In our special Hospitality ON issue on hospitality management schools and trainings (No 308-309/May-June 2021) we interviewed Academic Directors of renowned hotel schools around the world. Here we unveil insights from Romain Peyré, Director CMH Academy.
What innovations, programmes and projects have been implemented in your school over the last two years?
CMH as always been a pionner in its ecosystem. We have been able to create a unique hotel management training model designed to meet the professional ambitions of our students as well as the requierements of companies in current and future professions.
This is the reason why we develop our teaching units every year to reflect the evolution of the professions in our sector.
The 2021-2022 academic year will welcome new teachers, lessons, languages, projects, seminars and specializations:
Excellence and elegance, Innovation in hospitality, Hotel developpment and real estate, Luxury universe, Luxury brand management, Trends in the luxury market, Luxury public relations, Retail management, Gastronomy and hospitality, Wine and Champagne management
New languages: Russian, Chinese, Italian, Spanish
New projects towards diplomacy: Capstone project, Custom project, Digital project, Career marketing plan , Branding project
New seminar in: Milano, Italy; Dubaï, United Arab Emirates, Moscow, Russia, Bejing/Shanghai, China
New specializations in: Digital marketing and communication, Human Ressource, Revenue management, Accounting and finances
What approach(es) has your school chosen to train its students? What are the specificities of your schools?
We encourage all our students to practice a professional experience as much as possible in parallel thanks to the training and support of our career center which offers them internship, alternating 2 days of courses and 3 in enterprise by week, work-study and employment offers.
Has the COVID-19 crisis impacted the students interest in the hospitality industry?
Unfortunately yes.
This especially affects 1st and 2nd year students who wish to think twice before embarking on the 5-year training for a career specializing in the hospitality industry.
Conversely, students who wish to integrate into the 3rd, 4th and 5th years are more motivated than ever by their desire to join the hospitality industry, which, despite the crisis, is still more innovative than ever.
What values / skills do you think are necessary for the hospitality industry that should be taught in a hotel school?
The 1st and 2nd years of the CMH Grande Ecole Program lay the foundations for a complete academic courses : soft skills and interpersonal skills are essential. Also the understanding of the hotel ecosystem, services and consumer behavior. The last stages of professionalization of CMH students give them the opportunity to learn more about business skills, strategic plan, development of projects and specialization.
What do you think hoteliers need to do to attract & keep young talent?
They must be leaders and an exemplary model of hotel manager. They must know how to transmit their knowledge to the younger generation. They have to know how to support and deliver the real lessons of a customer service profession.
What features/partnerships are you looking for?
We are looking for a long- term partnership in order to highlight the know-how of our expert teachers shared with our young passionate students.
What message would you give to hoteliers?
We always know how to adapt our job to any situation. Our job is more than essential, it is alive. We will be able to resume a normal rhythm of life and surely even more alluring than before. Be patient dear colleagues.
What message would you give to future generations?
After pandemic crisis, you will find a lot of new career opportunities regarding to the new customer experiences.
Be innovative, be optimistic and above all be yourself.
