HOME-GROWN HOSPITALITY, INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

Vatel is a globally renowned name in hospitality management education. In 2018, it opened its doors on the island and accepted its first set of students for its Bachelor’s degree. February 2023 witnessed the Bahrain campus proudly showcase its first crop of young hoteliers in a sparkling graduation ceremony. What makes Vatel in Bahrain unique is its attractive blend of Arab hospitality and French finesse. Whether you’re a luxurious sevenstar property or a rustic holiday house in the middle of nowhere, guest relations and servicing lie at the centre of the hotel and tourism industry. The French art of hospitality is recognised throughout the world for its quality, good taste and excellence. Blend that with a warm, big-hearted Arab welcome and you have something so exclusive.

Vatel International Business School Hotel & Tourism Management was founded in 1981 in Paris. The creators of this award-winning institution recognised the changes that were taking place in the hospitality industry. With brands going global, there was a need to change the way hotels were managed and a demand for more people to join the industry. Right from its first school in Paris, the brand has focused on pairing theory with professional experience. In order to achieve this, each campus has a restaurant and/or hotel on campus where students can put what they have learned into practice. Today, Vatel boasts 55 campuses across 33 countries located in Europe, the USA, Asia and Africa, with 42,000 alumni worldwide. For the last 40 years, Vatel schools have been opening doors all over the world. Further, Vatel is placed on the QS World University Rankings. Most recently, the network of Vatel schools was elected as the Best Hospitality Management School under the Worldwide Hospitality Awards.

In Bahrain, Vatel operates under the patronage of the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority, which supports the hospitality sector with infrastructure such as the new exhibition centre and beach projects. Additionally, the Bahrain Economic Development Board brings foreign investment to the Kingdom for the sector. Both these institutions need local talent and that’s where Vatel comes in. Further, they are fully committed to Bahrainisation in hospitality and creating a dynamic resource pool.

Like its other campuses, Vatel in Bahrain works closely with local hotels and events such as Bahrain International Air Show and F1. Students are provided with real-world experience, including timely internships and placements. Graduates gain at least two years of relevant work experience during their studies – international experience is part of the programme. Licensed by the Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Council, Vatel in Bahrain provides a combination of seminars, site visits, workshops, projects and visiting lecturers thus offering well-rounded learning. Further, ‘Vateliens’ graduate with a French State Level II degree, which is recognised throughout Europe. It’s worth mentioning that students learn French as part of the curriculum (on the Bahrain campus) and also have the option of studying at international Vatel campuses for a year.

Most importantly, Vatel’s success is based on five pillars: faculty members focus on forging deep ties with their students, create dynamic learning conditions, convey their expertise and knowledge, introduce the concept of proper conduct in all situations and maintain good relations with professionals working in hotel and tourism management. The direct benefits of this are enjoyed by students - many from the Bahrain campus have landed top-class jobs even before they graduated. This is a testament to over four decades of dedication to preparing younger generations around the world to build a sparkling future in international hospitality and tourism management. ✤