UNWTO Supporting the Hospitality Talents of Tomorrow
Representative image
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Sommet Education launched the Hospitality Challenge in June 2020. This was designed to identify ideas and individuals capable of accelerating the recovery of the tourism sector in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The initiative has received almost 600 applications from all around the world. The 30 top finalists will be granted a full-board scholarship for Bachelor or Master’s degree-level courses at 30 different hospitality programs. All of them are hosted by Sommet’s internationally renowned institutions specialized in Hospitality and Culinary Arts: Glion Institute of Higher Education, Les Roches, and École Ducasse.
The scholarships are dedicated to accelerating the personal development of talented individuals who will build the Hospitality of Tomorrow. The three most entrepreneurial projects among the 30 winners will receive seed money from Eurazeo, the leading global investment group to which Sommet Education belongs.
Out of the 600 applications, 39% were submitted from the Americas, followed by Europe (28%), Africa and the Middle East (both 18%), and Asia and the Pacific (15%).
The Hospitality Challenge focused on four categories: Hotels and Hotel-Related Operations; Luxury Travels, Goods and Services; Food and Beverage and Smart Real Estate category. Among the four categories, four eminent trends have emerged: waste reduction and sustainability, jobs and education, safety and travel experience, as well as revenue and productivity. Almost 50% of the projects address Sustainable Development Goal 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth. Many projects also offer new perspectives on the COVID-19 response.
“The tourism of tomorrow must embrace new ideas, new voices and the full diversity the sector has to offer. This competition highlights the best global tourism and hospitality has to offer. It shows how innovators from around the world can keep tourism, hospitality and travel at the very forefront of sustainable development and positive change for all,” Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General, UNWTO, said.
Benoît-Etienne Domenget, Sommet Education CEO adds “we are thrilled to welcome so many diversified talents in our institutions next year. The variety of backgrounds and profiles will source of creativity and bring fresh perspectives to all.”