Marbella/Madrid, 23 May 2022. For the third consecutive year, the Sergestur (Tourism Management Services) consulting firm has just published the list of the 150 most influential professionals in the Spanish tourism sector (which includes ten representatives of Andalusia – two more than in the previous edition). The roster notably includes Carlos Díez de la Lastra, CEO of les Roches Global Hospitality Education since March 2022, the worldwide network of Higher Education institutions.

The consultant’s selection is based on criteria relating to experience, communication, the degree of social and professional acceptance in the tourism community, the development of new management, ethics as well as social and personal responsibility, in addition to recognition of professional experience. According to Fernando Garasa López, head of Sergestur, the list aims to "provide a representative sample of the enormous degree of professionalism circulating within the tourism sector".

The directory of the "150 + influential people in tourism" has been agreed upon by a range of journalists, accommodation and restaurant managers, university professors, training, consultants and hospitality industry players from different geographical areas of Spain.

Inclusion in the list is an endorsement of the career of Carlos Díez de la Lastra Buigues (Madrid, 1970), who has accrued almost three decades of experience in the field of higher education.

In addition to his work at the helm of Les Roches, Carlos Díez de la Lastra is a member of various expert groups, including the Committee created by Turismo Costa del Sol to address the crisis caused by the coronavirus epidemic, as well as the Online Education Committee of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). His experience, his in-depth knowledge of trends and his close ties with key players in the industry qualify him as one of the most influential voices in national and international tourism. In his own words: "It is a real privilege to share a listing with some of the most innovative and talented people I have ever met. Spain is a great incubator of innovation and talent and I am convinced of the transformative power of its professionals, which is why I am happy to see this recognition attain an even more global level.”

The CEO of Les Roches is listed among influential personalities from different branches of the tourism sector such as Antonio Catalán (AC Hotels), Mar de Miguel (AEHM), Natalia Bayona (UNWTO), Gabriel Escarrer (Meliá Hotels International), María Frontera (FEHM), Amuda Goueli (Destinia), José Ángel Preciados (Ilunion Hotels), José María Rossell (Senator Hotels & Resorts), Juan Carlos Sanjuán (Casual), José Luque (AHECOS), Diego Calvo (Concept Hotel Group) and Ferrán Adriá (elBullifoundation).

About Les Roches

Les Roches is a Swiss institution focused on creating the innovative and entrepreneurial minds of tomorrow. Founded in 1954, Les Roches offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Hospitality and Tourism Management following the Swiss model of education. With campuses across Switzerland and Spain, a student body of more than 100 different nationalities, the institution provides students with a unique culturally diverse experience. As of 2021, Les Roches also has an academic alliance with the Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) with a partner campus in Gurugram (Delhi NCR).

Les Roches ranks among the world’s top 5 higher education institutions for hospitality and leisure management and for Employer Reputation (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2022). Part of Sommet Education, worldwide leader in hospitality education, Les Roches is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). 

For more information, visit Les Roches.