Réunion Region and the French State have formally launched construction of the future lycée des métiers du tourisme et de l'hôtellerie in Saint-André, with a total budget of €84 million. The school will welcome 522 students from September 2028, aiming to professionalise a sector that remains a pillar of Réunion's economy.
A Major Investment in Tourism Training
The project draws on €44.8 million from Réunion Region, complemented by €39 million from the French State. The lycée will occupy a 3.57-hectare site in Saint-André, in the island's eastern micro-territory. Regional President Huguette Bello and Secretary of State for Tourism Nathalie Delattre presented the project jointly, signalling the strategic importance attributed to this infrastructure by both levels of government.
Courses from CAP to BTS
The school will offer programmes ranging from CAP to BTS, covering the full hospitality and tourism value chain: reception, catering, establishment management and tourism management. With 522 students at capacity, it will become one of the largest specialised institutions in this sector across France's overseas territories. Construction begins June 2026 for a September 2028 opening.
Addressing a Structural Skills Deficit
Réunion's tourism sector faces a paradox: despite steadily rising visitor numbers, qualified professionals are in short supply at every level. The hotel and restaurant industry struggles to recruit locally trained staff, hampering the upgrade of the offer and value creation on the island. This lycée aims to remedy this over the long term.
Why It Matters
Réunion is betting on tourism as an economic diversification lever in a context of persistently high unemployment — 18% in Q1 2026. Training local professionals means reducing dependence on external recruitment and providing concrete opportunities for young Réunionnais. This €84M investment is part of the regional strategy to build human capital in support of more inclusive growth.
Sources: Imazpress, Zinfos 974, La1ère, Freedom — 2025-2026.