EURHODIP

Overview

EURHODIP - the European Association of Hotel & Tourism Schools - is an international non‑profit association founded in 1988 and legally incorporated in Belgium with its registered office in Brussels. It represents more than 150 higher‑education institutions specializing in hospitality, tourism, catering and related studies across some 35 countries worldwide. According to uniRank, it stands as one of the most prominent European networks in its field, continually promoting quality assurance, professional mobility and cross‑institutional cooperation.

History and Legal Framework

Established in Brussels in 1988, EURHODIP was incorporated under Belgian law of 27 June 1921 governing non‑profit and international associations. The founding statutes were publicly notarized and the registered office has remained in the Brussels administrative district ever since. While originally initiated by a group of hospitality educators and industry leaders in Europe, the association was designed from the outset to transcend national boundaries and to function as an independent European NGO without direct state control.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

The association’s mission is to enhance the quality, vitality and public standing of European hospitality and tourism education. EURHODIP envisions a unified European approach to teaching—rooted in the heritage of Greco‑Roman and European civilisations as well as contemporary global practice—that equips students with knowledge, cross‑cultural fluency and service ethos.

• Foster international mobility and exchange of best practices among member schools, students and faculty.
• Align curricula with the evolving needs of the hospitality and tourism industries.
• Develop European Qualifications of Professional Skills (EQPS) at EQF levels 5, 6 and 7.
• Promote lifelong learning, inclusion and adaptability across cultural and operational contexts.

Governance, Structure and Independence

Governance is led by a General Assembly composed of institutional representatives that convenes annually. An elected Board of Directors oversees operations, supported by a full‑time Secretary‑General and a small Brussels‑based secretariat. EURHODIP maintains financial independence through membership dues, accreditation fees and conference revenues. Its statutes specify decision‑making according to Belgian non‑profit statutes, ensuring legal transparency, internal checks (auditors) and periodic statutory review. The association operates independently of national higher‑education ministries or supranational bodies.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation

To support excellence in education, EURHODIP created its own quality assurance label—Eurhoqual—based on the European Foundation for Quality Management model. Eurhoqual is awarded by an internal accreditation board comprising senior educators and industry experts and is formally executed by EURHODIP on behalf of members.

• Eurhoqual accreditation applies to hospitality and tourism programmes at EQF levels 5–7 and is valid for up to five years.
• The EURHODIP Qualifications of Professional Skills—European Diploma (EQF 5), Bachelor (EQF 6) and MBA (EQF 7)—are jointly administered by the association and member institutions.
• Candidates must pass standardised online MCQs, personality tests and local oral examinations. Approved results are centrally managed by EURHODIP to ensure consistency.
• The Eurhoqual process integrates internal self‑evaluation, third‑party review and continuous benchmarking across the network.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

EURHODIP maintains active cooperation with major European and global bodies. It is an affiliate member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), granting access to the UNWTO eLibrary and related initiatives. Its member base spans 150+ institutions in about 35 countries across four continents and the association facilitates participation via the HOSCO online platform and joint research projects.

Every year, EURHODIP hosts a flagship international conference—open to school directors, faculty, students and industry professionals. These events typically attract over 200 participants and include student competitions, academic workshops and keynote sessions, fostering networking and knowledge exchange. Based on uniRank research, EURHODIP is widely recognised for its role in integrating hospitality schools into a European academic and professional ecosystem.

Current and Future Impact on Higher Education

EURHODIP influences higher education in hospitality and tourism by:

1. Standardising and elevating programme content across Europe through Eurhoqual and EQPS frameworks.
2. Enabling student and faculty mobility via academic exchanges and international competitions.
3. Bridging the gap between education and industry by involving employers in accreditation and jury panels.
4. Supporting digital transformation and inclusion by adapting curricula to global trends (sustainability, digital tools, cultural awareness).
5. Advocating for recognition of European qualifications in international settings and contributing to policy debates on mobility and cross‑border trust.
6. Expanding its network globally via affiliate members, regional summits and Erasmus‑funded cooperation in future horizons.

Summary

EURHODIP—headquartered in Belgium but international in scope—is a membership‑based association supporting hospitality and tourism education across Europe and beyond. Through its accreditation system (Eurhoqual), qualifications (EQPS), annual conferences, student competitions and industry linkages, it strives to raise educational quality, support mobility and align academic training with global industry needs. Independent yet collaborative, it serves both as a forum for professionals and a vehicle for institutional development.

FAQs

• What does EURHODIP stand for?

  EURHODIP is an acronym for the European Association of Hotel & Tourism Schools.

• How can a school join EURHODIP?

  An institution applies via an online membership form, is reviewed by the Board, accepted as a candidate member and ratified at the next General Assembly to become a full member.

• What is Eurhoqual accreditation?

  Eurhoqual is EURHODIP’s internal quality‑assurance label based on the EFQM excellence model, awarded to member schools for hospitality and tourism programmes and valid for up to five years.

• Can individual students get certified?

  Yes—students and young professionals enrolled in member schools can take EURHODIP Qualifications assessments (Diploma, Bachelor and MBA), involving MCQs, personality tests and oral juries, with successful candidates earning a qualification reflecting EQF level 5–7.

• Is EURHODIP recognised by industry?

  Yes—its accreditation committees include senior hospitality professionals and many member schools and their graduates enjoy recruitment and visibility advantages in the tourism & hospitality sector.

• Where is the association legally based?

  Under Belgian law (law of 27 June 1921), EURHODIP is an independent international non‑profit association with its legal headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

Organization Name

EURHODIP

Acronym

Year of Establishment

1/01/1988

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

International

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Maison des Associations Internationales, 40, rue de Washington
Bruxelles
1050 Brussels Belgium

Phone

+34 (6) 73 83 25 19

Fax

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

EURHODIP's Facebook page

X (Twitter)

EURHODIP's X page

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

EURHODIP's YouTube channel

Instagram

EURHODIP's Instagram page

Wikipedia Article

Not available

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