Willy Legrand

Dr. Willy Legrand is a Professor of Hospitality Management at the IU International University of Applied Sciences in Germany, where he has taught since 2002. His academic career centres on sustainable development and management, with a particular focus on tourism and hospitality. Over more than two decades, he has designed and delivered over two dozen undergraduate and postgraduate courses in sustainable development, business management and hospitality across Europe, North and South America, the Middle East and Asia. Alongside his role in Germany, he has worked as a visiting professor in countries including China, Dubai, France, India, Peru and the United States, bringing a global perspective to his teaching and research.

Professor Legrand is widely recognised for his contribution to sustainability scholarship. He is the lead author of Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry: Principles of Sustainable Operations, now in its fourth edition, which is regarded as a core reference text for hospitality professionals and students alike. He also co-authored Critical Questions in Sustainability and Hospitality, published by Routledge in 2023. In addition, he serves as co-editor of the Journal of Global Responsibility and has acted as Guest Chief Editor for the Hotel Yearbook Sustainable Hospitality special editions, platforms that connect academic insight with real-world industry practice.

Beyond academia, Willy Legrand is an active voice in global sustainability conversations. He has participated as a panellist at major international events, including the International Hotel Investment & Design Conference and the International Society of Hospitality Consultants annual conference in Vienna. He hosted and moderated the Corporate Social Responsibility Day at ITB Berlin, the world’s largest tourism trade fair, and regularly attends the Cornell University Sustainability Roundtable. His engagement extends to global policy, having observed several UN Climate Conferences, including COP21 in Paris.

Willy Legrand is hired as a sustainability speaker because he bridges theory and practice with clarity and credibility. He speaks to executives, investors and operational teams about the business case for sustainability, grounded in evidence and lived industry experience. As co-chair of the HospitalityNet World Panel on Sustainability in Hospitality, he works closely with over 100 experts across energy, food, waste, water and social impact. Audiences value his ability to turn complex sustainability challenges into practical decisions, whether advising hotel groups, training corporate teams such as Trivago, or shaping leadership thinking at global events.