30 SEP - 02 OCT 2024
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai

Sustainable Hospitality Challenge at FHS

The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge (SHC) is a Hotelschool The Hague initiative that aims to enhance the evolution of sustainable hospitality, foster innovation driven by the leaders of tomorrow, and nurture talent on a global scale by bringing them close to industry organisations who want to reimagine the future of hospitality.

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, are competing in this year’s challenge.

Established as a platform that challenges innovative hospitality approaches for the last seven years, SHC has evolved into a global knowledge-based initiative supported by the world’s best-known hospitality brands, global hospitality project developers, and smart cities.

Last year’s edition of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge had ‘REMOTE’ as its central theme. The winning team from Cornell University presented their concept “Nimbus”, an eco-resort in remote areas. By means of hot air balloons, Nimbus would bring economic opportunities to local communities while promoting sustainable tourism.

The theme of this year’s challenge is: ‘One with nature’, focusing on the urgent need to preserve and regenerate ecosystems. Primarily inspired by NEOM’s respectful relationship with nature, this year’s challenge touches upon regenerative tourism.

This year's winning team will get a stage moment at the WTTC Global Summit in Rwanda. The team will get the chance to present in front of 200+ media outlets & politicians/governmental leaders from all over the world.

The five finalists who will compete at FHS-AHIC in Abu Dhabi this September include,

  1. Cornell University
  2. Hotelschool the Hague & Nanyang Technological University Singapore
  3. Culinary Institute of America & Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc)
  4. Politecnico di Milano
  5. Hotel Management School Maastricht & University of Münster

Judges for SHC Finals

The finalists of this year's long challenge will pitch their innovative ideas to a prominent jury of senior industry leaders with the finalists being acknowledged on stage on 26th September.