AsiaNet 84609

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, June 30, 2020/PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has partnered with Sommet Education for

an innovative Hospitality Challenge. The initiative will grant 30 scholarships

for world class education programmes and support career climbers and switchers,

entrepreneurs and innovators develop themselves and their projects and so help

drive tourism's recovery.

Around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought tourism to a standstill.

Now, as the sector restarts, this competition is designed to identify ideas and

individuals capable of accelerating recovery while promoting inclusivity and

sustainability in the sector to invent the hospitality of tomorrow. Selection

criteria include the degree of disruptiveness, project maturity and potential

for implementation, as well as viability, scalability, digitalization,

sustainability, and the potential to attract the interest of investors. The

competition will focus on four different categories:

*        Luxury travels, goods and services

*        Hotels and hotel related operations: small to medium sized properties,

        family businesses

*        Food and Beverage: restaurants, catering, delivery services and retail

*        Smart Real Estate: small to medium sized properties and family

        businesses

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: "The tourism sector is a

source of employment for many millions. Jobs in tourism provide opportunity,

empowerment and equality, including for women, youth and people living in rural

communities. As we restart tourism, the time is right to rethink hospitality,

and to identify and implement new ideas to make the sector more inclusive and

sustainable. The UNWTO Hospitality Challenge will do just this."

Benoit-Etienne Domenget, Chief Executive Officer at Sommet Education added:

"This crisis presents us with an opportunity to reconcile visions of the world

that have been too long opposed to invent the hospitality of tomorrow. We

believe education is the foundation of a more hospitable world. Offering

scholarships is a contribution to the recovery of the hospitality economy, by

accelerating the personal development of talented people with creative views,

supporting their vision and revamp hospitality."

The competition is open now and will close at the end of August. A Selection

Committee made up of an international network of investors, entrepreneurs and

experts from UNWTO Member, Affiliate Members and strategic allies, as well as

from representatives of Sommet Education, will then choose 30 finalists.

The 30 finalists will be eligible for full scholarships in 15 different

programmes in Hospitality, Culinary and Pastry Arts Management, (Bachelors,

Masters, MBAs) offered in the world-class academic institutions of Sommet

Education: Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland and London, Les

Roches Crans-Montana in Switzerland, Les Roches Marbella in Spain and École

Ducasse in France.

Among the 30 winners, the top three most innovative entrepreneurial projects

will be granted funding to support their initial development. These projects

will be funded by Eurazeo, leading global investment group from which Sommet

Education is a portfolio Company. This will offer the three winners even more

chances of success for their projects.

More information on the competition and on how to apply can be found at

Hospitality Challenge webpage

[http://www.sommet-education.com/unwto-hospitality-challenge ].

About the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations specialized agency

fostering tourism as a vehicle for equal, inclusive and sustainable

development. Working with its Member States, international organizations and

the private sector, UNWTO promotes safe and seamless travel for all. UNWTO also

works to make tourism the foundation of trust and international cooperation and

a central pillar of recovery from adversity. As part of the wider UN system,

UNWTO 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.

About Sommet Education

Sommet Education, global leader in hospitality management and culinary arts is

committed to develop the Hospitality leaders of tomorrow. The group encompasses

3 world-class academic institutions: Glion, Les Roches, and Ecole Ducasse, with

campuses in Switzerland, Spain, China, the UK, and France. These offer

bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and diplomas through academic excellence

and a dynamic multicultural environment.

Sommet Education is the only education network with two institutions ranked

among the world's top three for hospitality education and employer reputation

(QS World University).  

More information here: [http://www.sommet-education.com/ ].

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1198334/Sommet_Education.mp4  

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1198318/Hospitality_Challenge.jpg

PRESS CONTACT:

Anouck Weiss

media@sommet-education.com

SOURCE: Sommet Education