Young Hotelier Award honors top talents in the hospitality industry

Each spring, MODUL University is a proud sponsor of the Young Hotelier Award (YHA), the most important annual competition in Austria supporting and encouraging young talents with a passion for hospitality. The 14^th instalment of the Young Hotelier Award ceremony was hosted by the elegant Hilton Vienna Waterfront on April 18^th, 2017.

The concept to encourage and support up-and-coming talents working in local top hotels was born in 2004 and supported by the General Manager Council Vienna, a coalition of the general directors of the Vienna luxury hotels. The top prize is handed out in two categories – the Diversey Contest, aimed at under 25s in front line positions, and the MODUL Contest which recognizes outstanding persons in the 25-35 age bracket who receive full tuition or a fee reduction to further their education with a Master of Business Administration at MODUL University Vienna.  

The 18 nominees had the opportunity to elaborate on one of three topics: "Attracting and retaining the best available human talent" ‘’High Tech vs. High Touch – when are guests willing to forego technological innovation for personal support?“, ‘’Employer Branding – How can talented employees be held on to?’’ Which tools can help?“ and Vienna Tourism – how can the city of Vienna avoid the undesirable effects of tourism flows in the high season? Which marketing tools are suitable for this?‘‘

The candidates gave their presentations and were encouraged by motivating speeches from jury members, who shared their personal experiences and talked about the importance of lifelong learning.

MU president Karl Wöber and Dr. Florian Aubke, Dean of the Undergraduate School awarded the prizes to the winners and congratulated their success.

The winners of the MODUL contest are:

First place: Full MBA scholarship - Mag. Mubeen Thaha, Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront

Second place: Half MBA Scholarship (50% less for an MBA degree) - Dora Hably, ARCOTEL

Third place:  Quarter MBA Scholarship (25% less for an MBA degree) – Moritz Oswald, Sofitel Vienna

MU congratulates the winners and looks forward to welcoming them to their MBA studies this fall!

Photo L-R: Jovana Peric, Senior Officer MBA Recruitment; Mubeen Thaha, MODUL Contest winner; Florian Aubke, Dean of the Undergraduate school; and Katrin Brückner, Head of the Academic Office