Glion Institute of Higher Education

Glion Institute of Higher Education, one of the world's top three institutions of higher education for an international career in hospitality management, is launching a specialization in Luxury Brand Management. Classes start in July.

Glion's program is unique: It will focus on learning the luxury industry as part of a hospitality management degree. The specialization was developed in close relationship with luxury leaders, encompassing case studies, interviews and workshops, and will be taught during the student's final year as part of the 3.5 year bachelor's degree program.

Glion partnered with Domus Academy in Milan to develop the curricula. Domus is a prestigious design school in Italy and considered a school of global excellence in the areas of fashion, design and architecture. Through this collaboration, students can attend workshops in Milan conducted by Domus and industry partners. Some of Domus' partners include Cartier, Christie's, De Beers, Moncler and Salvatore Ferragamo.

"This is an exciting time for Glion," said Judy Hou, CEO of Glion Institute of Higher Education. "Over the past 10 years, our graduates have earned the trust of companies with high-end brands that seek to deliver unique customer experiences. Glion is no longer only providing top-notch talent for hotels and resorts, but also for fashion, retail, and banking and aviation companies."

The specialization was created due to increased demand for Glion graduates from the luxury sector. The program will equip students with distinctive skills that will give them a head-start for careers in this sector. Courses include designing luxury experiences, management of a luxury brand, and luxury communication and media planning.

The new specialization is aligned with Glion's commitment to preparing students for a successful international career in hospitality management. According to Deloitte's 2014 luxury goods report, the world's top 75 luxury brands accounted for US $172.2 billion of aggregate net sales in 2012, and a compound annual growth rate of 14.3% (2010–2012). This strong performance is partly due to enhanced customer service at high-end retailers and financial institutions.

"Glion teaches students to embrace customer service through hands-on learning, innovation, attention to detail, responsiveness to customer demands and a high level of individual care," said Hou. "It is a distinctive part of their professional DNA."