The French government has revised the national professional qualification for hotel and tourism management, updating the titre professionnel de responsable d’établissement touristique.
The change, published in the Journal Officiel on 24 January 2026, affects training standards and formal competence requirements for senior operational roles in the hotel and broader tourism accommodation sector.
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The updated title is recognised in the Répertoire National des Certifications Professionnelles (RNCP) at level 6, equivalent to a bachelor’s or higher vocational diploma under the French national qualifications framework.
The revision comes into force on 25 May 2026 and runs for five years.
Updated certification framework for hotel management professionals
The revision outlines a structured framework of skills and knowledge essential for modern hotel and tourism operations.
It consolidates and articulates core competencies in four distinct blocks, emphasising quality standards, human resources management, multichannel sales and operational decision making.
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By GlobalDataUnder the revised structure, candidates will be evaluated on their ability to:
- lead and optimise services in accommodation facilities within a quality and sustainable development strategy;
- manage teams and organise human resources in a tourism or hotel environment;
- drive sales and commercial performance via multichannel strategies;
- oversee operational management and capital planning for accommodation establishments.
The title is relevant across a range of accommodation types, from traditional hotels and resorts to longer-stay tourist residences, campsites and specialised lodging.
Broader implications for hotel industry workforce standards
Industry stakeholders see the revision setting clearer skills standards for hotel managers and directors, aligned with broader European vocational benchmarks.
By anchoring the qualification at RNCP level 6, France positions the certification as a credible professional pathway for career progression in hospitality, tourism and accommodation management.
The updated professional title also reflects a response to evolving market expectations, notably in quality assurance and sustainable operations, which are increasingly significant for travellers and operators alike.
Employers in the hotel industry will need to adjust training and recruitment strategies to this revised standard, potentially influencing talent pipelines, professional development programmes and management competence frameworks within the French and broader European hospitality labour markets.
Context within wider tourism regulation
France’s tourism sector is governed by a comprehensive set of standards and classification systems that extend beyond professional qualifications.
For example, Atout France oversees the star classification of tourist accommodation including hotels and other lodging types, building confidence for consumers through recognised quality ratings.
This regulatory environment, which also includes licensing and safety requirements defined under the French Tourism Code, underpins service quality and competitiveness for hotels and associated accommodation providers operating in the French market.
Overall, the updated professional title for hotel and tourism management reflects a broader trend to standardise hospitality qualifications and operational competencies, aligning them with evolving industry demands, sustainability priorities and workforce development needs in a global hospitality sector.
