Starting from the next academic year, Turība University will introduce the study of the hotel management system “Opera Cloud” into its curriculum, becoming the first higher education institution in the Baltic States to offer students the opportunity to learn the latest IT technologies used in the hospitality industry.

“Opera Cloud” is a globally recognized system widely used in the hotel industry, ensuring efficient management of daily operations such as guest check-in and check-out, reservation management, invoicing and payment processing, customer data management, and more. Being cloud-based, “Opera Cloud” allows access at any time and from any device with an internet connection. The system enables centralized management of multiple hotels, simplifies staff training, and ensures secure data storage.

The opportunity to learn this software during their studies will provide students with several advantages in their future careers. The acquired skills will increase their competitiveness, enhance IT proficiency in line with industry specifics, and improve adaptability to real work environments.

Tourism is one of the fastest-growing industries in Latvia, and its development demands increasingly knowledgeable and technologically skilled professionals, emphasizes Ēriks Lingebērziņš, Dean of the Faculty of International Tourism at Turība University:

"The study process cannot be disconnected from the real-world situation in the industry. Our task is not only to provide theoretical knowledge but also to prepare students for the real job market. That is why we invest both in modern technologies and in the professional development of our lecturers to ensure students have the opportunity to master modern, practice-oriented tools."

To further strengthen the acquisition of practical skills, the faculty is working on creating a virtual hotel model. This simulated environment will allow students to experience real-life scenarios typical of hotel operations — from managing reservations to invoicing and organizing conferences. Such an approach not only develops professional skills but also builds an understanding of the technical and organizational aspects of the hospitality sector during the study process.

The faculty's development is closely tied to industry needs. This is also evidenced by Dean Ēriks Lingebērziņš's re-election to the board of the Latvian Hotel and Restaurant Association for another two-year term. His active involvement in the association ensures continuous evaluation and adjustment of the study content to meet industry requirements, promote collaborative projects, facilitate guest lectures, and provide internship opportunities for students.

"The number of tourists in Latvia increases every year, which means we must ensure the preparation of high-quality personnel. The industry demands new ideas, adaptability, and readiness to use the most modern technological solutions – and we strive to provide all of this in our study programs," adds Ēriks Lingebērziņš.

Turība University is the largest business university in the Baltics, known for its practical approach to studies, strong collaboration with businesses, and an international partnership network. It offers students a modern and competitive education, providing 32 study programs, including those in the tourism and hospitality sectors. The academic offer includes a college-level program “Hotel Service Organizer,” bachelor's programs “Business Administration in Tourism and Hospitality Companies” and “Event Production and Management,” as well as the master's program “Strategic Tourism Management.” Turība University hosts the only Faculty of Tourism in Latvia, and its “Business Administration in Tourism and Hospitality Companies” program has been awarded the prestigious UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) TedQual accreditation.