SHC 2023

Theme

ONE WITH NATURE

For the 2023 edition, the theme was ‘ONE WITH NATURE’, which focused on the urgent need to preserve and regenerate ecosystems. Primarily inspired by NEOM, the challenge’s main sponsor, the theme explored the respectful relationship with nature while touching upon the topic of regenerative tourism.

The 2023 edition included for the first time leading international architecture, technology, and design universities that joined the participating top-tier hospitality institutions to form multidisciplinary student teams. Over 40+ universities from around the globe, including returning champions Cornell University, Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), Toronto Metropolitan University, Hotel Institute Montreux, CY Cergy Paris Université, and Hotelschool The Hague, competed in the 2023 challenge.

The semi-finals were held at the Tobacco Theater in Amsterdam, providing an inspiring setting for the innovative presentations. The finals took place as part of the FHS summit in Abu Dhabi, bringing together industry leaders and experts to witness the culmination of the students’ hard work. The inclusion of these diverse disciplines ensured that the solutions were not only creative but also viable and ready for implementation, raising the bar for future editions of the competition.

The winners of the 2023 challenge were given the prestigious opportunity to present their concept on the main stage of the WTTC Global Summit in Rwanda, showcasing their groundbreaking ideas to a global audience of tourism and hospitality leaders.

The Winners of
the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge 2023

Future Hospitality Summit
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

  • BEST OVERALL CONCEPT

The Team

  • Giulia Ettori
  • Davide Grasso
  • Rosanna Caldarella
  • Elisa Schembri

Concept

HÒSTRAKA - Luxurious on-water guest experience with collection of microplastics

Humans are behaving like parasites, damaging the initial balance of the natural ecosystem.
It’s time to be part of the change: Hòstraka aims to protect the marine ecosystem while demonstrating how a sustainable vision can coexist with an amazing navigation experience. Our inspiration came from the ocean, with the cleaning activity of oysters that are able to create pearls from something bad for them: we want people to learn from what nature has already proved, offering the cleaning and the pearl experience. The greatest pleasure will be for the guest, who will enjoy the sea like never before: respecting it.

VIEW PROJECT
  • RUNNER UP

The Team

  • Viktoriia Bakshinskaite
  • Daryl Chionh
  • Silvia Gradogna
  • Wee Wen Bin
  • Priscilla Lelea

Concept

NEXUS - Gamified in-nature immersive experience

NEXUS is an interactive gamified hospitality experience, housed in a regenerative dome in Neom. The dome regenerates the desert, and boasts native plants and species, allowing a full immersion into nature. At Nexus, our guests are the heroes in a quest where each successful mission helps restore the environment.

  • SECOND RUNNER UP

The Team

  • Franka Grell
  • Ryan DeGraw
  • Ryan M. Laver
  • Milad Rohani

Concept

Al Marjan - Underwater retreat with a coral nursery

Pioneering the future of ultra-luxury hospitality, where innovation meets regeneration, and where every underwater encounter deepens the symbiosis between built society and the natural marine world. Al Marjan invites its guests to  discover a realm beyond the boundaries of ordinary in the embrace of the first ever completely sub-aquatic resort.

  • FINALISTS

The Team

  • Jack Freedman
  • Kristi wadler
  • Andrew Bialosky
  • Anthony Wilson

Concept

FYTOSI - Nurturing through nature

Discover Fytosi, where the philosophy of “nurturing through nature” permeates every aspect of the guest’s experience. Inviting guests on an extraordinary journey of sustainability, culinary excellence, and holistic well-being, Fytosi aims to inspire individuals to embrace a harmonious relationship with the environment.

  • FINALISTS

The Team

  • Valentina J. S. Wießmeier
  • Kim van den Bongard
  • Maria-Ioana Neicu
  • Christian Brunnert
  • Desislava Paneva

Concept

UKIYO - Connecting by Hiding

Ukiyo enables everyone to connect with the roots of Mother Nature and find their purpose of being a pure human again. To achieve this, Ukiyo follows a new approach: connecting by hiding.

Jury & Coaches 2023

Haitham Mattara

Managing Director MEA & South West Asia/Special Advisory to Secretary General UNWTO- Sustainable Tourism Development

Paul Stevens

COO, Middle East, Turkey & Africa, Accor

Sandeep Walia

COO, Middle East, Marriott International

Glenn Mandziuk

CEO, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

Guy Hutchinson

CEO & President, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation PJSC

Karin van den Berg

Senior Director Operations UAE, Hilton

Bernadine Galliver

Vice President Tourism Advisory, JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group

Dimitris Manikis

President & Managing Director EMEA, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts

Colin Abercrombie

Strategy Director, Hotel Development NEOM

Aseel Bondagjy

Hotel Talent Development Lead, NEOM

Abdulhalim Awlia

Hotel Development & Operations Specialist, NEOM

Sundus Baroom

Architect – Urban Planning, NEOM

Alexander Kluit

Managing Director NL/BE, Apollo Hotels & Leonardo Hotels

Wido Kijne

Senior Manager Optimisation & Innovation Europe, Marriott International

Federico Toresi

Global Vice President Design, Luxury & Premium Brands, Accor

Dirk Bakker

CEO Netherlands & Head of Hotels EMEA, Colliers

Hans Heijligers

General Manager, Intercontinental Geneva/Crowne Plaza Geneva

Marloes Knippenberg

CEO, Kerten Hospitality

Oscar Kneppers

Founder Emerce, Bright, Rockstart, Origen, The Wool Institute, and CEO Amsterdam Center for Entrepreneurship

Patrick O’Meara

Head of Business Development, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

Sophie Galharret

VP Sustainability Global Sofitel MGallery Emblems

Alexander Claus

Managing Director, CLAY Hospitality

Sharron Vanessa

Second Place SHC 2022
Sustainability & CSR Manager,
Yamaha Mustika Group

Other Years

SHC 2019

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SHC 2021-2020

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SHC 2022

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