Inside Revenue Management at Mandarin Oriental Barcelona: An ESEI Learning Walk
At ESEI International Business School, learning is designed to connect academic theory with real industry practice. For students in the Master in Tourism and Hospitality Management, this means stepping into professional environments to observe how hospitality operations function on a daily basis.
As part of the course Revenue Management for Hospitality and Tourism, students took part in a learning walk to Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, led by Professor Walid El Etriby, ESEI alumnus and hospitality revenue specialist. This session marked the completion of Session 5 of the course and offered students the opportunity to analyse revenue management within a luxury hotel setting.
What a Learning Walk Means at ESEI
A learning walk is an academic activity where students visit a business environment to observe, discuss and analyse how concepts studied in class are applied in practice. Rather than relying only on case studies, students experience how strategy, operations and guest experience interact in a real hospitality context.
This approach allows students to ask questions, reflect critically and connect their coursework to professional reality.
Exploring Mandarin Oriental Through a Revenue Management Perspective
During the visit, students were guided through several key areas of the hotel, subject to operational availability:
- Guest rooms and accommodation areas
- Dining venues and food and beverage spaces
- Public areas and guest experience touchpoints
Each space became part of a discussion on how design, service flow, positioning and brand standards influence revenue performance. Students were encouraged to observe how pricing strategy, occupancy planning, guest segmentation and service delivery are reflected in the physical and operational structure of the hotel.
From Classroom Concepts to Operational Insight
Throughout the learning walk, Professor Walid El Etriby facilitated discussion around how revenue management decisions are implemented across departments. Students examined how different functions within the hotel contribute to financial performance and long term profitability.
Key topics discussed included:
- Revenue strategies in luxury hospitality
- Operational decisions that affect profitability
- The connection between guest experience and revenue results
- Departmental collaboration in achieving financial objectives
Seeing these elements in a working hotel environment helped students understand that revenue management is not limited to pricing, but connected to the entire guest journey.
Learning from an ESEI Alumnus and Industry Professional
As an ESEI alumnus, Walid El Etriby brings both academic understanding and professional experience into the session. His background in hospitality revenue management provides students with practical insight into how these strategies are applied in leading hotels.
This link between alumni, faculty and students reflects ESEI’s approach to education, where professional experience supports academic learning.
Why Practical Exposure Matters in Hospitality Education
Revenue management is a central function in tourism and hospitality. Understanding it requires observing how hotels operate as integrated systems where service, operations and finance work together.
Through this learning walk, students gained:
- Direct exposure to luxury hospitality operations
- Practical understanding of revenue management in context
- Insight into how strategic decisions influence guest experience and profitability
Studying Tourism and Hospitality Management in Barcelona
Barcelona provides access to internationally recognised hotels and tourism businesses, making it an ideal environment for hospitality education. Activities such as this learning walk allow ESEI students to benefit from the city as an extended learning space.
By combining classroom learning with on-site observation, students graduate with both academic knowledge and industry awareness, preparing them for professional roles in tourism and hospitality management.
Explore ESEI’s Programmes
👉 If you’re considering starting your own journey in Barcelona, explore ESEI’s Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes and see how we can support you on your study abroad journey.
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