ESCAET: the business school specializing in tourism
Based in Aix-en-Provence, ESCAET has been training specialists in tourism, travel, events, accommodation, mobility and travel tech since 1984. A long-standing approach focused on the high employability of its students.
About this page
This centralized page is created by the InfosTourisme.com editorial team using publicly available online data to facilitate access to information for our readers. It is not an official ESCAET page. Need to correct, add to, or update information? Write to us directly at contact@infostourisme.com .
The essentials at a glance
- Official name: Higher School of Commerce and Tourism Management (ESCAET)
- Status: Independent private technical higher education institution
- Founded in 1984 by Jean-Maurice and Gaëtane Thurot (doctors in tourism economics)
- Location: 6 avenue de Grassi, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
- Academic validation: Certified qualifications registered with the RNCP at level 6 (Bachelor's) and level 7 (MBA)
- Qualiopi: Training actions, VAE, apprenticeship (AFNOR certified, valid until June 21, 2027) according to ESCAET.
- Official website: escaet.fr
Why ESCAET matters to industry professionals
ESCAET's historical appeal for professionals lies in its purely sector-specific specialization. Unlike general business schools that include an optional final course dedicated to tourism, ESCAET is structured from beginning to end around the issues and markets of travel and tourism.
Students gain in-depth knowledge of the entire value chain: event management, travel tech, tourism production and distribution, yield/revenue management, and mobility. For employers (tour operators, agency networks, hospitality companies, or tech startups), this translates into recruits who are quickly operational and comfortable with the sector's complex tools.
Key figures for the school
1984
Creation of ESCAET
+3 000
Alumni (graduate network)
+1 200
Partner companies
+30
Startups incubated (since 2017)
Sources: ESCAET official brochure & MBA information sheet.
The two reference curricula
Bachelor's degree specializing in Travel
Ideal for acquiring the necessary operational technical skills in business tourism, leisure, events and digital activities.
Access & Format
- Accessible after two years of post-secondary education (or a level 5 qualification)
- Available for a work-study placement (735 hours of placement) or an apprenticeship contract
Specialized MBA in International Travel Management
Designed to train future high-level managers capable of steering strategies, purchasing transport services, or leading innovative structures.
Access & Format
- Accessible after a bachelor's degree (or level 6 qualification)
- Available for a work-study placement (approximately 750 hours/year) or a 2-year apprenticeship contract
Comparison of ESCAET study programs
| Program | Entry level | Duration | Certification | Training format | Professional objective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree specializing in Travel | Bac +2 or level 5 qualification | 1 year | RNCP Level 6 | Alternating internship or apprenticeship | To train operational profiles for the tourism, events, production, sales and digital sectors. |
| Specialized MBA in International Travel Management | Bachelor's degree (or equivalent, level 6 qualification) | 2 years | RNCP Level 7 | Alternating internship or apprenticeship | To train managers capable of leading a strategy, a team, revenues, complex purchases or a large-scale tourism project. |
Integration indicators to be read by career path and by graduating class
The editorial team at InfosTourisme encourages applicants and their families to analyze placement rates with caution. Indeed, placement figures vary considerably depending on the cohort, the chosen training method (internship or apprenticeship), and the survey methods used.
Focus on the integration of the ESCAET MBA 2024 cohort (Official source)
- Certification success rate: 97 %
- Overall placement rate at 6 months: 71 %
- Cold satisfaction: 80 %
- Certification success rate: 97 %
- Overall placement rate at 6 months: 59 %
- Cold satisfaction: 73 %
The hybrid teaching approach
In order to adapt to the new challenges of travel agencies and travel tech, the school has been integrating a hybrid teaching method since 2021 (combining face-to-face classes in Aix-en-Provence and remote digital modules).
Professional speakers
The courses are taught by industry experts who are still active (executives in distribution, pricing or digital communication).
Case studies & Challenges
Group masterclasses, replays of teachings, real sectoral case studies and innovation challenges punctuate the year.
Individual support
Constant monitoring in the engineering of assessment and placement of learners (internship and apprenticeship).
