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Next, the semi-finals moved to the vibrant city of Bangkok, Thailand. Hosted by Dusit Thani College at the ASAI Chinatown Bangkok, the Asian semi-finals were a melting pot of creativity and forward-thinking ideas. From May 12th to 14th, 13 exceptional teams from Asia, Africa, Australia and Middle-East competed, with the main pitching day held on May 14th.
The event opened with a word from the sustainable vision setters of SHC Paul Griep and Stella Van Toor. Followed by the pitches that were interspersed with cultural elements, including a traditional dance show that captivated the audience, reflecting the rich heritage of Thailand. The event also included an executive Q&A session, where participants engaged with industry leaders, discussing trends, challenges, and the future of hospitality.
The Asian semi-finals featured a keynote from Stefano Hanzawa, winner of the 2021 Sustainable Hospitality Challenge. Stefano shared the inspiring journey of his team and their winning concept, recounting their project on communal living and cooperative housing. He also paid tribute to their late teammate Eve Mignot, highlighting her passion for sustainability.
In a highly anticipated moment, William Heinecke, the Founder of Minor Hotels, graced the event to announce the finalists, adding a touch of prestige and excitement. The Asian semi-finals were a celebration of innovation and a demonstration of how collaboration across industries can make all the difference.
Dusit Thani College, established in 1993 as the Dusit Thani Hotel School, is a private educational institution in Bangkok, Thailand, specializing in hospitality and culinary arts management. Initially created to address the shortage of skilled professionals in the hospitality industry, the college offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including bachelor’s degrees in Hotel Management, Service Innovation in Tourism Industry, Culinary Arts, and Restaurant Management.
Additionally, the college provides international bachelor’s degree programs certified by prestigious institutions like École hôtelière de Lausanne and Le Cordon Bleu. Dusit Thani College aims to produce highly competent graduates equipped with practical skills and innovative perspectives to excel in the hospitality sector.
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Hotelschool The Hague
The school is the proud founder of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge. Hotelschool The Hague is one of the oldest independent hotel schools in the world, with two campuses, one in The Hague and one in Amsterdam, and more than 2850 students and 250 employees. The school offers a four-year Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management, a Fast-Track Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management, a 13-month Master of Business Administration in International Hospitality Management, a Master in Leading Hotel Transformation, and a Professional Doctorate Programme in Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality. Hotelschool The Hague has been voted the best public hotel school in The Netherlands since 2014 and ranks among the top hospitality management schools worldwide according to QS World University Rankings.
NEOM
NEOM is a new vision of what the future could be. It’s an attempt to do something that’s never been done before and it’s coming at a time when the world needs fresh thinking and new solutions. Simply put, NEOM will be a destination, a home for people who dream big and want to be part of building a new model for sustainable living, working and prospering.
The Bench
The Bench has established a legacy for delivering world-leading investment forums and conferences in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The key principle behind these platforms has remained ‘dealmaking’. Transforming the way business connect, Bench has developed a reputation for creating innovative and high-impact meeting spaces for the industry.
The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS World)
is a leading global event in the hospitality industry that focuses on shaping the future of travel and tourism. It brings together industry leaders, innovators, and experts to discuss emerging technologies, sustainability, changing consumer expectations, and strategies for addressing challenges. With a focus on addressing the ever-evolving demands of the travel landscape, the summit serves as a catalyst for transformation and growth in the industry. By connecting like-minded professionals and fostering collaboration, the event plays a pivotal role in driving innovation and ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for the global hospitality sector.
Mews
Mews is the leading platform for the new era of hospitality. Powering over 5,000 customers across more than 85 countries, Mews Hospitality Cloud is designed to streamline operations for modern hoteliers, transform the guest experience and create more profitable businesses. Customers include Generator-Freehand, The Strawberry Group, The Social Hub and Airelles. Mews was named Best PMS (2024) and listed among the Best Place to Work in Hotel Tech (2021, 2022, 2024) by Hotel Tech Report, as well as World’s Best Hotel PMS Provider (2023) and World’s Best Independent Hotel PMS Provider (2022, 2023) by World Travel Tech Awards. The company has offices in Europe, the United States and Australia.
Guest Supply
Guest Supply is an industry leader providing hospitality supplies, serving the world’s top hotel chains and independent properties for over 40 years as a full-spectrum distribution solution. A wholly owned subsidiary of Sysco Food, a $55 billion Forbes Global Fortune 200 company, their service-centric approach and robust supply chain and distribution network allow them to provide in-demand products and programs to meet their customers’ needs.
The World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
The World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance brings together engaged hospitality companies and uses the collective power of the industry to deliver impact locally and on a global scale. They work with leading hospitality companies and strategic partners to address key challenges affecting our planet and its people, and develop free practical resources and programmes to enable the wider industry to operate responsibly and grow sustainably. Their members make up 25% of the global hotel industry by rooms and include 14 world-leading hotel companies with a combined reach of over 30,000 properties and 4.5 million rooms.
UN Tourism
UN Tourism is the United Nations specialized agency fostering tourism as a vehicle for equal, inclusive, and sustainable development. Working with its 160 Member States, international organizations and the private sector, UN Tourism promotes safe and seamless travel for all. UN Tourism also works to make tourism the foundation of trust and international cooperation and a central pillar of growth and opportunity. As part of the wider UN system, UN Tourism is at the forefront of global efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including through its ability to create decent jobs, promote equality and preserve natural and cultural heritage.
World Travel and
Tourism Council
WTTC is a membership organisation representing the leaders of the global travel and tourism industry. WTTC is a forum for global business leaders comprising presidents, chairs and CEOs of 100 of the world’s foremost companies. It is the only body representing the private sector in all parts of the Travel & Tourism industry worldwide. WTTC’s mission is to raise awareness of the full economic impact of Travel & Tourism, the world’s largest generator of wealth and employment, which accounts for 200 million jobs and over 10 per cent of global GDP. Governments are encouraged to unlock the industry’s potential by adopting policy framework for sustainable tourism development.
Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is the region’s leading tourism development agency, representing the diverse interests of 24 Caribbean countries and territories. CTO promotes sustainable tourism development and fosters cooperation among member countries to enhance the region’s competitiveness in the global tourism market.