The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge (SHC) 2023, hosted by Hotelschool The Hague, recently unveiled its distinguished winners during a momentous announcement at the Future Hospitality Summit held in Abu Dhabi. This year's edition of the event garnered attention for the extraordinary convergence of Tech, Design, and Engineering teams, who joined forces to spearhead a transformative sustainability movement within the hospitality sector.
The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge, an annual competition generously sponsored by the NEOM Hotel Development division, serves as a catalyst for innovation and sustainability, attracting visionary teams from across the globe. The victors of SHC 2023 not only showcased their inventive prowess but also exhibited an unwavering commitment to shaping the future of sustainable tourism and hospitality through cross-disciplinary collaboration.
In what has proven to be an intensely competitive event this year, Chris Newman, the Executive Director of Hotel Development at NEOM, expressed his thoughts on the Challenge:
"Congratulations to this year's challenge winners, who presented an innovative hospitality concept with a strong focus on environmental design. We take immense pride in being a part of this sustainability-driven initiative and remain dedicated to empowering the next generation of hospitality leaders to challenge conventional thinking and reimagine the future of our industry."
The triumphant student team will also enjoy the privilege of being hosted in northwest Saudi Arabia, where they will gain firsthand exposure to the cognitive cities and year-round destinations that are currently shaping the NEOM region. This includes a sneak peek at NEOM's luxurious island retreat, Sindalah, scheduled to welcome guests in 2024, featuring three distinct hotel properties. NEOM's generous support also encompasses covering all travel expenses for the teams attending the awards ceremony at the Future Hospitality Summit.
And now, introducing the winners of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge 2023:
Making their debut appearance at the 2023 Sustainable Hospitality Challenge, the dynamic team from Politecnico di Milano, consisting of students Giulia Ettori, Rosanna Caldarella, Davide Grasso, and Elisa Schembri, emerged victorious. Notably, they were the sole team in the finals with a comprehensive focus on design, making their triumph all the more remarkable. Their groundbreaking concept, 'HÒSTRAKA,' promises a lavish experience aboard a private mobile suite, enabling guests to actively participate in the collection of microplastics from the sea, a concept that stole the spotlight.
These exceptional students have not only earned well-deserved recognition for their pioneering ideas but will also have the opportunity to present their project at the prestigious World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in Rwanda. The WTTC's annual Global Summit serves as a high-profile global forum that unites leaders from the travel and tourism industry to deliberate on pressing issues and innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
Paul Griep and Stella van Toor, Directors of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge, expressed their enthusiasm, stating, "We are delighted and immensely proud of the competition's success and eagerly anticipate witnessing the winning teams showcase their solutions on a global stage at the WTTC Summit. Furthermore, we are excited about embarking on the next thrilling phase of the challenge in 2024, where Hotelschools from around the world will collaborate with esteemed Tech, Design, and Engineering Universities to develop investable, innovative, and pertinent products."
In the upcoming 2024 edition, the competition is set to expand in several significant ways. SHC 2024 will feature an even more extensive Tech, Design, and Engineering cohort, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. Moreover, participants will be tasked with creating solutions that are not only sustainable but also investment-ready and market-ready, underscoring a steadfast commitment to driving tangible impact within the industry.
