Summer School Managing Tourism Businesses in a Complex World

The interdisciplinary programme is designed for bachelor and master students from all over the world as well as students from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Students from study programmes without previous knowledge of tourism are also welcome. The course combines theoretical knowledge with opportunities to meet and learn from industry experts. Students have the unique opportunity to interact with management members of leading destinations and tourism companies and thereby gain unique insights into the organization, structure and success factors of tourism. The programme features a management simulation, presentations, discussions and interactive seminars on cutting-edge topics.

Participation is possible either online or on-site (with virtual components) in Lucerne. Online participants can earn 3 or 6 ECTS, while onsite students can earn either 4 or 7 ECTS by participating in our industry-relevant afternoon excursions. These on-site excursions offer an excellent opportunity to learn directly from industry experts. The programme is fully taught in English.

Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe

Ready to stand at 3,454 metres above sea level? Experience a different world at Jungfraujoch – where snow and ice are guaranteed 365 days a year. Feel the crunch of snow under your feet, breathe in the icy mountain air, and take in breathtaking views of the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps.

Pilatus

Discover Lucerne's landmark mountain – a place of legends, epic views, and pure adventure. At 2,132 metres, enjoy breathtaking panoramas over Lake Lucerne and the surrounding Alps.

Participants will get the unique opportunity to interact with more than ten managers of tourism companies and leading Swiss destinations such as Jungfrau Region, Lucerne Region and topics specialists in tourism politics, culture and arts and more.  

In this programme, you will: 

• Get a holistic, interdisciplinary view on tourism
• Become familiar with the various aspects of tourism management in both destination and tourism businesses
• Gain knowledge in overtourism, sustainability, stakeholder management, tourism marketing
• Have opportunities to demonstrate intercultural awareness
• Meet students from all over the world in an interactive setting to broaden the network

Depending on your credit requirements, whether you are parcipating on-site or online and your choice to complete the full assignment after the Summer School, either 3, 4, 6 or 7 ECTS will be awarded. For ISA-students of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts only the 3 ECTS option is open.

For all options full-time attendance during the Destination Simulation Game (for other sessions an 80 percent attendance is required) is a prerequisite of the Summer School. Additionally, the following requirements apply: 

• 3 ECTS for virtual participation only: Course preparation, online oral exam, and group work are required.
• 4 ECTS for on-site participation with virtual components: This is not for students of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, except the LSoB International Experience module for BSc IBA. All requirements for the 3 ECTS version apply, plus a reflective summary of one of the on-site excursions.
• 6 ECTS for virtual participation only: This is not for students of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. All requirements for the 3 ECTS version apply, plus a written assignment.
• 7 ECTS for on-site participation with virtual components: This is not for students of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. All requirements for the 4 ECTS version apply, plus a written assignment. 

The grading will be done according to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. The Lucerne School of Business assesses and grades the performance of the participants in accordance with Chapter V "Module Assessment and ECTS credits" of the "Academic Regulations for the Bachelor Programme in International Business Administration at the Lucerne School of Business".

• Contact hours include industry experts’ presentations, short theoretical inputs, moderated discussions requiring students’ participation, case studies, exercises, group work and the Destination Simulation Game.
• Group work, individual tasks, lectures, presentations, and the analysis of the practical application of topics in the compulsory reading material will strengthen your learning experience. Pre-course preparation will be required and is part of the course. 

The tuition fee of CHF 1,800 will be waived for students who have been nominated to the Lucerne School of Business by partner universities, as well as for students of the Lucerne University of Applied Science and Arts.

Please note that on-site participants are responsible for organizing and covering their own accommodation, meals, and travel arrangements. In addition, participation in the on-site excursions may incur transportation costs of up to CHF 200, which must be covered by the participants themselves.

Bachelor’s and master’s students who wish to apply for the programme need to be a competent user of English. Any of the following will be accepted:

• Currently enrolled in a taught-in-English bachlor's or master's degree programme
• Provide a recognized English certificate: IELTS Academic (6.5), TOEFL (79), FCE, CAE 
• Provide a confirmation letter from your university (such as this template) that you have a min. B2 level (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) in English
• Mother tongue is English 

Furthermore, applicants need to have completed a minimum of two semesters at bachelor level (confirmation of enrolment).

If participants wish to transfer the credits they earn during the Summer School to their home institution, they should obtain approval of credit transfer from their home institution prior to submission of their application. 

Students from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences & Arts and from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts - School of Business' partner universities have priority. Places are limited, so please register early.  

Application deadline is May 31, 2026. Please send your signed Application Form together with a Confirmation of Enrolment from your home university (not for students of the Lucerne University of Applied Science and Arts) and proof of your English proficiency to summerschool-business-lucerne@hslu.ch.

Before you apply, please make sure that you fulfil our requirements (see above) and that you agree to our Terms and Conditions.  

Participants need to agree to our Terms and Conditions before they apply.