On 17 January 2012, the first RIOU course aimed at training managerial staff in the hospitality industry to Olympic standards, took place.

The Olympic hospitality programme was developed by RIOU at the request of the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee and is now being implemented in conjunction with Sochi City Administration following a memorandum of cooperation.

The training programme included the study of client groups who will be in Sochi during the Games, as well as the specific features of working with them to make their stay as Games guests and participants comfortable. A separate issue-related section of the programme was devoted to providing services for guests with a disability.

The Olympic hospitality skills being taught as part of the programme have been agreed and approved by International Olympic Committee experts. Course participants, including hospitality premises executives and Sochi administration staff, are able to gain unique knowledge and skills through the practical classes, case study and analysis of real situations.

Course participants are given guidance materials at the end of the workshop to enable them to conduct training courses for their own staff.

The Olympic hospitality course is conducted by RIOU teacher Irina Bezmenova, Doctor of Psychology (PhD in Psychology), business trainer, and leading Russian specialist in service management and training executives for complex projects within the hospitality industry.