Rahul Dahiya, Marco Palamara and Andrei-Mihai Iftimie, or Team ALGI, have developed an algae-based ventilation system for hotels that purifies the air, reduces energy consumption and provides real-time data tracking of room air quality for guests and hoteliers. 

Air quality in hotel rooms is important, not just for the best possible customer experience but also for guest health. The industry spends 20-30% of operating energy costs on ventilation; however, indoor air quality in rooms is poorly monitored. 

After excelling from the qualifying round in February to the semi-finals in May, Team ALGI not only impressed the judges and investors with their innovative and sustainable solution but also the public, winning the Public’s Favourite Award through the first-ever online voting process in SHC history, which attracted over 5,000 votes globally. 

Team Algi’s travel and accommodation was covered by the Help To Achieve Fund, which provides financial aid to students either struggling with necessary costs like rent and purchasing equipment, or to pursue academic opportunities such as the Future Hospitality Summit. The Fund is supported by generous donations from alumni and friends of UWL. 

Following their success in Dubai, representatives from each of the seven finalist teams, travelled to Perth, Australia, to present their concepts at the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit. They showcased their innovations to the highest-level jury that SHC has ever assembled, featuring influential leaders from the world’s top hospitality and investment firms, positioning themselves for transformative investment and widespread implementation of their ideas. 

Thank you to the founders of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge for creating an incredible platform for students to bring their impactful sustainable ideas to life and advance sustainability in hospitality,” 

commented Senior Lecturer in Hospitality Management Jayanti Jayanti. 

Thank you also to UWL’s Westmont Enterprise Hub, Westmont Hospitality Group, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business Development) Suresh Gamlath and Dean of the London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism James Edmunds for their unwavering support to Team ALGI.” 

Marco, of Team ALGI, spoke about presenting at the WTTC Global Summit in Perth,

Standing in front of top leaders in travel and tourism, we received not only encouraging but incredibly insightful feedback for our project. 

This experience has solidified our confidence and provided the direction we need to take ALGI to the next level. This is just the beginning of our journey, and we are more committed than ever to creating a lasting impact on the industry.”

• Read more about ALGI
• Read more about studying Hospitality Management at UWL