PRESIDENT's FOREWORD
Mr. Sören Kühlwein Kristiansen

Welcome to the website of EUHOFA INTERNATIONAL.

EUHOFA INTERNATIONAL is an association of hotelschools, represented by presidents, vice precidents and deans from the best hospitality schools, colleges and universities in the world. Our association is most of all an association of networking with a common purpose; to enhance the quality of training of the tourism industy throughout the world.

All the experts are unanimous in their forecast that the tourist industry will undergo an unprecedented development over the next few years and it will become a major industry in many countries. Nevertheless, this development will be influenced by economic fluctuations which continue to affect a number of sectors - not only hotels and restaurants, but also airlines and the whole of the leisure industry. In this contact, training for careers in the hospitality industry is becoming more and more important. More than ever we need adequately trained, motivated employees at all levels, ready to meet the many challenges presented by a constantly evolving environment. In response to this challenge, hotel schools must constantly adapt their training programmes and maintain close links with industry. New hotel schools are opening throughout the world and are thus increasing the capacity and the variety of training programmes for the various careers this industry offers.

In this era of globalization of the tourist industry, it is essential to encourage contact between numerous schools, in order to be able to compare training systems, exchange experiences, ideas and information and debate themes of mutual interest.

EUHOFA INTERNATIONAL was founded for this very reason. Our association promotes the exchange of ideas and contacts amongst its members and thus contributes to the development of professional training in the hospitality industry.

For thousands of students and apprentices, the label "Member of EUHOFA INTERNATIONAL" is their guarantee that the school they have chosen is indeed guided by that spirit of open-mindedness so essential if one is to provide a modern training programme tailored to meet the needs of the profession.

I will strongly recommend those hospitality school directors who want to be a part of the best schools of the world to become member of EUHOFA INTERNATIONAL. Once you are member of this association, you have been given a unique world wide network of hospitality schools.

I wish present and new members very welcome to our website.

What is EUHOFA INTERNATIONAL?

Founding of the Association
In 1955 a group of directors in Germany, Austria and Switzerland felt the need to get together in order to exchange ideas and experiences gained in the field of professional training for careers in the hotel and catering industry.

Expansion on a worldwide basis
In 1974 EUHOFA became a consultative member of the Council of Europe. It adopted new statutes sanctioning its expansion on a worldwide basis and became EUHOFA INTERNATIONAL.

Organization
EUHOFA INTERNATIONAL is a non-profit association. It is governed by statutes and administered by a committee.

Aim
The association contibutes to the constant improvement and progress of hospitality training and promotes the achievements of its members. It undertakes appropriate action in order to promote and improve professional education. It is in regular contact with organizations connected with the hospitality industry.

Members
More than 140 hotel schools, colleges and universities including the best known, are represented by their directors who are full members. There are about 55 associate members, who are involved with training in the tourism sector. If one also takes into consideration the non-voting and honorary members, no less than 45 countries from all 5 continents are represented within the association.