Meet Lukas Hasler

This month, we would like to introduce you to Lukas Hasler, a 23-year-old student from Switzerland studying hospitality management at SHL Schweizerische Hotelfachschule Luzern.

He was born into a family of hoteliers and grew up in a small four star family owned hotel in Switzerland. In a very early age, he already built up his passion in hospitality. He was already able to expand his experience in various hotels worldwide. From a small traditional Swiss restaurant in the Alps to a five-star luxury resort in the Maldives.

Besides school, he is also involved in the Rotaract Club Lucerne (Rotary’s youth organisation), as well as in a Swiss cultural brass band.

Q: Why did you choose to study Hospitality Management?

I grew up in a small four-star hotel in Switzerland and at a very young age I already got in touch with hospitality. During my internship at the reception at a five star city hotel, I knew that I had found my passion. To gain more knowledge I decided to study Hospitality Management.

Q: Why are you passionate about hospitality? What makes this industry unique?

I enjoy working with different people from all over the world, with the guests on the one hand and with the employees on the other. Every day is unique, and I never know what challenges await me.
In gastronomy, I find the process of creating a balanced dish or drink from simple products extremely exciting. Especially when I can offer the guest an experience and make them feel special.
The variety of the industry has never ceased to fascinate me. No small Company offers so many different professions like a hotel. There is a huge amount of knowledge in all areas of a hotel that is worth exploring. Not only a sommelier in the restaurant, a revenue manager, a human resource employee but also an accountant or a chef, have incredibly interesting areas of responsibility. Each of these departments is tailored to a specific type of person.

Q: What are the biggest challenges as a student in hospitality?

For me it’s a challenge and an opportunity at the same time, because our industry is so multifaceted. There are almost endless opportunities to specialise my education and skills. The school time is usually very intense. In addition to the lessons, we have various smaller and larger projects. For example, we are allowed to create a restaurant concept, which is then realised. This means that we already have a strong practical orientation during our time at school.

Q: The hospitality industry – as many others – faces the challenge of attracting and retaining talent. Do you have any thoughts on this that you would like to share with us?

At the moment, the hotel industry has a rather bad reputation in Switzerland. Especially in the media, there are often complaints about long working hours, poor pay or unfair treatment. Entrepreneurs and many associations also tend to portray themselves as victims of circumstances and external influences. I think this is the wrong way to go. We have such a great industry, which can score with many advantages. In my opinion, we should concentrate on our strengths and especially show young people that hospitality is much more than just carrying plates or heating up soup. Hospitality is predestined to introduce modern working time models, to give young people the opportunity to gain experience abroad and to develop and evolve in the most varied sections of a hotel.

Q: Why did you decide to join the HSMAI Europe Student Council?

Gastronomy is the great passion, which I have discovered. I want to exchange ideas with like-minded people and develop the whole industry. I also think HSMAI is a huge opportunity to develop myself, make new contacts and become open minded. Most of all, I’m looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and taking on new challenges.

Q: What is your dream job when you graduate? 

I will definitely work in the hospitality industry after my graduation. I have my little bucket list, what I want to achieve. One of the first things I am going to do is to open a pop-up restaurant. Later I am going to open different hotels on different continents. I do not have a precise dream job because the hospitality industry is too versatile, but I do have my dream goals. I want to show, especially young people, the beauty of hospitality. Furthermore, I want to learn more about the different cultures as well as giving other people the opportunity to do the same.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity to be part of the HSMAI Europe Student Council. I am already looking forward to the upcoming challenges and tasks, as well as meeting new like-minded people.