About us
Mission Statement
We educate and train motivated and open-minded students for a successful career in the international tourism and hospitality industry. It is our aspiration that our graduates can take over leading management positions in the finest tourism resorts worldwide and/or that they can successfully establish their own companies and run them successfully.
In order to reach these goals, we focus on high expertise of our lecturer team, high potential students, a close interaction and relationship to leading operations and on the support of our alumni with their expertise and network.
Furthermore, we deliver a learning atmosphere which is defined by common respect, team spirit and joy in studying at ITM.
Team
Our experienced administrative team will ensure a professional organisation of the academic programme as well as an individual study & student service. From the first contact with us, you will be guided through the admission & visa process and all other relevant issues! During the study year we will be there to assist you with any matters.
Mag. Hans Lichtenwagner
(Director of Studies)
Christof Lichtenwagner, MSc. (Faculty)
Manuela Wallner, MA
(Faculty, Art & Culture Tourism)
Viktoria Hempel (Faculty)
Lecturers
The ITM lecturer team is a perfect mix of experienced professionals directly from the industry and lecturers from international universities, thus combining a profound knowhow of the tourism sector as well as state of the art and up-to-date academic knowledge.
Special Competencies: Master of Philology in Romance languages and literature, University of Vienna Certificate course for language course instructors, VÖV Wien und Salzburg Teaching experience: spanish trainer in the Community College (VHS), Baden
Personal Statement: “Every new language is like an open window that shows a new view of the world and expands your attitude towards life.” (Frank Harris)
Relevance of subject: Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, it opens up access to many countries. Therefore I think that it will be a big advantage for the students to master this language in the tourism industry. Furthermore by learning the language, the students also learn a lot about the culture and the people of the hispanic cultural area. Multilingualism widens cultural, social and economic horizons and enables conflict-free, understanding cooperation between people from different cultures and nation.
Mag. Phil. Jennifer Beck-Saiz
(Spanish)
Special Competencies:
BA in Tourism & Hospitality Management, Strathclyde University
ITM College Diploma
TEFL & professional language instructor
CEO of Valhalla Linguistics GmbH
Marc De Schuster, BA.
(Economics, Law & Tourism)
Special Competencies: Train-the-Trainer certificate e-Learning Supervisor diploma in thesis coaching LENA (constructivistic learning) diploma More than 40 years of experience in the Hospitality & Tourism Industry, lecturer for marketing since 1990. Own marketing consultancy ”hotmama“ (hospitality & tourism marketing management) founded in 1992.
Personal Statement: Working with people is one of my passions and this is why I have chosen to work in the hospitality industry. Lecturing at ITM is special and exciting due to international audience, allowing me to learn from various cultures and backgrounds
Relevance of subject: The marketing course within the ITM-Programme serves a core purpose namely to propose customer orientation and learn/gain social techniques to effectively and efficiently market goods.
https://www.hotmama.at/en/
Harald Hafner
(Marketing)
Special Competencies:
Over 20 years international experience in different areas of the hospitality and tourism industries, contributing for successful operations and forming high performing teams.
Bachelor in Hospitality Management, Laureate International Universities, Brazil
Certificate in International Hotel and Restaurant Management, École Vatel, International Hotel Business School – France
United States Sommelier Association – Certificate of Sommelier
Personal Statement:
Creating unforgettable moments and exceeding expectations is pure motivation. Working in a team, open minded, with attention to details and passion for Hospitality, pure joy and fulfilment!
Relevance of subject:
Take the students through a journey in the world of gastronomy, service and Food & Beverage.
Form top performing professionals, with solid Food & Beverage knowledge, the right skills and mindset.
Gustavo Vasconcelos, BA
(Hotel & Tourism Management, Food & Beverage Management, Wine Course)
Special Competencies: Master of Art in History and English Graduate of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna Professor h.c. at the IMC Krems. Over 30 Years of experience in the event business (Austrian National Tourist Office, Casinos Austria) Member of the board of emba-Event Marketing Board Austria, Father of the Austrian Event Hall of Fame, Member of the jury for the Austrian Event Award
Personal Statement: „Be the change that you wish to see in world” Mahatma Ghandi
Relevance of subject: Understanding the manifold world of Event Management is a necessity for a career in tourism today. The employment of events is omnipresent in modern marketing. Events, also called live marketing, are up to date communication tools to understand and influence defined target markets. Events kindle emotions and trigger all senses. An ideal tool to make customers to fans!
