Bangkok’s AIHM Expands, Where Swiss Hospitality Excellence Meets Thai Industry Powerhouse

Bangkok Hotel Schools: A new chapter is unfolding at the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management (AIHM), as this prestigious hospitality school celebrates a major expansion and new opportunities for students. AIHM, in academic association with Switzerland’s renowned Les Roches, is quickly becoming a focal point for world-class hospitality education in Asia.

Global Academic Prestige in Bangkok

AIHM was founded by Minor Hotels (the Thailand-based hotel group) in academic partnership with Les Roches, a globally top-ranked hospitality institute. This means students in Bangkok receive a Swiss-style education with the rigor and excellence that Les Roches is famous for. Les Roches consistently ranks among the world’s best hospitality schools – in fact, it was recently rated #2 worldwide for Hospitality & Leisure Management in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

Being associated with such a prestigious school gives AIHM an academic pedigree that’s rare in the region.

What does this mean for students? They study a curriculum approved and audited by Les Roches, ensuring the same high standards as the Swiss campus. Students follow a Swiss model of hospitality education and even have the chance to spend part of their studies abroad. Uniquely, AIHM students can transfer to Les Roches campuses in Switzerland or Spain for their final year and graduate with a Les Roches bachelor’s degree. It’s literally the best of both worlds – starting in vibrant Bangkok and finishing with a degree from Switzerland’s top hospitality school.

The partnership between Les Roches and AIHM gives students a window to global horizons, from the Swiss Alps to the heart of Bangkok. This global pathway offers invaluable international exposure, making AIHM especially attractive to adventurous students who aspire to a truly international career in hospitality.

Strong Industry Connections and Career Opportunities

Academic excellence is just one side of the coin. AIHM also boasts exceptional industry connections that give students real-world advantages from day one. The institute was envisioned by Minor International’s founder, William Heinecke, and launched with the backing of Minor Hotels – one of the world’s fastest-growing hospitality companies. Minor’s portfolio spans over 500 hotels across 52 countries, including luxury brands like Anantara, Avani, Oaks, NH Hotels and more. For AIHM students, this translates into a powerful professional network and opportunities for internships and jobs across the globe. In fact, AIHM offers internships at luxury hotel chains, global businesses, and even entrepreneurial startups as part of its programs. Many students get to intern at Minor’s own hotels or other top resorts, immersing themselves in five-star environments while still studying.

Crucially, being Minor-backed means students often interact with industry leaders. Classes are held right inside the Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel (part of Minor’s portfolio), so students learn in a living, breathing hotel environment.

Imagine studying guest relations one minute and observing actual hotel operations the next – AIHM students do just that. They rub shoulders with hotel executives who drop by for guest lectures and mentorship. This practical immersion helps bridge classroom learning with real hospitality operations, giving students a confidence that textbooks alone can’t provide.

The institute’s industry ties don’t stop at Minor Hotels. Through Les Roches and its parent network (Sommet Education), AIHM is connected to global hospitality giants. Recently, Sommet Education forged a partnership with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group to develop top talent. As an academic partner of Les Roches, AIHM and its students stand to benefit from such worldwide initiatives, gaining exposure to the standards and expectations of leading luxury hotel brands. It’s no surprise that AIHM graduates are highly sought after by employers – they leave with not only a respected degree but also rich work experience and a network of over 35,000 hospitality professionals worldwide. Moreover, AIHM graduates enjoy preferred employment status with Minor Hotels, a fast-track advantage when launching their careers. All these connections mean that whether students aim to work in Thailand or internationally, they have a foot in the door to a rewarding hospitality career. AIHM is in fact already regarded as the top and most prestigious institution among the various Bangkok Hotel Schools.

Campus Expansion: Growing to Serve Future Hoteliers

To keep up with its success, AIHM has been expanding both in facilities and programs. In a recent milestone, the institute doubled the size of its Bangkok campus by adding a new floor at the Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel. “We are thrilled to announce the 3rd floor expansion of our campus at Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel, doubling our space to support a growing community,” AIHM shared in a statement. This expansion provides more state-of-the-art classrooms, hands-on training labs, and collaboration spaces for students. The campus’s location by the Chao Phraya River – amidst Bangkok’s top hotels and restaurants – already offered a breathtaking learning environment. Now with additional space, AIHM can accommodate more students and new learning facilities, all while maintaining its personal, boutique-college feel. (Class sizes at AIHM are kept small, ensuring students get individualized attention – a hallmark of the Les Roches approach)

AIHM’s growth isn’t just physical; it’s academic as well. The institute has introduced new programs to cater to a wider range of learners. For instance, AIHM now offers a Postgraduate Diploma in International Hospitality Management designed for working professionals looking to accelerate their careers. This innovative program lets students study part-time in Bangkok and then transfer to Les Roches for one semester to earn a Master’s degree – combining local convenience with a Swiss graduate qualification. It’s a flexible pathway that has been very well-received, as it allows professionals to upgrade their skills without pausing their careers. Additionally, AIHM continues to refine its flagship Bachelor’s degree (BBA in Global Hospitality Management) to keep it cutting-edge, blending courses in digital marketing, sustainability, and entrepreneurship into the classic hospitality curriculum.

The institute is also forging strategic partnerships to enhance opportunities for its students and the community. AIHM has signed memoranda of understanding with leading international schools in Thailand – for example, a recent MoU with the Canadian International School of Thailand aims to promote hospitality education among younger students. By engaging high school students through workshops and events, AIHM is helping inspire the next generation of hospitality leaders (and perhaps its future enrollees!). These outreach efforts strengthen AIHM’s presence locally and underscore its commitment to elevating hospitality standards in Thailand and beyond.

A Bright Future for Hospitality Education in Thailand

From its Les Roches-endorsed curriculum to its Minor Hotels-powered industry network, AIHM stands out as a hospitality institute that ticks all the boxes. It offers the academic prestige of a top Swiss school, the rich cultural experience of studying in Bangkok, and the practical advantages of learning directly inside luxury hotel premises. For prospective students – whether from Thailand or overseas – AIHM presents an enticing proposition: world-class education in an Asian powerhouse city known for its hospitality. For the general public and industry, AIHM’s expansion and initiatives signal a positive development for Thailand’s role as an educational hub.

With its newly expanded campus, new programs, and strong global alliances, AIHM is well-positioned to keep shaping world-class hospitality leaders right here in Bangkok. In an era when the hospitality and tourism sector is rebounding and evolving, AIHM’s blend of Thai hospitality ethos and Swiss academic excellence couldn’t be more timely. This dynamic institute is not only nurturing talented graduates but also elevating the hospitality industry as a whole – a true win-win for students and the community. As AIHM likes to say, it is opening doors to “a global hospitality career, closer to home” – and now those doors are open wider than ever.

For more details about AIHM, contact 02-365 6355 or email: [email protected]

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