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Something is reassuring — almost timeless — about seeing true institutions stand together to shape the future. And in Singapore this week, two titans of tradition and innovation have shaken hands on something rather extraordinary.

EHL Hospitality Business School, often referred to (in suitably hushed tones) as the Harvard of hospitality, has partnered with the forward-thinking Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to launch the Tourism Leadership Excellence and Advancement Program, better known by the rather jaunty acronym, T-LEAP.

It’s a name that evokes action, aspiration, and a firm nudge away from comfy old armchairs and into the future of travel.

Over five intensive, hands-on days at EHL’s polished Singapore campus, T-LEAP will mould tomorrow’s tourism leaders with a curriculum that blends old-world wisdom with new-age savvy. And in true Singaporean style, every detail has been meticulously attended to until it gleams.

The program’s three-pronged attack on mediocrity includes:

Leadership Excellence & Strategic Growth: Because in tourism, as in chess, thinking three moves ahead is preferable to being left at the station, luggage in hand.
Sustainability & Innovation: Teaching executives that today’s eco-conscious traveller is not impressed by a token ‘green’ towel policy alone.
Technology & Digital Transformation: Where the wide-eyed learn how AI isn’t just for teenagers and TikTok — it’s reshaping how hotels, airlines, and even humble tour operators run their empires.

Participants won’t merely earn a feather for their caps — they’ll be inducted into the prestigious Singapore Leaders Network (SGLN), rubbing shoulders (and perhaps clinking glasses) with the best minds the region has to offer.

In the words of Dr. Guy Llewellyn, EHL faculty member and all-round educational heavyweight:

“At EHL, we are committed to fostering the next generation of tourism leaders through innovative and impactful learning experiences. T-LEAP brings together cutting-edge academic excellence, industry expertise, and real-world application to prepare professionals for the rapidly changing landscape of tourism.”

Meanwhile, Ms. Melissa Ow, Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, struck a similarly determined note:

“Tourism leadership development is critical in navigating our rapidly evolving industry. Through T-LEAP, we aim to build a future-ready tourism sector and nurture a new generation of tourism leaders capable of driving innovation and forging strategic collaboration.”

In other words, the days of ‘winging it’ are over — and good riddance too.

T-LEAP has already undergone a trial run earlier this year, which, by all accounts, went very well. So much so, the STB has wasted no time in locking in two further sessions: one in May and another stretching from October to November 2025.

And if demand keeps growing — as surely it will, in a region where tourism is treated as a national art form — more sessions could be added quicker than you can say “deluxe double with harbour view.”

The program is open to seasoned professionals from both Singapore and across the broader Asia-Pacific region, offering a golden ticket for those who fancy a future where they’re not merely reacting to change but riding its crest with confidence— and perhaps a touch of panache.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t just any course cobbled together for a quick ribbon-cutting photo. T-LEAP is the first program by EHL to be funded through Singapore’s vaunted SkillsFuture initiative, a subtle but significant nod that this is no flash in the pan — it’s part of the city-state’s serious investment in nurturing a workforce as nimble as it is wise.

In the end, T-LEAP stands as a modern echo of an ancient truth:
Success in tourism has always depended on leadership.
Not the loudest voice in the room — but the steadiest hand, the clearest vision, and the readiness to serve with both humility and ingenuity.

And if this new generation can marry the dignity of the past with the daring of the future?
Well, then — to borrow a turn of phrase from an older, gentler world — the future of tourism is in excellent hands indeed.