students from the University of West London posing together at the Hospitality Symposium
students from the University of West London posing together at the Hospitality Symposium

Hospitality Symposium discusses current trends and future opportunities in sustainability

Intro

Last month more than 70 hospitality students at the London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism (LGCHT) at the University of West London joined some of their lecturers plus industry guests to discuss sustainability trends, challenges and opportunities in the sector.

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After a lunch hosted by the UWLSU, Senior Lecturer in Hospitality Management at LGCHT Dr Ariane Lengyel chaired a panel discussion with guests from the industry. 

The panel was made up of Catherina Ballan (People & Culture Manager at Mandarin Oriental Group), Lindsay Conway (Sustainability Officer at Lamington Hotel Group), celebrity chef James Golding and UWL students and graduates Rahul Dahiya, Marco Palamara and Andrei Iftimie, whose innovative concept, Algi, uses algae to create living walls that purify the air and reduce energy consumption. 

A panel of speakers at the Hospitality Symposium at the University of West London

The panel discussed innovative sustainability practices and how to measure their impact, how guest expectations around sustainability are shaping trends, the challenges in integrating them, how technology is enhancing sustainability efforts in hospitality, and how universities can better prepare students for careers in sustainable hospitality. 

Students at round tables were then joined by the panel members for discussions on practical examples of sustainability in hospitality and the role of future professionals, aligning careers with sustainability goals, and key obstacles to sustainability and innovative solutions. 

They also talked about important sustainability skills and key trends for students entering the industry, the role of younger professionals in advancing sustainability, and balancing profitability with sustainability in future roles. 

Students at the University of West London attending the Hospitality Symposium

Student Tia Manchanda said:

The symposium gave me a deeper understanding of the industry,”  “I gained new insights into both current trends and future opportunities in the field.”

Another student, Mercy Rai, commented:

The symposium was so interesting. All the panel members were very interactive, and I think what we discussed will be helpful for my assignments. Thank you so much for hosting this session.” 

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