The Luxembourg School of Hospitality and Tourism (EHTL) in Diekirch is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. A prestigious academic session was organised at the CAPE in Ettelbruck, in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses the Hereditary Grand Duke and the Hereditary Grand Duchess, along with many other distinguished personalities.
Source: Communiqué de presse
7 students in 1950 to international recognition today
On March 6, 1950, the official inauguration of the Hotel School in Diekirch took place, in a city considered the “cradle of Luxembourg tourism,” in reference to Alexis Heck, the head of the “Grand Hôtel des Ardennes” and a pioneer in hospitality and tourism in Luxembourg.
On that day, the first students, seven in total, were encouraged to “hold on,” or else the new school would be doomed to failure. 75 years later, it was a time for celebration: a grand academic session held at CAPE Ettelbruck provided an opportunity to reflect on the turbulent journey of a school that was initially considered a “ugly duckling,” but whose influence today far exceeds the borders of Luxembourg.
“We don’t need a hotel school,” was a statement that Ernest Breuskin, historian and honorary professor at the LCD, encountered during his meticulous research for the creation of the rich book published on the occasion of this exceptional anniversary, titled “The Luxembourg School of Hospitality and Tourism: 75 Years of Training in Hospitality, Gastronomy, and Tourism in Luxembourg.”
In his retrospective, the historian revisited the significant moments of the school’s winding history and took the opportunity to “pay tribute to the pioneers who, believing in this ugly duckling, managed to keep alive and make prosperous a school created ‘ex nihilo,’ so that it could achieve the renown it enjoys today.”
Anniversary with the Hereditary Grand Duke
Michel Lanners, director of EHTL since 2017, was pleased to welcome Their Royal Highnesses the Hereditary Grand Duke and the Hereditary Grand Duchess, as well as many ministers, members of parliament, mayors, directors of establishments, public and private partners, representatives of professional chambers, and the Alumni Association of Hotelschoul, to celebrate this exceptional moment and honor decades of commitment, innovation, and the transmission of knowledge, skills, and values.
What is also certain is that the hospitality sector has a bright future ahead, with opportunities to seize all around the world. This was demonstrated by the distinguished guests Andy Cuthbert, president of WORLDCHEFS, and Sunjeh Raja, CEO of ICCA (International Centre for Culinary Arts) Dubai & Abu Dhabi: they shared their expertise on the evolution of gastronomy in the United Arab Emirates and explained how artificial intelligence will help connect industry players and give them greater visibility. After paying tribute to the heritage of the past, attention shifted to the upcoming challenges and ambitious projects driving EHTL’s vision for 2025.
Thus, during his speech, Claude Meisch, Minister of National Education, announced the opening of a new Southern Campus in September 2025, aimed at welcoming young people from the central and southern parts of the country who wish to train in hospitality professions. But there’s no need to worry: the historic school will continue to exist, as “Diekirch without EHTL would be like Echternach without its dancing procession.”
Finally, a memorable moment of the academic session was the arrival of the anniversary cake on stage, in the presence of Michel Lanners, Claude Meisch, and the royal highnesses. The impressive Baumkuchen, with its multiple rings, beautifully symbolizes the long history of a school that has much more growth and development ahead.
Happy anniversary and long life to EHTL!
