Paris, March 8th 2008 - For the ninth consecutive year, the ESSEC MBA in Hospitality Management (IMHI) has been ranked first among Hotel and Tourism Postgraduate degrees in France by leading educational consulting group SMBG.  This independent classification is a key decision making tool for French students wishing to find appropriate programs to further their education.  Three criteria are used to determine placement in the ranking:  recognition of the programme, salary on graduation, and satisfaction of the graduates.

"We are very happy with this result, which reconfirms our perception of the quality of our program.  Over the past few years we have worked hard on enhancing not only the formal class room learning components but also innovative features such as individualized student mentoring; closer and more frequent contact with industry executives; and more in-depth career counselling and job search support" says Peter O'Connor, Academic Director.

The ESSEC MBA in Hospitality Management (IMHI), which was the only program to receive four stars in the ranking, was originally created in 1981.  Delivered in English in France, the program is noted for its international nature (with over 50% of the students coming from outside France, representing 26 different countries), the quality of its teaching, its practical and applied business focus and the strength of its alumni network.  The program is also relatively unique within the European setting as it allows participants to stream their learning to better match with their career goals.  By using a system of required and elective courses, participants can choose between five career concentrations: Luxury Services Management, e-Commerce and Distribution, Real Estate and Development, Entrepreneurship or the General Management track.

The ESSEC MBA in Hospitality Management (IMHI) is delivered in one year for experienced candidates wishing to add a new dimension to their career or in two years for younger students needing additional work experience. ESSEC Business School is one of the top institutes of higher education in France and appears in numerous national and international classifications.