A new tourism university has opened in Hainan province in partnership with Switzerland's top hospitality school, marking a milestone in the island's push to become a global trade and tourism hub.

Hainan Lausanne Tourism University was inaugurated on Tuesday in Sanya. It was established with Switzerland's Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne, a top-ranked hospitality institution. The university is designed to support Hainan's development as a flagship of China's economic openness ahead of island-wide special customs operations set to launch for the free trade port on Dec 18.

Feng Fei, secretary of the Communist Party of China Hainan Provincial Committee, called the opening "a new symbol and a positive start" for broader Sino-Swiss cooperation.

He said he hoped the partnership with EHL and China Communications Construction Company would make a model for Sino-European collaboration and a landmark in building an international tourism consumption center.

Feng said Hainan would provide support in faculty recruitment, student internships, employment and international exchange to create optimal conditions for the school's development.

Markus Venzin, CEO of EHL Group, said the Swiss institution would work to integrate its global academic system and teaching standards with the needs of Hainan's tourism industry. The goal, he said, is to cultivate top-tier talent with global competitiveness in hospitality and tourism, using the new university as a strategic base.

The launch comes as China and Switzerland mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. The university is the first collaborative institution in partnership with a Swiss university in China.

Martin Matter, head of the economic and financial section of the embassy of Switzerland in China, said the project reflects a key Swiss specialty: vocational and professional education.

"Switzerland's economic success is built on the strength of our vocational and professional education and training system, which combines classroom learning with real professional experience," he said.

Built on EHL's academic system, which has ranked first globally in hospitality for seven consecutive years, HLTU offers four degree programs: hospitality management; MICE — meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions — economy and management; tourism management and service education; and culinary and nutrition education. Students will have access to EHL's global network and priority internship opportunities at leading international enterprises, according to EHL Group.

Sylvie Miao, a freshman studying hospitality management and a member of the inaugural class of about 60 students, said she was drawn to the university by its partnership with the Swiss institution.

"I understand how special this opportunity is," Miao said. "HLTU's 'theory plus practice' teaching system and the educational philosophy of 'Swiss standard, Chinese practice, global perspectives' have completely inspired me."

She said the university's all-English teaching model is a key advantage in preparing students for Sanya's growing international tourism market.

Edmund Ko, general manager of the Sanya Marriott Yalong Bay Resort and Spa and chairman of the Marriott Business Council, told students they represent the industry's future.

"I see future general managers, visionary entrepreneurs, master sommeliers, talented chefs and sustainability leaders," he said. "You are the next generation of hospitality pioneers."