Mag. Oliver Kitz
(Hotel & Event Management)
Special Competencies:
Degree in translation studies for German, Italian and French and Master in German as foreign language at the University of Vienna. Experience in the field of Translation Project Management, Human Resources and Office Management and as teacher for German as foreign language in several different institutions such as schools for integration courses, for companies, universities and language schools.
Personal Statement:
To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world. (Chinese proverb)
Relevance of subject:
As German is the official language in Austria, our College programme has a strong focus on this language, which is spoken by more than 90 million people in central Europe – Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The aim of my German course is to develop a better understanding of the German language and Austrian Culture in general, as well as to improve linguistic skills specially referred to tourism and hospitality industry
Mag. Sibylle Pitschl, MA
(German)
Special competencies: Study specialised in international accounting and controlling and several years of working in various controller positions as well as teaching a variety of business, financial and managerial accounting courses at the university of applied sciences in Wiener Neustadt.
Personal statement: As often as I hear someone complaining about accounting being boring and hard to grasp, as often do I want to prove them wrong.
Relevance of subject: Understanding the “language” of accounting & controlling is understanding business. Using both financial and managerial accounting tools for strategic and operating decision making is essential to monitor, control and steer a modern enterprise profitably and efficiently.
Mag. Katja Stenbacka
(Accounting & Controlling)
Special Competencies:
Personal Statement:
Relevance of subject:
Dr. Alexander Bauer
(Business Administration & Economics)
Special Competencies: Master of Science in Geography specializing in Human Dimension of Wildlife Management at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador (MUN), Canada. Teaching experience: Teaching Assistance in the Faculty of Geography (MUN), and a Supply teaching at Failsworth Co-op Academy, Manchester, UK.
Personal Statement:
: “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” (Forrest Gump).
Relevance of subject: Living in a digital world knowing at least the basics of IT is fundamental. Having Applied IT in your toolbelt can bring you on a journey that you have not expected.
Jacqueline Riener, MA
(Applied IT)
Special Competencies: Master of Arts in History and Slavic Studies, Universität Wien Master of Business Administration, Webster University Ph.D., Education and Human Resource Studies, Organizational Performance & Change, Colorado State Univ Professional Certified Coach, PCC, International Coaching Federation & Fielding Graduate University Senior Certified Professional, SHRM-SCP, Society of Human Resource Management Immunity to Change Facilitator, Dare to Lead Facilitator
Personal Statement: “Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging.” Joseph Campbell “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” Albert Einstein
Relevance of subject: Developing organizations that engage their employees, that foster innovation and creativity, and that are dedicated to developing leadership is what OD [Organization Development] and HRD [Human Resource Development] strive to achieve.
Dr. Judy Smetana, MBA.
(Human Resource Management)
Special Competencies:
Long time author of numerous reference books and textbooks for the hospitality industry both in German and English
Educational assignments at home and abroad
Certified trainer and coach with focus on service excellence
Personal Statement:
Restaurant Service is my passion. To be of service means to provide undivided attention to each guest. My ambition is to assist students in developing the right attitude as well as the required professional skills.
Relevance of subject:
Great hospitality makes the difference. Creating a truly memorable dining experience sets us apart from others. The world of beverages is a varied one. Understanding and appreciating wines in particular among other beverages is a great asset in the field of Tourism and Hospitality. It can prove to be valuable both in business and private life.
Hans Stickler
(Wine Sommelier)
Special Competencies:
Personal Statement:
Relevance of subject: As German is the official language in Austria, our College programme has a strong focus on this language, which is spoken by more than 90 million people in central Europe – Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The aim of my German course is to develop a better understanding of the German language and Austrian Culture in general, as well as to improve linguistic skills specially referred to tourism and hospitality industry
Dr. MMag. Miriam Houska
(German)
Special Competencies:
World’s Best Hotel (Conde Nast Traveller) *Hotel IMPERIAL, Vienna, under my management
Hotelier of the Year Austria (Gault & Millau), Diploma in Austrian Hotelier
Chartered Management Consultant, PG Studies Cornell University, Ithaca
More than 45 years of unique experience and competence in International Hotel & Tourism Management (25 years) and Consulting (20 years) – strategic and operational.
Years long member of the Austrian national Hotel Classification/Grading Committee, numerous reviews of national and international hotels and tourism operations.
