The energy, passion, and spirit of the hospitality industry came alive as the College of Tourism & Hotel Management (COTHM) officially inaugurated the 2nd Season of the Pakistan NextGen Hospitality Challenge (PNHC) 2026, the country’s largest platform for emerging hospitality talent.

The grand opening ceremony brought together an inspiring gathering of students, mentors, and leading industry experts, all united with a shared vision to celebrate and promote the future of Pakistan’s hospitality sector. This year’s challenge promises to be bigger and more competitive than ever, featuring , 28 COTHM Campuses, 12 dynamic competition categories, participation from 130 teams, and nearly 400 talented students ready to demonstrate their professional skills and creativity.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of Ahmad Shafiq, Founder, President and CEO of COTHM, and Zainab Ahmad Shafiq, CEO of Chocolate Academy, who joined students and industry leaders to celebrate the official launch of this prestigious national event.

During the ceremony, Babar Sheikh delivered a detailed briefing on PNHC 2026, highlighting the vision, structure, and opportunities the competition provides for young hospitality professionals to showcase their abilities on a professional platform.

The most exciting moment of the event came when Zainab Ahmad Shafiq, alongside Ahmad Shafiq and prominent hospitality experts, officially inaugurated PNHC 2026 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the beginning of this remarkable journey of talent and innovation. The celebration continued with a symbolic balloon release ceremony, filling the atmosphere with excitement and hope for the future of Pakistan’s hospitality industry.

With hundreds of young competitors ready to perform across multiple disciplines, Pakistan NextGen Hospitality Challenge 2026 is set to become a powerful stage where passion, professionalism, and creativity will define the next generation of hospitality leaders in Pakistan.