Charleston, SC, January 11, 2026
The College of Charleston has launched the Michael and Amy Bennett School of Hospitality and Tourism Management to bolster education in Charleston’s tourism sector. This initiative aims to develop future leaders and strengthen the local economy. With a focus on practical skills and entrepreneurial spirit, the school promises to enhance career opportunities for students while contributing to the robust hospitality industry in the Lowcountry.
College of Charleston Unveils New Hospitality School, Boosting Lowcountry Economy
The Michael and Amy Bennett School of Hospitality and Tourism Management aims to cultivate future leaders, strengthening Charleston’s vital tourism sector and fostering entrepreneurial talent.
Charleston, South Carolina, renowned for its vibrant culture and historic charm, continues to demonstrate a powerful spirit of entrepreneurial innovation. The region’s economic landscape thrives on the resilience of its small businesses and the vision of local entrepreneurs. Against this backdrop, the recent establishment of a significant new academic institution marks a proactive step toward fortifying one of the Lowcountry’s most crucial sectors: hospitality and tourism. This private investment in education underscores a commitment to developing homegrown talent, ensuring that the Charleston County economy remains robust and competitive.
This initiative not only elevates educational opportunities but also reflects a belief that limited regulation and a supportive environment for business can accelerate growth and create avenues for personal achievement. By fostering a new generation of skilled professionals, the College of Charleston is directly contributing to the sustained success of the many businesses that form the backbone of Charleston’s appeal.
A New Era for Tourism Education
The Michael and Amy Bennett School of Hospitality and Tourism Management officially debuted at the College of Charleston on January 9, 2026, marking a significant milestone for both the university and the city. This pioneering school is the first named school at the College, signifying a bold new chapter in hospitality education. Operating within the College’s School of Business, the institution is strategically positioned to integrate strong business principles with specialized industry knowledge.
The school bears the names of Michael and Amy Bennett, prominent hospitality entrepreneurs whose influence is deeply woven into the fabric of Charleston’s thriving tourism industry. Their company, Bennett Hospitality, is a testament to entrepreneurial vision, encompassing the internationally renowned Hotel Bennett in Charleston and a portfolio of over 25 properties across South Carolina, Georgia, and Montana. Michael Bennett’s personal journey, which includes working with the College’s maintenance crew in the late 1970s, exemplifies the power of practical experience and determination in building a successful career. His investment in this school reflects a deep commitment to giving back to the community that fostered his own success.
Cultivating Future Leaders for Charleston SC Business
The Michael and Amy Bennett School is dedicated to a clear mission: to be a global leader in hospitality and tourism education, industry engagement, and talent development. The curriculum is meticulously designed to provide students with a holistic understanding of the hospitality and tourism sectors, equipping them with the leadership and practical skills essential for success in a dynamic and rapidly evolving global industry.
Students will gain expertise in various critical areas, including hotel and resort management, food service management, and events management. The program also offers emphasis areas in sales and marketing, human resource management, and general management, allowing students to tailor their education to their specific career aspirations. This comprehensive approach ensures that graduates are not only guest-focused, ethical, innovative, globally aware, and tech-fluent but also effective communicators capable of excelling in a diverse and ever-changing environment.
Charleston: A Living Laboratory for Hospitality
Charleston’s unique position as a top-tier global tourist destination provides an unparalleled advantage, transforming the entire city into a “living laboratory” for students of the Michael and Amy Bennett School. This vibrant environment offers rich opportunities for hands-on experience, internships, and extensive industry networking. Students benefit from experiential learning within Charleston’s diverse hospitality and tourism sectors, gaining real-world insights that complement their academic studies.
The school fosters deep engagement with executives and collaborates with industry partners across the Lowcountry and beyond, enhancing the learning experience and creating a direct pipeline to career opportunities. This emphasis on practical application ensures that graduates are not just academically proficient but also professionally prepared to lead and innovate within the industry, contributing directly to Lowcountry economic growth.