Accessibility and reception of people with disabilities
The school implements an inclusive and structured approach from the admission phase for people with disabilities (PSH):
- Individual interview required for application
- Personalized educational feasibility study
- Video conferencing tools and dedicated time for assessments
- Accessible ground floor premises & adapted sanitary facilities
- Targeted support during the internship/apprenticeship search
Alumni Network & B2B Initiatives
ESCAET has established itself as an influential player in tourism forecasting through its network of graduates and its innovation initiatives.
Provence Travel Innovation
The school's incubator (co-founded in 2017) has already supported more than 30 start-ups focused on "Travel Tech" and innovation solutions applied to tourism.
The alumni network
More than 3,000 graduates hold decision-making positions in agencies, travel platforms and purchasing services.
Strategos & Pioneers Forum
Spaces for foresight, research and sectoral analysis that strengthen the school's expertise.
What careers are available after ESCAET?
The careers accessible after completing the school's courses are classified by major areas of expertise:
1. Commercial and Development
Business developer, account manager, development officer, customer relationship manager, transport buyer.
2. Production and Purchasing
Product manager (Tour Operators/Hotels), responsible for tourism production, transport and logistics coordinator.
3. Marketing, Communication & Digital
Community manager, web marketing manager, communications officer, social media manager.
4. Revenue Management & Data
Revenue manager, yield manager, flight analyst, hotel pricing/inventory analyst.
5. Events & Projects
Event project manager (MICE), innovation project manager, tourism consultant.
6. Management & Entrepreneurship
Business creator, activity manager, brand/tourism establishment director.
Student Reviews & Immersion Gallery
Discover below real testimonials about ESCAET as well as a lively glimpse of student life, masterclasses and the warm atmosphere of the Aix campus thanks to our immersion gallery combining thematic videos and current LinkedIn posts.
Cyril A.
Certified review
"Currently enrolled in the first year of my MBA through an apprenticeship program, I particularly appreciate the human dimension of ESCAET. It's a school where close relationships are genuine: communication with the teaching staff, administration, and the partner network is seamless, allowing for personalized and responsive support throughout the year. The program has the advantage of covering the entire ecosystem, with a relevant mix of leisure tourism, distribution, and business travel. The instructors are active professionals in these different sectors, which allows us to compare our work placements with diverse real-world situations and develop a comprehensive understanding of the market. The hybrid format is also a major strength: the tools implemented allow for remote learning (from Paris in my case) with a truly immersive experience. Finally, the school is very receptive to our feedback and quickly incorporates current topics such as CSR, AI, and emerging trends, demonstrating a commendable commitment to continuous improvement. Thank you to the entire team at ESCAET."
Natacha F.
Certified review
"A school very involved in supporting its students, particularly in finding internships or apprenticeships. The instructors are professionals in their field, which makes the courses practical and enriching. Distance learning is also a real advantage."
Anne-Laure T.
ESCAET graduate
"I'm a final-year MBA student at ESCAET (a program for professionals changing careers). The advantages of the program: the remote learning is functional, and the school's responsiveness allowed for very rapid improvements to the system throughout the year; the course content is highly relevant, with courses that are not compartmentalized, providing a comprehensive education rather than focusing on specific skill sets (a welcome change from "standard" courses at other schools!); some professors have the ability to change your perspective and approach in just a few hours (particularly in project management: Laurent Gotman, communication: Théa Yazli, and revenue management: Sébastien Emonet). The disadvantages: communication between students, professors, and administration could be more consistent and less fragmented at times. Overall, you go into your internship feeling well-prepared, so 5 stars :)"
Immersive Gallery & Conferences (LinkedIn Embeds & Atmospheric Videos)
Interactive Mode & VideosPhotos of the ESCAET campus
Photo credit: © ESCAET
Access live photos and reviews
The official Google sharing link gives you full access to the photos uploaded by the students as well as all 15 feedback reports.
The essentials for professionals in summary
ESCAET contact information
Establishment located in the heart of Aix-en-Provence, accessible by public transport.
Official website
For more information about online applications, fees and open days: