Les Roches CEO, Carlos Díez de la Lastra, Among Spain’s Top 150 Influential Tourism Professionals

• The work of Carlos Díez de la Lastra, at the head of what is now the world’s fourth most important academic institution in hospitality training, has contributed to professionalizing the tourism sector, promoting education and generating young talent.  
• His experience, in-depth knowledge of trends and close relationships with key industry players have made him an essential part of the sector in Spain, skills that he now – as CEO Les Roches worldwide – also implements at international level. 

India: For the fourth consecutive year, the consulting firm Sergestur (Servicios de Gestión Turística) has published its list of Spain’s 150 most influential professionals in the tourism sector. 

The roster once again features the standout presence of Carlos Díez de la Lastra – CEO Les Roches, one of the world’s four leading schools specializing in hospitality training. Founded in Switzerland in 1954 (Crans-Montana), since 1995 the institution has been based in Marbella, the heart of Spain’s Costa del Sol region. Hundreds of students representing up to 100 nationalities come here every semester in search of a comprehensive and transformative education, with the capacity to forge the next leaders of the tourism industry. There is currently a network of more than 14,000 Les Roches alumni: 67% got their first job thanks to contacts made at the school and up to 33% have started their own business.  

This dimension is inseparable from the figure of Carlos Díez de la Lastra, who has promoted the value of the brand and has placed hospitality and tourism training among the educational elite, acquiring a prominent position in the national industry.  

Carlos Díez de la Lastra Buigues (Madrid, 1970) who has almost three decades of experience in the field of higher education behind him, has successively served as Operations and Sales Director at the Universidad Europea de Madrid, an institution where he spent six years (2005-2011); Vice President Expansion and General Manager of the Universidad Europea de Canarias within the global network of Laureate International Universities (2012-2014); and CEO of Les Roches Marbella (2014-2022). 

Since March 2022, he has been CEO Les Roches Global and is responsible for the management of its sites in Switzerland and Spain. His objective: to place Les Roches at the forefront of innovation in the hospitality sector and to leverage its international stature as a benchmark academic hub. 

The consulting firm’s selection was made on the basis of criteria linked to experience, acknowledged professional successes and achievements, proven knowledge, accomplishments, communication, charisma, recognition, reputation among professionals in the sector and human value. 

The directory of the 150 most influential people in tourism was agreed by a consensus of journalists, managers of accommodation, restaurants, travel agencies and tour operators, university professors, training and consultants from various geographical areas of Spain.  

The Les Roches CEO appears on the list alongside influential personalities from different branches of the tourism sector such as Antonio Catalán (AC Hotels), Mar de Miguel (AEHM), Natalia Bayona (UNWTO), Gabriel Escarrer (Meliá Hotels International), María Frontera (FEHM), Amuda Goueli (Destinia), José Ángel Preciados (Ilunion Hotels), Juan Carlos Sanjuán (Casual), José Luque (AEHCOS/ Fuerte Hoteles), Diego Calvo (Concept Hotel Group) and Ferrán Adriá, (elBullifoundation).