College of Tourism & Hotel Management (COTHM) successfully launched the first-ever Pakistan NextGen Hospitality Challenge at the historic Faletti’s Hotel, Lahore, marking a new milestone in Pakistan’s hospitality and tourism education.

The event began with the arrival of participating teams from COTHM Rawalpindi, COTHM Islamabad, COTHM Karachi, COTHM Multan, COTHM Bahawalpur, COTHM Rahim Yar Khan, COTHM Sahiwal, COTHM Joher Town, and COTHM New Garden Town followed by a photography session that set the stage for an exciting day of competitions. Ceremony host Babar Sheikh briefed the audience, introducing the teams and outlining the competition categories, which included: Front Office Management, Food & Beverage/Restaurant, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Sales & Marketing Management, Strategic Thinking in Hospitality, and Tourist Destination Management.

The ceremony commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran and the national anthem.

The inauguration was jointly performed by Dr. Rick Stephen, Vice President of Worldchefs; Mel Nathan, Founder of Executive Chefs Club Australia; Ahmad Shafiq, Founder/President & CEO of COTHM; Zaheer Ahmad, COO of COTHM; and Zainab Shafiq, CEO of Chocolate Academy.

The day unfolded with a structured series of formal activities. It began with the Opening Ceremony and Welcome Address by Ahmad Shafiq, followed by a briefing on SOPs, Rules, & Regulations.

Earlier, welcoming students, mentors, and industry leaders, Ahmad Shafiq said, “Love, passion, hospitality, and management lie in our genes. COTHM took the responsibility to uplift young talent and has been fulfilling this pledge since 2002. Today, the presence of Dr. Rick Stephen and Mel Nathan proves that the world acknowledges Pakistan’s contribution to this industry.”

Industry leaders also shared inspiring words with the participants:

• Majid Bhatti, Director, F&B at Royal Swiss Hotel, Lahore, encouraged students by saying, “You are the future of this industry. Stay dedicated, stay creative, and you will lead Pakistan’s hospitality sector onto the global stage.”

 

 

• Salman Asif, General Manager, Four Points by Sheraton, remarked, “Hospitality is not just a profession, it’s a passion. Keep learning every day, and you will find yourself shaping the future of international tourism.”

 

• Zainab Shafiq, CEO, Chocolate Academy, added, “Our youth are the torchbearers of innovation and creativity. By combining passion with discipline, you have the power to transform Pakistan’s hospitality industry and represent it with pride on global platforms.”

 

 

• Mel Nathan, Founder, Executive Chefs Club, Australia, motivated the teams by saying, “Innovation is the heartbeat of hospitality. Think big, challenge norms, and you will stand out as leaders of tomorrow.”

 

 

• Dr. Rick Stephen, Vice President, Worldchefs added, “Pakistan is full of young, and vibrant talent. I see here the potential to compete at the world stage, provided you nurture your skills with consistency and professionalism.”

 

 

• Nisar Chaudhry, Executive Director, Yum Group of Restaurants, told the students, “Discipline, teamwork, and creativity are the true ingredients of success in hospitality. Carry these values with pride.”

 

 

• Masood Ali Khan, CEO, Sumo & Mandarin Kitchen restaurants, emphasized, “Hospitality is about people. Respect, care, and passion for service will always distinguish you as true professionals.”

 

 

COTHM Founder/President & CEO Ahmad Shafiq, at the end, announced that Pakistan NextGen Hospitality Challenge will continue as a biannual event, aiming to set international benchmarks for hospitality education and showcase Pakistan’s growing presence on the global hospitality map.