Founder, President and CEO of the College of Tourism and Hotel Management (COTHM), Ahmad Shafiq, is being widely recognized as the pioneering personality who introduced structured hospitality education in Pakistan and transformed it into a globally acknowledged sector.
At a time when hospitality and culinary education had limited formal presence in the country, Ahmad Shafiq envisioned an institution that could prepare Pakistani youth for international careers in tourism, hotel management, and culinary arts. Through the establishment of COTHM, he laid the foundation of a professional education system that not only filled a critical skills gap but also elevated Pakistan’s image in the global hospitality industry.
Under his leadership, COTHM expanded across Pakistan and abroad, producing thousands of skilled graduates now serving in leading hotels, airlines, cruise lines, restaurants, and tourism organizations worldwide. His consistent focus on international standards, industry-driven curricula, and hands-on training created a new benchmark for hospitality education in the country.
Today, Pakistan is increasingly being recognized on international platforms for its emerging talent in hospitality and culinary arts. Global institutions, foreign partners, and international hospitality forums now actively engage with Pakistan, a shift many industry observers attribute to the groundwork laid by Ahmad Shafiq and the COTHM network.
Beyond institutional growth, Ahmad Shafiq has also played a central role in organizing international culinary championships, hospitality conferences, and professional forums in Pakistan. These initiatives have provided local students and professionals exposure to global trends, judges, and organizations, further strengthening Pakistan’s standing in the international hospitality community.
Industry experts note that Ahmad Shafiq’s journey reflects how visionary leadership, combined with sustained investment in education, can redefine a country’s professional landscape. Through COTHM, he has not only created career pathways for youth but has also positioned Pakistan as a serious contributor to the global hospitality and tourism sector.
As international recognition of Pakistan’s hospitality talent continues to grow, Ahmad Shafiq is increasingly being hailed as the architect of a movement that brought hospitality education into the national mainstream and projected Pakistan’s potential onto the world stage.
