Les Roches Drives Global Golf Management Education from Spain
Marbella, 20th June 2024. Les Roches, one of the world’s top institutions for high-end hotel management education, launches a new course with a specialization in its Spanish campus: the Postgraduate Diploma in Golf Management. Founded in Switzerland in 1954, Les Roches has had a campus in Marbella since 1995, a city renowned as a golf mecca. This campus hosts thousands of students from over 100 nationalities annually, seeking comprehensive education to develop skills needed to lead the hospitality industry. It is now a preferred destination for Les Roches students aiming to pursue a career in the golf business.
The golf industry is gaining strength within tourism globally. Spain is ranked among the top destinations worldwide for golf travelers, attracting around 1.2 million tourists annually, contributing over 12 billion euros. In Spain, on the Costa del Sol, which hosts the highest concentration of golf courses (70) in the country, golf tourism generates around 1.5 billion euros in annual revenue and creates over 17,000 jobs, according to the Costa del Sol Tourism Board.
Marbella: A Prime Location
Through Les Roches’ newly launched program, starting in September, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the diverse golf industry in a key location. The study modules will focus on course management, design, and maintenance, as well as organizing and marketing golf tournaments. Throughout the course, students will have around 75 hours of practical classes and the opportunity to take a study field trip to Miami, another major hub for the sport that attracts more enthusiasts each year.
“The golf industry is a significant driver for the province of Málaga, both for its appeal and its economic impact and job creation. Last year, it hosted one of the world’s most important and prestigious tournaments, the Solheim Cup, bringing a return of 29.1 million euros to the city. This is just an example of what’s to come in this industry: the need for professionals to preserve and develop Marbella’s golf offerings. The direction and management of this sport involves analyzing and studying everything surrounding it,” says Carlos Díez de La Lastra, CEO of Les Roches.