One of the striking features of modern times has been the spectacular growth of international tourism. Cyprus's participation in this development has been unprecedented and the growth in tourist arrivals has by far exceeded that of any other Mediterranean destination. The hotel industry has contributed much to this success. International tourist arrivals went up from 350,000 in 1980 to almost 2,5 million in 2006. Hotel capacity during the same period increased from 13,000 beds to 96,500 beds. Thus, tourism has become one of the main pillars of the Cyprus economy, а real engine for the economic growth of the country, contributing around 20% of the country's GOP, and offering employment directly and indirectly to around 24% of the gainfully employed population.
The College filled an important gap in the educational system of the island, where there were no government study programs for high school graduates wishing to assume supervisory positions in the hospitality and travel industries.
The College is now looked upon by the industry as а nursery for dedicated, skilled and highly qualified young people who can adapt very quickly to the business environment and eventually assume positions of responsibility.
The College of Tourism and Hotel Management started in 1987 by offering courses in Travel and Tourism in order to satisfy the pressing needs of an expanding local travel industry. In 1 989 а three-year full Hotel Administration program was introduced. Encouraged by the success of its Hotel Administration program, the College introduced in October 1996 а program leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality Management.
The College of Tourism and Hotel Management introduced in September 2000 а new and exciting four year-program in Business Studies, with specializations in Management Information Systems, International Business Studies and Shipping and Logistics.
The two-year information Technology program and the one year Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration have been introduced in September 2003. The four-year Bachelor of Arts Programs in Events Management, Accounting and Finance, Leisure Management and Tourism Management, as well as the one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Management studies have been introduced in September, 2005.
The latest additions are an MBA program that lasts 18 months and а Masters in Leisure and Tourism Management that lasts 12 months.
The College is а private establishment of higher education, registered with the Cyprus Ministry of Education as а school of Higher (Tertiary) Education. 1t is coeducational and поп residential. The language of instruction is English
