educational reforms influenced by policies from the Council of Europe, European Union accession preparatory programmes and initiatives tied to the Commonwealth of Nations. Early development saw partnerships with World Tourism Organization and training models similar to institutions like Copenhagen Business School and École hôtelière de Lausanne. Expansion phases in the 1990s and 2000s involved infrastructure projects linked to Ta' Qali redevelopment, collaborations with University of Malta and curriculum alignment with Bologna Process standards. Recent decades included memoranda with University of Surrey, joint activities with Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and contributions to national strategies alongside Malta Tourism Authority and Transport Malta.
Campuses are situated in Ħal Lija and Ta' Qali offering specialised facilities comparable to those at Cesar Ritz Colleges and Glion Institute of Higher Education. Venues include training restaurants, professional kitchens, hospitality laboratories, Front Office mock-ups and events spaces used for conventions similar to Malta Convention Centre gatherings. Libraries house collections reflecting tourism literature referencing publishers like Routledge and Elsevier, while simulation suites use software akin to systems from Opera (reservation system) vendors and partnerships with providers such as Microsoft and Oracle Corporation. Practical training integrates industry-standard equipment from brands found in hospitality settings such as Bosch and Miele and connects trainees to internships at properties like Grand Hotel Excelsior and Hilton Malta.
Programs range from certificate courses to bachelor's degrees and post-graduate diplomas offering pathways similar to programmes at University of Malta and aligning with European Qualifications Framework levels. Curricula include modules in hospitality management, culinary arts, events management, tourism marketing and heritage tourism with benchmarking against curricula from Oxford Brookes University, University of Central Florida and Les Roches. Joint awards and validation arrangements have been developed with institutions such as Regent's University London and ties to professional bodies like the Institute of Hospitality and Worldchefs. Continuous professional development courses serve staff from entities like Airbnb hosts and restaurant operators such as Café del Mar-style venues.
Research activities focus on sustainable tourism, cultural heritage management and destination marketing, with projects engaging agencies such as UNESCO, European Commission research frameworks and NGOs like World Wildlife Fund. Collaborations exist with sector partners including Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, Malta Gaming Authority for events tourism, and tech firms offering analytics similar to Amadeus IT Group and Sabre Corporation. The institute participates in Erasmus+ consortia with universities such as Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and University of Dubrovnik and contributes to policy dialogues with VisitBritain-style organisations and regional bodies like Mediterranean Tourism Foundation initiatives.
Student cohorts engage in societies and clubs reflecting professional interests: culinary societies linked to Worldchefs, events clubs that emulate International Congress and Convention Association models, and hospitality ambassadorships working with Malta Tourism Authority promotions. Cultural and sports activities interface with local entities like St. Julian's F.C. and arts groups such as Teatru Manoel. Student exchanges and internships have placed students at international venues including Ritz Paris, Hilton London, AccorHotels Paris properties and maritime hospitality onboard vessels comparable to those operated by MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises.
The institute's awards align with national accreditation frameworks overseen by Malta Further and Higher Education Authority and conform to European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education expectations under the Bologna Process. Benchmarking exercises compare programmes with rankings and quality indicators used by organisations such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education regional assessments, while professional recognition involves bodies like the Institute of Hospitality and European Association for International Education.
Alumni have progressed to leadership roles within organisations such as Air Malta, Malta Tourism Authority, Hilton Worldwide and hospitality groups like Meliá Hotels International and Kerzner International. Faculty have included visiting academics and industry professionals affiliated with universities like University of Surrey, Glion Institute of Higher Education and consultants linked to World Tourism Organization and European Commission projects. Several graduates have received awards at events like the World Travel Awards and participated in competitions resembling Culinary Olympics.
Category:Universities and colleges in Malta Category:Hospitality schools