The 2023 edition of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge officially kicks off

The Hague, Netherlands 30 March 2023: Hotelschool The Hague has announced the launch of the 2023 Sustainable Hospitality Challenge (SHC). This year’s edition will include for the first time leading international architecture, technology and design universities that will be joining the participating top-tier hospitality institutions in order to form multidisciplinary student teams.

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 will be competing in this year’s challenge.

Paul Griep, founder of the SHC, said:

“Looking at Cornell University’s winning 2022 concept we see a perfect example of added value thanks to multi-disciplinary synergy. By seeking the support from aero-space engineers, architects and financial advisors, Cornell was able to lift its winning project to the next level. Working with other disciplines in the 2023 SHC will allow innovation to be well integrated, complete and feasible. I am already seeing how bringing together students from different disciplines in this year’s challenge benefits the sustainable future of our industry and the planet. It will empower them to create the best, most innovative and complete concepts. I welcome all multi-disciplinary teams to this year’s challenge and cannot wait to see what great concepts they have created."

The challenge, founded in 2014 as the ‘Genio Worldwide Innovation Summit,’ has re-established itself to make sustainability its central theme, given the urgent relevance of the climate crisis to the hospitality industry. Presented by Hotelschool The Hague, The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge together with its partners The Bench, The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, and its main sponsor NEOM, is committed to building a more sustainable future.

Last year's theme of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge was 'REMOTE'. The winning team from Cornell University presented its 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’, and focuses on the urgent need to preserve and regenerate ecosystems. Primarily inspired by NEOM's respectful relationship with nature, this year’s theme touches upon regenerative tourism.

NEOM is located in the Tabuk Province of north-western Saudi Arabia. It covers 26,500km2 and extends 460 km along the coast of the Red Sea, is built on the most ancient land, enhanced by world-leading design, immersive digital experiences and seamless travel. NEOM will challenge and shape the possibilities of global travel in the years to come.

The qualification rounds will be held in May 2023, followed by the semi-finals in Amsterdam. The finals, in partnership with The Bench and The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, will be held at the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) in Abu Dhabi.

Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench: "We’re very excited to host the finals of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge at the Future Hospitality Summit again this year, and we look forward to welcoming the finalists to Abu Dhabi in September. We have been blown away by the young talent over the past few years and I’m sure we’re in for a great final round, especially with the introduction of the multidisciplinary teams. Architecture, design and technology are key drivers of innovation in hospitality and I’m excited to see what sustainable solutions they will be able to bring to our industry."

“The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge is always one of the highlights of our summit. It is exciting to see these young bright minds come together and design solutions for a more sustainable future for the hospitality industry,” said Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.

“Change is the only constant for sustainability and innovation, and the next generation of hospitality professionals are those who will push the envelope of innovation for all of us. Giving them a voice and decision-making powers to lead the change bottom-up will further disrupt our space. This is why we have chosen to join and contribute to the student challenge and drive change with the youth talent from far and wide joining our ranks. Looking forward to the disruptive ideas they will share for a greener and more inclusive world,” shared Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality.

Tickets and information for the qualification rounds and semi-finals in Amsterdam will be shared on LinkedIn, Instagram, and the challenge's website www.thestudentchallenge.com.