Hospitality Challenge Winners — Photo by Hospitality Challenge Winners

In June 2020, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Sommet Education launched the Hospitality Challenge to identify ideas and individuals capable of accelerating the recovery of the tourism sector. The initiative has received 600 applications from all around the world. The 30 top finalists were granted a full-board scholarship in different Hospitality, Culinary and Pastry Art programs hosted by Sommet Education’s internationally renowned institutions: Glion Institute of Higher Education, Les Roches, and École Ducasse.

50% of the projects addressed Sustainable Development Goal 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Chartok, Searchef and Join F&B were elected today at the Future of Tourism World Summit in Barcelona the top 3 most innovative entrepreneurial projects. They will be granted a total of 100 000 € funding to support and scale up their initial development by Eurazeo, leading global investment group from which Sommet Education is a portfolio Company.

Eurazeo is determined to turn its funding power into a catalyst for transition. A transition towards a more sustainable, healthier, environmentally friendly society. A transition towards a more inclusive, fairer and more equal society.

Sophie Flak, Eurazéo Managing Partner CSR, states: “Today we are extremely happy to provide financial support to 3 fresh ideas and passionate people, as we believe that these projects will develop into innovative and performing businesses with social added value for the Tourism and Hospitality industry.”

Luz Alvarado Zaiz from Spain studying a master’s in marketing and Management for Luxury Tourism in Les Roches Marbella and Joan Sanz are the co-founders of Chartok, a hotel collaboration software aiming at employees to be productive while connected from anywhere.

Jose Luis Egas from Ecuador studying an MBA in Global Hospitality Management at Les Roches Crans-Montana imagined Searchef: a virtual marketplace of real and digital gastronomic experiences with chefs, cooks, sommeliers, baristas, mixologists… connecting people to create events at any price, with world-class service.

Roger Obeid from Canada is studying a master’s in Hospitality Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Glion Institute of Higher Education. With Join F&B project he will focus on providing easy tools to the Hospitality and Food and Beverage Services industry, to include the invisible minority as disabled persons and particularly the hearing impaired and individuals with motor disability, as a new reliable and core workforce in this industry.

UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, said: “Without hospitality, there is no tourism. And without education, we cannot produce a new generation of leaders and tourism professionals who will restart and revitalize our sector. I congratulate the three winners of the Hospitality Challenge and look forward to seeing these innovative projects be scaled up.”

Benoît-Etienne Domenget, Sommet Education CEO adds: “Education is about fostering talents. We are extremely proud to enable these creative minds to further develop their ideas into businesses that will impact and transform the future of our industry.”

For more information: Hospitality Challenge

About Les Roches

Les Roches is a bespoke experience to educate tomorrow's leaders in hospitality. Founded in 1954 in Switzerland, Les Roches offers undergraduate, graduate degrees and executive programs in Luxury, Hospitality and Tourism Management. Les Roches has campuses across Switzerland, Spain, UAE and China, as well as partner campus in near New Delhi.

Les Roches ranks in the top 5 in the world's higher education institutions for hospitality and leisure management (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024).

Part of Sommet Education, worldwide leader in hospitality education, Les Roches is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

For more information and registration, please visit https://lesroches.edu/campuses/abu-dhabi.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi's culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi's wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate's position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate's potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture, creative and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi's vision is defined by the emirate's people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi's status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dctabudhabi.ae and visitabudhabi.ae

Anouck Weiss
Chief Communication Officer Sommet Education
Sommet Education