The Alliance is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the 2025 Sustainability in Hospitality Contest, an initiative designed to engage students across our member institutions in the pursuit of forward-looking, responsible solutions for the future of our industry.

This contest was developed as part of the Alliance’s broader mission to promote sustainability, encourage academic innovation, and strengthen collaboration between higher education and the hospitality sector. In this spirit, the competition has once again served as a dynamic platform for emerging talent to explore meaningful responses to the environmental and social challenges facing our field.

This year’s edition was further enriched by a strategic collaboration with Relais & Châteaux, the internationally renowned association of independently owned hotels and restaurants that places a strong emphasis on local culture, culinary heritage, and responsible hospitality. Their support and engagement added significant value to the contest, providing students with direct access to one of the industry’s most respected voices in environmental stewardship and hospitality excellence. We wish to express our appreciation to Relais & Châteaux for their partnership, their trust in the next generation of hospitality professionals, and their meaningful contribution to the contest’s impact. Their involvement exemplifies the kind of industry-academic collaboration the Alliance is proud to foster.

First Place: The team behind SHINRAI presented a zero-waste, locally sourced culinary concept that artfully blends Japanese technique with Thai sustainability principles. SHINRAI’s innovative approach focuses on eliminating waste through careful ingredient sourcing and kitchen practices, while honouring cultural culinary traditions.

Second Place: The runners-up, with their project Re-leaf, proposed an eco-wellness hospitality model rooted in regenerative farming and community-based tourism. Re-leaf envisions a hospitality experience that rejuvenates both guests and the environment by integrating wellness retreats with sustainable agricultural practices and meaningful engagement with local communities.

These visionary concepts reflect a deep understanding of sustainability in hospitality and demonstrate the power of academic innovation to drive real-world change. Both teams showcased remarkable creativity, thorough research, and a passion for responsible hospitality that inspires optimism for the future. As we reflect on the outcomes of this edition, we reaffirm our commitment to offering students opportunities to learn, lead, and contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive future. We look forward to the next edition of the Sustainability in Hospitality Contest and to continuing to work together to advance our shared goals.

Thank you to all who contributed to the success of this initiative.