They built their way to victory

22nd Hospitality Awards

True hospitality lovers were awarded yesterday for their passion, commitment, and ability to deliver at the Hospitality Awards Competition. This year for the first time, students worked on challenging issues submitted to them by hoteliers. 5 teams won the first Young Talent Awards. Here are the winners and finalists, congratulations to them and see you next year for a new competition.

The ceremony was presided over by Simon Vincent CEO Executive Vice President and President of Europe Middle East and Africa, Hilton: “Hospitality should be a force for good in the world, thought our founder Conrad Hilton. [..] I am confident we have much more to work through.”

David Kelly Senior Vice President, Continental Europe, Hilton added: “I think everybody has shown a tremendous amount of courage.”

Vanguelis Panayotis CEO Hospitality ON underlined the great challenges tackled by all the hospitality lovers for a full day of celebrating the hospitality and its resilience. He wanted to show support to all the people suffering from a conflict by establishing the #hospitalityforpeace to highlight initiatives showing how the industry also cares about the employees and the people living close to their properties.

Best Social Responsibility Action Local

EVERY CHILD MATTERS – an initiative in social responsibility for Ukraine kids fleeing the war by Radisson Hotel Group. An award presented by Carlos Díez de la Lastra, CEO Les Roches.

The finalists were Kids Go Green by LUX Le Morne and Creating shared value in the community in Madagascar by Radisson Blu Antananarivo Waterfront.

Best Social Responsibility Action Global

The winner is NH Hotel Group with their program Hotel with a Heart. ‘Hotels with a Heart’ aims to offer accommodation to children suffering from an illness who have to travel to a hospital far from home.

The finalists were Embrace Program by Accor and Battre le Compt'Cœur by Honotel. Three powerful initiatives that show the impact of solidarity on communities.

Best Sustainable Action Local

Is won by Geneva Marriott Hotel with Experience "Glocal" Hospitality, think global, act local. A trophy awarded by Frank Theis, Chief Customer Officer at Diversey.

The finalists were LUX* South Ari Atoll with #CleanTheIsland #CleanTheReef Campaign and On-site compost machine by Radisson Blu Scandinavia, Gothenburg.

Best Sustainable Action Global

Was won by Creation of new sustainable amenities lines for our hotels. Through extensive research and innovation, Accor has created a new range of eco-responsible wet & dry amenities made of more environmentally friendly materials.

The other great initiatives chosen for the final were The prime sustainable destination in the Mediterranean by Costa Navarino and The best experience, a sustainable experience by Meliá Hotels International.

Grand Prix

Created by a pioneer in 1967, the Pierre&Vacances – Center Parcs group is one of the jewels in the crown of the French tourist industry, now also present in Europe. Weakened by the Covid 19 crisis, the group has begun its transition under the leadership of Franck Gervais, CEO since January 2021.

He drove a radical transformation to restore profitability within the group and enhance its position as the European leader in local tourism. New investors, priority to CSR, developing unforgettable experiences, 54 years later in 2021 the Reinvention plan was launched, laying solid foundations for the next 50 years.

Franck Gervais and his team are therefore awarded by the Grand Prix.

Best F&B&E concept Local

François Van Aal president of Champagne Lanson gave the Best F&B&E concept award to Akira Back Prince de Galles A Luxury Collection Hotel. They have shaken up the codes of luxury hotel gastronomy, by collaborating with a world-renowned chef, with an unconventional personality, background and cuisine.

The winner was chosen by the vote of the audience between two other finalists, Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort with An Innovative F&B&E Experiences above the clouds and Raffles Bali Dining Destinations by Accor.

Best F&B&E concept Global

The Best F&B&E concept global was awarded by the audience to YoYo Restaurant par La Compagnie des Alpes. Yoonly & Friends at Risoul, is the first “Apart-Hostel” concept in the Alps, with an EATERTAINEMENT concept attracting people from the whole ski resort.

He was competing with Eatco and Qmin - IHCL's foray into the food delivery space.

Best Well-being program

Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort Lake Lucerne won the award with a vote of the audience. Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort Lake Lucerne delivers wellness, fitness and indeed medical wellbeing for all guests through dedicated, globally-leading facilities and activities. An award given by Jean-Michel Henriot, Vice Chief Executive Officer at Adova Group.

The other competitors were Longevity Packs and VIVID by Verita Health from Minor Hotel Group.

Best Media Campaign

The audience voted for Pierre & Vacances - Center Parcs for their media campaign Les Ignorants. The "Ignorant" campaign achieved its objectives of brand rebuilding, consideration evolution and business impact. An award given by Claire Moreuil Hospitality Deputy Director at FRANCE 24.

The other finalists were She Remains The Taj by IHCL and Toujours le même confort, jamais le même style by ibis Styles.

Best Loyalty Program

Best Loyalty Program is awarded to Accor for 360 ALL Experience Brands have passions, ALL makes them bigger buy experience" for members. An award given by Sandra Litas The New York Times after a vote by the audience.

The two other finalists were Hilton Honours Loyalty Program and IHG One Rewards.

Best Marketing Operation

Congratulations to Accor for the Mercure Hotels Top Chef SA initiative an initiative chosen by the audience. Mercure chose Top Chef to promote its locally inspired positioning, the excellence of its chefs and develops a 360° campaign aimed towards a large audience. An award given by Malena GUFFLET Booking.com.

The other two candidates the Arca Brand Collaboration 2022 and Accor (ALL) - Play Limitless.

Best Hospitality Concept

The audience voted for Grand Magic Hotel: A unique immersive guest's experience. A brand-new guest immersive experience near Disneyland Paris that invites guests to dive into a fascinating world between reality and imagination. An award given by Olivier Durix, CEO Customer solutions at Bouygues Immobilier.

The other finalists were Where it ALL started by Accor and Domes Resorts & Reserves.

Best Talent acquisition program

Was won by NH Hotel Group for the NH Hiring Toolkit. NH Hotel Group designed a program to meet managers' needs to strengthen their recruiting strategies in a busy environment where they could not attend traditional training. An award given by Dove Sebban, general manager of Vatel International Hotel Business School & Tourism management.

The two other finalists were "Jobs au Talent" by Accor and Work Your Way: winning hearts and minds by Accor Pacific

Best Talent care & employee engagement policy

Awarded to Accor School for Change Accor set up a training program to raise awareness and educate employees about the challenges of global warming: the “Accor School for Change”. A trophy given by Xavier Colonna President Colonna Group.

The other finalists were Boost your skills development program by Louvre Hotels Group and Radisson Academy by Radisson Hotel Group.

Iconic Employee

Stephanie Rambaud is a bold hospitality lover with more than 25 years of experience in the industry. She worked for Hilton for 15 years at head office jobs working her way up from a commercial to regional Director of sales Operation for Western and Southern Europe.

She didn’t hesitate to she joined Hilton’s nine month training program for new general managers to become the general manager of the Waldorf Astoria Versailles - Trianon Palace. A perfect example of what the hospitality industry can allow anyone to achieve as far as they are passionate about the industry. She also passes on her experience and love for human connection by coaching other Hilton employees focusing on women empowerment.

The award was presented by Christophe Barraud PhD, Chief Economist and Strategist at Market Securities.
Best Team Achievement

Best Team Achievement was awarded to B&B HOTELS for the first CSR certification adapted to the Hospitality sector. An Award presented by Marianne Le Clere Papalexis owner at ZOLOTAS House of Jewelry.