Hosted by Universidad De La Sabana
Campus Chia / Bogotá – Colombia

The Hospitality Alliance Seminar 2024, held in October at Universidad de La Sabana, brought together participants from across the globe to address pressing challenges and explore emerging opportunities in the hospitality sector. Centered on the theme “Toward Innovative Hospitality: Designing a Better Future,” the event featured a variety of presentations, panel discussions, and collaborative workshops focused on innovation, cultural preservation, and sustainable practices.

Key Highlights

Design Thinking in Hospitality
In an interactive session led by Team Ekfrasi, participants worked through Design Thinking processes—including empathy mapping, ideation, prototyping, and testing—to foster creative solutions in hospitality.

Food Design & Health
Presented by Ma. Ximena Quintanilla and Katherine Bauer, this research explored how bio compounds, probiotics, and prebiotics impact gut health, focusing on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and its implications for the food industry.

AI in Hospitality
Led by Juan Manuel Vicaría from INALDE Business School, this session delved into how AI is transforming operations, customer personalization, and pricing strategies in hospitality, with case studies from brands like Marriott and Hyatt.

Innovative Pedagogy at Institut Lyfe
Presented by Maxime Moïse, this session highlighted Institut Lyfe’s approach to experiential learning, progressive responsibility, and industry-relevant research, preparing students to lead in hospitality.

Preserving and Celebrating Culinary Heritage
Monica Pulido from Colombia’s Ministry of Culture emphasized the need to safeguard traditional Colombian cuisines, focusing on food sovereignty, cultural pride, and community resilience.

Innovation in Culinary Experiences
Maria Gutierrez from Foodies Colombia shared her vision for using gastronomy to promote Colombian culture through curated culinary experiences and the introduction of a “Foodies Pass” for tourists.

Panel on Hospitality in Colombia
David Steward and Miguel Alejandro Buitrago discussed the unique challenges and opportunities of running hospitality businesses in Colombia, offering insights into market dynamics and customer expectations.

Women, Migration, Informality, and Cooking
Maricela and Diana examined the working conditions of migrant women in Cali’s informal food sector, underscoring the need for support to foster resilience in vulnerable communities.

Converting Local Markets into Tourist Destinations
Presented by Maricela I. Montes-Guerra and Natalia Zapata-Cuervo, this session explored strategies to transform local markets, like Plaza de Mercado Las Ferias in Bogotá, into vibrant tourist attractions through enhanced marketing and storytelling.

Alliance Network News

Participants were also updated on upcoming projects, including the Alliance Cookbook project, the 2025 Summer Program, and the next Board of Directors meeting at ITS.

Stay tuned on the Alliance website for further updates on Alliance initiatives and future events. This seminar has strengthened our community’s commitment to innovation, cultural preservation, and excellence in hospitality.