Sustainability Management School
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Milano, Italy
- Genève, Switzerland
MBA
DURATION
18 months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Sep 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
22 Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
CHF 27,800 **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* If you need a visa, we recommend that you apply at least three months before the start of the program.
** tuition fee | expenses and materials: €600
Key Summary
About: This MBA in Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism Management blends business management, environmental leadership and sustainable AI practices. SUMAS holds accreditation from ACBSP and the Swiss Private School Register and affiliates with UN-backed initiatives. You’ll take core management courses plus five sustainability modules, live simulations and industry projects.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter hospitality and tourism sectors, moving into executive and managerial roles. SUMAS reports a 90% employment rate within 6 months. Typical roles include Sustainability Manager, Hospitality Director, Tourism Leadership Executive, Green Business Manager, Corporate Sustainability Leader, Sustainability consultant. Related paths include sustainability strategy, green operations and responsible tourism management.
One of Many or One of Few?
Choosing a Master's degree can feel overwhelming when many programs look similar. At SUMAS, you become one of the few.
As the world’s first business school dedicated to Sustainability Management, we are pioneers in combining business excellence with environmental leadership—preparing graduates to lead the transition toward a more responsible global economy.
- Pioneers in Sustainability Management, blending business excellence with environmental leadership.
- SUMAS holds formal accreditation from ACBSP and the Swiss Private School Register, and is affiliated with leading UN-backed initiatives — giving our degrees internationally recognised credibility.
- Learn from international experts across our Swiss and Italian campuses.
- Build strong industry connections and join a global alumni network.
Be one of the few—build a career that creates value for both business and society.
Become a Global Leader with an MBA in Sustainable Hospitality & Tourism Management
This MBA program equips leaders with advanced knowledge to drive sustainability in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Students develop responsible leadership skills while gaining awareness of transformational change needed in rapidly evolving industries.
The curriculum combines core management courses with five sustainability-focused modules, integrated with real-world industry projects guided by top executives. Delivered through experienced faculty and guest speakers, the program emphasizes practical application through global business simulations and partnerships with industry leaders.
Students benefit from livestreaming options and a diverse international cohort spanning 70+ nationalities, preparing them for executive roles across the global hospitality and tourism landscape.
Who is the Ideal Candidate for This Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism MBA?
The ideal candidate for the MBA in Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism Management at SUMAS is a forward-thinking professional passionate about the intersection of global travel, environmental stewardship, and business innovation. This program is specifically designed for individuals who want to reshape the hospitality industry into a powerful driver of ecological preservation and social progress—envisioning a future where premium guest experiences and sustainability coexist seamlessly.
Whether you come from a background in hospitality management, travel agencies, hotel operations, or corporate business, this on-campus MBA equips you with the strategic tools and leadership capabilities to drive systemic green transformation.
Who Studies at SUMAS?
Our students are service-oriented yet highly analytical—inspired by guest experiences but firmly grounded in business realities. This program is ell-suited for:
- Career Pivoters & Professionals: Young professionals eager to enter the hospitality business world with a sustainable mindset, or mid-career leaders aiming to transition toward ethical, eco-conscious resort management.
- Eco-Tourism Entrepreneurs: Visionaries building their own sustainable hotels, luxury eco-lodges, green travel agencies, or conservation-led tour companies from the ground up.
- Specialized Hospitality Leaders: Corporate professionals working in hotel operations, food and beverage, guest services, supply chain management, or destination marketing who wish to embed sustainable tourism practices into their core competencies.
Lead with Conscience, Innovation, and Executive Capability
SUMAS students value a rigorous executive business education that seamlessly blends advanced hospitality strategy with cutting-edge sustainability studies. They graduate fully prepared to lead major green initiatives within established international hotel brands, luxury eco-resorts, and innovative travel startups.
Master Scholarships (MBA & MAM)
SUMAS is proud to support the best global talent and promote campus diversity. We offer merit-based scholarships for Master students who demonstrate a genuine commitment to sustainability.
Partial Scholarships are offered to students who embrace the values and spirit of our institution. We offer 5 different scholarships to support your studies at SUMAS:
- Responsible Leader:
"For professionals with sustainability or responsible management experience."
Designed for applicants with prior professional experience in sustainability or responsible management. Demonstrate your leadership values through a rigorous essay. - Women in Sustainability:
"For female leaders driving meaningful change through sustainability."
This scholarship supports female applicants with work or internship experience in sustainability, or those who have led teams in sustainability projects or departments. - Social Impact:
"For changemakers from developing nations or those serving disadvantaged communities."
Supports applicants who come from developing nations planning to leverage their degree for citizen welfare, or who have experience serving disadvantaged populations, social entrepreneurship, or environmental initiatives. - Sustainable Business Practices:
"For professionals experienced in sustainability or responsible investment."
