FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tourism HR Canada recognizes Montreal’s Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec as leader in preparing students for success in rapidly growing industry.
MONTREAL, QC (April 16, 2026)—The Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ) is proud to announce that its Applied Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Hotel Management has become the first university program in Quebec to receive SMART+ accreditation, awarded by Tourism HR Canada. This national recognition attests to the program’s quality and relevance, as well as its alignment with the standards and needs of the Canadian tourism industry.
“The relevance, timeliness, and rigor of this program help train the highly qualified professionals the Canadian tourism sector needs to continue its growth. Graduates possess the essential skills to support the prosperity of tourism, both today and tomorrow,” says Philip Mondor, President and CEO of Tourism HR Canada.
The evaluation committee particularly highlighted the program’s ability to evolve in step with the industry, focusing on the development of cross-functional skills sought by employers, as well as on close collaboration with industry partners.
“This accreditation confirms the quality of our training and its strong alignment with real-world industry demands. Our students develop practical skills that are directly transferable to a wide variety of professional contexts,” notes Jasmin Tanguay, Senior Academic Director at ITHQ.
Offered in a unique learning environment in the heart of Montreal, the program prepares the next generation to thrive across all areas of hospitality and tourism—from foodservice to lodging to tourist facilities. Upon entering the workforce, ITHQ graduates stand out for their ability to address current and future industry challenges, thereby actively contributing to its development.
For more information about the Hospitality and Hotel Management program, visit the ITHQ website.
About the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec
The ITHQ is Canada’s leading centre for specialized tourism, hotel management and restaurant services and is the only school in the country to offer programs at the vocational, technical and university levels. Equipped with unique facilities, such as an hotel school, two teaching restaurants and a bar, it also has two research units (GastronomiQc Lab and ExperiSens) and a hospitality consulting centre. The ITHQ also offers training to professionals, services to businesses and institutions, and workshops for the general public.
About Tourism HR Canada
Tourism HR Canada is a pan-Canadian organization with a mandate aimed at growing a world-leading tourism workforce. As a Workforce Development Council, it facilitates, coordinates, and enables human resource development activities that support a globally competitive and sustainable industry and foster the development of a skilled, diverse, inclusive, and resilient workforce. Explore its activities at TourismHR.ca.
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Media Contacts:
Ophélie Simoncelli
Communications Manager | Public Relations
Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ)
medias@ithq.qc.ca
Heather Elder
Director, Marketing
Tourism HR Canada
helder@tourismhr.ca