Developer of Europe’s first Hotel Quality Assurance Workshop Play: “Diamondfever”.
Personal Statement:
My credo says it all: “It all happens at the sharp end of the business – the moment of truth..!”
Relevance of subject:
QUALITY (Be it Soft – or Hardware, for Strategy as well as Operation) is a critical success factor for the entire Hotel & Tourism Industry
This lecture is unique in Europe and taught there only at the ITM COLLEGE.
https://www.voegl.at/
Andreas Vögl
(Quality First Management)
Special Competencies:
Language studies at the University of Vienna (French, Geography and Economics)
German for Foreigners: Specialization in Language Training & Basic Education for adults
Licence in testing the exams of OSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom) and ÖIF (Österreichischer Integrationsfonds).
Personal Statement:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” (Nelson Mandela)
Relevance of subject:
As German
is the official language in Austria, our College programme has a strong focus
on this language, which is spoken by more than 90 million people in central
Europe – Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The aim of my German
course is to develop a better understanding of the German language and Austrian
Culture in general, as well as to improve linguistic skills specially referred
to tourism and hospitality industry.
Christina Grasl (German)
Special Competencies:
Management and leadership experience on both a national and international level from the start up stage to the refinement of multinational organisations.
Intercontinental teaching experience at university level.
Personal Statement:
My role is to help the student of today become the effect manager and inspirational leader of tomorrow.
Relevance of subject:
BA and Economics gives the student both the theoretical and practical tools to understand how an economy functions, and how to succeed as a manager and leader in a business organisation.
Kevin Carroll, BA
(Business Administration & Economics)
Special Competencies:
Master of food economics (FHWN), diploma in nutrition education, many years of activity in the food industry, relevant experience in nutrition coaching.
Personal Statement:
Nutrition is the basis for our entire being! The knowledge about this is a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle.
Relevance of subject:
Nutrition and Kitchen Organisation
Mag. Kerstin Birawe
(Nutrition)
Our administrative team is pleased to assist you anytime!
Campus
The College Garden Hotel as an operating seminar & event hotel with 67 business rooms and 10 conference rooms, busy 365 days a year, provides the perfect infrastructure as a campus for our students. Not only that they can combine living and studying in the same building, our campus ensures a realistic work environment to get an insight into the tourism field.
Our 26m² bright and light-filled rooms, each with their own balcony and bathroom, guarantee a comfortable and pleasant long time stay. Offering various board packages in our restaurant students can enjoy their stay even more.
Moreover, the hotel is surrounded by nature within a safe and quiet region not losing the benefit of having a perfect public transport connection.
Quality Management
The quality aspect in the educational sector has always been essential. At the ITM College we consider it as the basis for our study programme, enabling our students to gain the proper experience required for their future career.
Introducing the exclusively created and taught “Quality First Management” lecture by Mr. Andreas Vögl (www.voegl.at/en), the ITM College sets a focus on implementing Quality into the study programme itself.
“Excellence through quality assurance”
ITM is committed to quality assurance in order to combine excellence with relevance. A continuous evaluation of the educational programme and the quality of the courses is carried out. Accredited and approved by the Austrian ministry of education the ITM College equates a privately run Austrian college with public status. (BMBWF 24.251/0001 II/4/2019)
Furthermore, internal feedback is gathered frequently from our students and lecturers to ensure a successful & memorable study time at ITM!
Partners and Cooperations
International project partner
| Successful projects in the past | |
| Oman Tourism College (OTC) |
ITM as future project partner
Besides running the educational Diploma and Degree-programmes at the Austrian Campus, ITM offers its expertise to foreign Cooperation Partners as well. Therefore, ITM provides the Know-How to establish professional tourism programs worldwide.
ITM has developed a License Concept for Setting Up and running a Tourism College like the ITM College in Austria but adopted to the special needs of the specific locations and countries. By fulfilling quality assurance ITM college has the legal right to issue the Austrian State Diploma at a partner campus abroad
Our mission is to build up a worldwide network of Partner Colleges in order to reinforce professional tourism education and to raise the exchange of ideas and concepts of international students and faculty members and to raise the career possibilities of all students involved.
Teaching opportunities
We welcome professionals from the industry as well as academic experts who would like to be part of our faculty or offer us expertise as a guest lecturer. Expect a professional, international and flexible environment!
Send us your CV with a cover letter to: office@itm-college.eu.