Awarded to applicants with professional experience in sustainability or responsible investment. Selection is also based on academic achievements and the positive contribution candidates can bring to the school. - Future Leaders:
"For individuals who inspire, motivate, and demonstrate leadership potential."
Targets candidates with a proven track record of leadership — through professional achievement, team inspiration, social or charitable roles, entrepreneurial ventures, or international academic experience.
Program Outcomes: Your Value as a SUMAS Sustainable Hospitality MBA Graduate
Graduating with an MBA in Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism Management from SUMAS means entering a competitive global market equipped with advanced executive capabilities and a pioneering approach to green leadership.
This program transforms passionate professionals into highly sought-after, high-earning leaders. You will graduate with a mastered core of international hospitality management, business administration, and applied sustainability studies—giving you the unique ability to implement eco-friendly operations, drive profitable growth, and network with global industry leaders.
Executive Competencies You Will Master
This advanced degree empowers graduates to lead systemic change and drive sustainable development across the tourism, travel, and hospitality ecosystems, mastering five core pillars:
- Lead Sustainable Tourism Initiatives: Apply the principles of responsible management to reinvent traditional hospitality business models and promote inclusive, low-carbon travel experiences.
- Bridge Green Operations with Profitability: Combine eco-friendly hospitality practices with sharp financial and operational strategy to maximize both environmental performance and business profitability.
- Drive Strategic Eco-Innovation: Leverage frameworks from sustainability studies and green marketing to respond dynamically to changing traveler demographics, eco-conscious consumer values, and global green regulations.
- Optimize Hospitality Lifecycles: Integrate precise sustainability metrics into destination management and resort operations—from resource efficiency (water and energy conservation) to zero-waste food and beverage solutions.
Mastery of Specialized Green Metrics & Tools
Global hotel chains, eco-resorts, and tourism boards actively seek executives who can accurately measure and report environmental impact. SUMAS MBA graduates are highly proficient in deploying industry-standard sustainability frameworks:
- The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (specifically applied to global tourism and hospitality sectors)
- Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Criteria for hospitality investment and operations
- Sustainable Supply Chain Certifications (e.g., GSTC - Global Sustainable Tourism Council standards)
- Circular Economy Action Plans for waste reduction and resource management in commercial properties
Capstone: AI FOR GOOD
The CAPSTONE is an immersive, AI-powered business strategy course where you take on the role of CEO. Working on a real-world AI-driven business case, you’ll make responsible decisions across strategy, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship, integrate these areas to achieve your goals, learn from outcomes, and gain the skills and confidence to lead in a sustainable, data-driven business world.
90% Employment rate within 6 months
Green talent is in high demand. SUMAS graduates earn immediate employment across various business sectors, leveraging their knowledge and skills to power companies' sustainability journeys. With a 90% graduate employment rate, SUMAS alumni transition into high-impact roles across various international sectors, securing top managerial and leadership positions in sustainability-driven organizations.
What career paths does this degree open up?
Alumni transition into high-impact roles such as:
- Sustainability Manager
- Hospitality Director
- Tourism Leadership Executive
- Green Business Manager
- Corporate Sustainability Leader
- Executive leadership positions
- Sustainability consultant
Why choose SUMAS?
Our unique approach combines robust business theory with sustainable practices.
Our Aim
Our aim is to educate managers who will take responsible decisions in the complex world they will operate in, by giving them an innovative academic mix of sound business knowledge and a deep understanding of sustainable development.
Our Mission
Driven by academic excellence, our mission is to educate qualified future leaders and equip them with the professional and entrepreneurial skills to drive sustainable transformation in business and society.
Environmental Stewardship
Preserving our planet is at the heart of our operations and teachings.
Global Perspective
Study with students from over 70 countries and tackle impactful, worldwide challenges.
Academic Excellence
ACBSP-accredited curriculum taught by industry experts and leading sustainability researchers.
Circular Economy
Transitioning from linear thinking to regenerative business models.
Sustainable AI Integration
Mastering the intersection of modern AI techniques and ecological impact reduction.
Social Responsibility
We empower our community to act ethically and contribute to the wellbeing of society and the planet.
Program Organization
- Length: 1 year
- Content: 9 core modules and 3 major courses. Final Capstone - AI For Good.
- Starting Dates: February and September.
Sustainability Projects for Real-World Impact.
At SUMAS, you’ll apply project management tools to real-world — locally in Switzerland and Milan, or internationally.
Collaborate with companies, start-ups, and global organizations, learn from sustainability experts, engage with industry leaders, and tackle complex challenges to make a lasting impact on business and society.