Students participating in the HFTP/MS Global Hospitality Business Student Blog Competition in the Spring 2021 semester demonstrated creativity and originality in their topics of research: tackling the problem of plastic through crypto anchors and blockchain; how the hospitality industry can capitalize on gaming and eSports; and emerging investment opportunities in distressed hotel assets.
The competition was sponsored by the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) Foundation and held for students earning their HFTP-UH Global Masters Certificate, a program with candidates of the Master of Science in Global Hospitality Business, a partnership between the CN Hilton College at the University of Houston, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at Hong Kong Polytechnic University and EHL.
The blog-writing competition ran the course of the MS Global Hospitality Business program, where the students were assigned to focus on a critical hospitality industry topic and submit their study as a blog article. Upon completion, a group of judges from HFTP reviewed and voted for the competition winners, identifying the top three.
The winning blogs will be published on the HFTP Connect blog over the course of the next three months:
1st place:
"Addressing the Plastic Crisis through Crypto Anchors & Blockchain Technology"
Written by: Joana Denelle
2nd place:
"Ready Player One: How Can Hoteliers Capitalize On eSports?"
Written by: Anastasiia Petryshche
3rd place:
"Distressed Hotels Find New Ownership and Vision"
Written by: Kristopher Swanson
Agnes DeFranco, professor and Conrad N. Hilton Distinguished Chair said, "UH is very pleased to partner with HFTP in this competition. HFTP is always at the forefront of providing solutions and ideas for industry issues. This blog competition is another great example of HFTP, thinking outside the box, working with our young professionals in creating alternative solutions."
Finally, congratulations to all of the students who participated in the HFTP/MS Global Hospitality Business Student Blog Competition this semester, and thank you for your hard work.
About HFTP Foundation
The HFTP Foundation is the newly-established philanthropic arm of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®). The foundation assists HFTP in securing nonprofit funding for hospitality and travel industry-related research, educational projects and scholarships. The HFTP Foundation oversees the HFTP Research Center.