Theme
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.
Future Hospitality Summit
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The Team
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.
The Team
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.
The Team
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.
The Team
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.
The Team
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.
Haitham Mattara
Managing Director MEA & South West Asia/Special Advisory to Secretary General UNWTO- Sustainable Tourism Development
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