The Pakistan NextGen Hospitality Challenge 2025 concluded with an inspiring award ceremony in Lahore, marking a milestone for the country’s hospitality sector. Organized by the College of Tourism & Hotel Management (COTHM), the event became a cross-national platform for students of hospitality, tourism, and hotel management. It highlighted Pakistan’s growing role in shaping the global hospitality industry.
Student Teams from Across Pakistan
The final day welcomed enthusiastic student teams from COTHM campuses nationwide, including:
- COTHM New Garden Town Lahore
- COTHM Johar Town Lahore
- COTHM Karachi
- COTHM Islamabad
- COTHM Rawalpindi
- COTHM Multan
- COTHM Bahawalpur
- COTHM Rahim Yar Khan
- COTHM Sahiwal
Each team showcased remarkable skills and creativity, demonstrating the passion of Pakistan’s future hospitality leaders.
Ceremony Highlights and Distinguished Guests
The ceremony, hosted by Babar Sheikh, opened with the recitation of the Holy Quran and the national anthem. A recap of the challenge’s journey from start to grand finale was also presented.
Distinguished guests included Ahmad Shafiq, Founder, President & CEO of COTHM, and Mel Nathan, CEO & Founder of Executive Chefs Club Australia and Publishing Editor of Food Companion Magazine.
In his keynote, Ahmad Shafiq emphasized:
“COTHM has delivered 75,000 skilled professionals to the industry, with 20,000 more ready to shine and lead.”
He also announced an upcoming international hospitality event on April 8–11, 2026, reinforcing COTHM’s commitment to global collaboration.
Vision Behind the Challenge
Zainab Ahmad Shafiq, CEO of Chocolate Academy, highlighted that the NextGen Challenge was inspired by global platforms and realized through teamwork and dedication.
Mian Shahid Mehmood, Executive Director of COTHM Johar Town, praised the event as:
“An unexpectedly amazing experience that showcased international-level talent.”
Competitive Categories and Awards
A total of 36 teams from across Pakistan competed in six dynamic categories:
- Front Office Management
- Food & Beverage / Restaurant Service
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Sales & Marketing Management
- Strategic Thinking in Hospitality
- Tourist Destination Management
Certificates, shields, and awards were distributed to winners, runners-up, and mentors by Ahmad Shafiq, Mel Nathan, Retired Col. Mubashir Javed, and Zahid Anjum, Honorary Consul of Kosovo.
Honoring Mentors and Cultural Showcase
Mentors and management teams received special gifts and shields as appreciation for their guidance. A cultural documentary contest also took place, with Multan campus winning first place.
To conclude, the audience enjoyed a mesmerizing Sufi whirling performance followed by cultural dances representing all provinces of Pakistan:
- Punjab – Bhangra
- Sindh – Jhummar
- Balochistan – Leva
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – Attan
