SAIT’s School of Hospitality and Tourism
serves up impressive world ranking for 2023

MEDIA RELEASE

Calgary, AB (March 21, 2023) —  The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) School of Hospitality and Tourism has reason to celebrate following the release of CEOWORLD Magazine’s 2023 Best Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools in the World. Moving up three spots from last year, the School of Hospitality and Tourism ranks #15 in the world and once again is the only school in Canada to earn a spot on the list.

SAIT’s hospitality and tourism school is renowned for its living classrooms, industry-renowned instructors and top-tier partnerships with exclusive hospitality brands — including practicum partners at leading hotels in and around Calgary, such as Azuridge Estate Hotel, Fairmont Palliser, Hotel Arts, Hilton Garden Inn and Suites Downtown, Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel and Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire.

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"We continue to be humbled by our inclusion in CEOWORLD Magazine’s annual ranking of the world's leading hospitality and hotel management schools. This recognition is fundamentally driven by the quality of our graduates and the impact they have on industry, which is in turn a testament to the quality of our faculty,” says James Overall, Dean, School of Hospitality and Tourism, SAIT. “Our journey towards excellence is never-ending and I am so proud of this team, our students and alumni for the amazing work which got us here, and the incredible things to come!"

The timing of this acknowledgment highlights the bright future in store for the hospitality and tourism school, which Overall notes has recently welcomed six new faculty members and plans to expand further in May. “We’re grateful for our group of teachers and staff who, albeit each with their own unique and distinctive personal journey, play integral roles and share a common purpose, drive and passion, rooted in student success.”

First established in the 1940s, the SAIT School of Hospitality and Tourism offers relevant and in-demand programs to inspire and create the future leaders of the hospitality industry. With an immersive learning approach, students gain the skills and knowledge needed to meet employer demand in today’s dynamic marketplace.

Notable alumni from the SAIT School of Hospitality and Tourism include:

  • Mark Wilson (HMGC ‘84) | Vice President and General Manager, Hotel Arts Group
  • Connie DeSousa (PCK ‘00) | Chef and Owner, Charbar
  • Karen Kong (HMGT ‘10/BPA ’12) | Founder, Owner and Baker, Butter Block & Co
  • Vanessa Gagnon (TVT ‘10) | Director, Community, Platform Calgary
  • Lisa Neid (HTM ‘19/BHTM ‘21) | Guest Service Expert, Delta Hotels by Marriott

The CEOWORLD magazine ranking results are based on an extensive amount of data collected through interviews and surveys of 185,000 graduates, industry professionals, employers and recruiters. Rankings are based on metrics which include perceived global brand influence, recruiter and employer feedback, job placement rate, admission eligibility and academic reputation.


About SAIT

Established in 1916, SAIT was the first of its kind, publicly funded technical school in North America. As a global leader in applied education and research — serving nearly 40,000 students annually — SAIT offers certificate, diploma, post diploma, apprenticeship and applied degree programs, baccalaureate degrees, corporate training and more than 1,000 continuing education courses, along with four dedicated, award-winning areas of research and capacity for new and emerging research. Curriculum and research priorities are developed through industry partnerships to ensure graduates have the skills and knowledge required to fulfill the demand for talent. SAIT is honoured to be recognized by Mediacorp Canada Inc. as one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2024, and to be ranked sixth by Research Infosource Inc. in the Top 50 Research Colleges in Canada for 2023. CEOWORLD Magazine ranked the SAIT School of Business #49 on the list of Best Business Schools in the World for 2024, and the School of Hospitality and Tourism placed #14 on their list of Best Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools in the World for 2024.  

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Media inquiries

Kate Laverdure, Communications

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SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.

We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.