From 24 to 26 October 2025, the fifth edition of the "Behind the Scenes" project for young people took place at the renowned four-star Hotel Schweizerhof Lenzerheide. Eleven young people between the ages of 11 and 14 were given the opportunity to experience the exciting world of the hotel industry up close and actively immerse themselves in hotel operations.
Practical learning with enthusiasm
Over the course of three days, the participants worked in various departments of the hotel - from the kitchen and service to housekeeping and reception. They gained practical experience and learnt what it takes to offer guests an unforgettable hotel experience. Working in service was a particular favourite. "My highlight was that we were allowed to fold napkins, I thought that was very cool," says Timo from Bütschwil enthusiastically. Others were particularly attracted to reception: "Working at reception is something I want to do later on because it's varied and you have a lot of customer contact," said Nino, also from Bütschwil. The look behind the scenes also left an impression. "It's exciting and interesting, because you don't see many things as a guest," said Justin from Bern, while Sinan from Zurich added: "I learnt that the hotel industry is very diverse."
An experience for the whole family
Parallel to this, the parents enjoyed a relaxing stay at the hotel and were able to witness their children's progress live. This concept not only promotes an understanding of the diverse professional fields in the hotel industry, but also supports young people in their career choices. The young people quickly realised how important hospitality is in the hotel industry. "If you just put your plate down without saying a word, that's not good hospitality," explains Nina from Vättis.
Kathrin Bachmann, Head of HR at the Hotel Schweizerhof Lenzerheide, emphasises the importance of parental involvement: "It's important to us to involve parents and get them excited about the world of the hotel industry. Because only together can we attract young people to this profession"
Sustainable promotion of young talent with a signalling effect
The "Behind the Scenes" project was launched as part of the Hospitality NextGen Camp by HotellerieSuisse and is considered a pioneering initiative in Switzerland. The fact that it is being held again this autumn confirms the lasting success of the concept and shows how valuable practice-oriented experiences are for promoting young talent in the industry. The next edition of the camp is already being planned and is due to take place in spring 2026.