Tourism’s Powerful Impact on the Charleston County Economy
The hospitality and tourism industry is a cornerstone of the Charleston County economy, demonstrating remarkable resilience and growth. In 2024, the greater Charleston area achieved a record-breaking total economic impact of $14 billion from tourism. This figure represents a robust 7.1% increase from the previous year. The region welcomed an estimated 7.9 million visitors in 2024. Notably, the average expenditure per adult per trip saw a significant increase of 5.5% in 2024, with visitors spending an average of $1,105 per trip.
This thriving sector is also a major employer, providing jobs for over 55,000 individuals in the Charleston region. Beyond direct employment, tourism plays a crucial role in job creation, income generation, and supporting local businesses across various sectors, including retail, food production, and transportation. Furthermore, tourism encourages entrepreneurship and stimulates investment in essential infrastructure and public services, benefiting both visitors and residents (Nationwide scope). The South Carolina Tourism Product Development Planning Programme also exists, highlighting a state-level commitment to enhancing the tourism offering.
Fostering Entrepreneurial Innovation in the Lowcountry
The establishment of the Michael and Amy Bennett School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is expected to further invigorate the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Charleston. By providing a steady pipeline of highly skilled professionals, the school will not only support existing Charleston small business ventures but also inspire the creation of new ones. Charleston’s status as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship is already evident in its growing number of startups across diverse industries, including hospitality. The demand for experience-based, leisure-focused businesses in the Lowcountry is rapidly expanding, offering fertile ground for new ventures and creative solutions.
South Carolina’s favorable tax system is an attractive factor for entrepreneurs looking to establish or grow businesses (State-level scope). This environment, combined with a specialized talent pool emerging from the new school, positions Charleston to continue its trajectory as a leader in hospitality innovation and economic development. The collaboration between academic institutions, private investors, and a vibrant local business community creates a powerful engine for sustained prosperity.
The debut of the Michael and Amy Bennett School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the College of Charleston represents a significant investment in the future of the Lowcountry. It strengthens our educational infrastructure, provides exceptional opportunities for aspiring professionals, and reinforces Charleston’s standing as a world-class destination and a dynamic economic hub. This strategic move, driven by private initiative and focused on excellence, promises to continue fostering entrepreneurial spirit and ensuring robust Charleston County economy growth for years to come. We encourage our readers to continue supporting local Charleston SC business and stay engaged in the exciting developments shaping our community’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the new hospitality school at the College of Charleston called?
- The new school is called The Michael and Amy Bennett School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
- When did the new hospitality school officially debut?
- The Michael and Amy Bennett School of Hospitality and Tourism Management made its debut at the College of Charleston on January 9, 2026.
- Who are Michael and Amy Bennett?
- Michael and Amy Bennett are prominent hospitality entrepreneurs behind Bennett Hospitality, which includes the Hotel Bennett in Charleston and a hospitality collection of over 25 properties in South Carolina, Georgia, and Montana.
- What is the economic impact of tourism in the Charleston area?
- In 2024, the Charleston area generated a record $14 billion in economic impact from tourism.
- How many visitors did Charleston attract in 2024?
- The Charleston area attracted an estimated 7.9 million visitors in 2024.
- How many people are employed in the tourism industry in the Charleston region?
- The tourism industry employs over 55,000 individuals in the Charleston region.
- What are the key benefits of tourism for local economies (Nationwide scope)?
- Tourism contributes to job creation, income generation, and support for local businesses (Nationwide scope). It also encourages entrepreneurship and stimulates investment in essential infrastructure and public services (Nationwide scope).
Key Features of The Michael and Amy Bennett School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| School Name | The Michael and Amy Bennett School of Hospitality and Tourism Management |
| Debut Date | January 9, 2026 |
| Location | Within the College of Charleston’s School of Business |
| Founders/Namesakes | Michael and Amy Bennett, hospitality entrepreneurs with Bennett Hospitality |
| Curriculum Focus | Leadership, practical skills, holistic understanding of hospitality and tourism, entrepreneurship |
| Experiential Learning | Charleston as a “living laboratory,” internships, industry networking, real-world training |
| Economic Impact in Charleston (2024) | $14 billion in economic impact, 7.9 million visitors, 55,000+ jobs |
| Contribution to Local Economies (Nationwide scope) | Job creation, income generation, support for local businesses, entrepreneurship, infrastructure investment |
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