Malta’s Institute for Tourism Studies to offer dual degrees with Swiss institution

The Institute for Tourism Studies (ITS) has signed an agreement with Switzerland’s Bella Vista Institute of Higher Education Switzerland (BVIS), whereby the Swiss institution will offer training programmes in conjunction with ITS, allowing students to obtain a dual degree.

BVIS Switzerland is an international centre associated with the academy of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on behalf of Switzerland.

The two courses offered under the agreement are Bachelor's and Master's courses in International Hospitality Management, and BVIS is already accepting applications for the 2023 intake.

The respective two institutions are in advanced discussions to have more similar educational programmes in the coming years.

These details were announced during the signing of this agreement by Minister for Tourism Clayton Bartolo, in the presence of ITS CEO Pierre Fenech and BVIS president Istvan Ujhelyi.

Minister Bartolo stressed that this agreement in itself is a testament to the interest in the high level of study programmes that ITS is offering, not only locally but also on an international scale.

"This agreement goes hand in hand with the government's strategy of making ITS a centre of excellence in the Mediterranean for hospitality and tourism studies. The internalisation of this institute will not only include the ambition for international students to come to Malta to study locally, but also that education offered in our country runs on an international platform," remarked Minister Bartolo.

Meanwhile, ITS CEO Pierre Fenech and BVIS President Istvan Ujhelji reiterated their commitment to bring these educational institutions closer together to strengthen cooperation in tourism education between Malta and Switzerland.