11th Annual EuroCHRIE University Challenge Comes to an Amazing Finish!

The 11th Annual EuroCHRIE University Challenge, delivered by Russell Partnership Technology in partnership with EuroCHRIE, came to an exciting finish on March 20^th.

The 18 schools competing were Strathmore University (Kenya), Stenden University (South Africa), Budapest University of Economics & Business (Hungary), Modul University (Austria), Hotel Management School Maastricht (The Netherlands), École Hôtelière de Lausanne (Switzerland), Odessa National University of Technology (Ukraine), Breda University of Applied Sciences (The Netherlands), Al Rayyan International University College (Qatar), Vocational College of Hospitality and Tourism Maribor (Slovenia), Boma International Hospitality College (Kenya), Thomas More University of Applied Sciences (Belgium), Copenhagen Business Academy (Denmark), Özyeğin University Faculty of Applied Sciences (Türkiye), TU Dublin (Ireland), FHWien der WKW (Austria), Hotel Management School NHL Stenden (The Netherlands), and the University of Derby (United Kingdom).

The teams, comprised of three to five students and one instructor, competed in a Simulation Challenge in two competitive sets of hotels (with one hotel operated by each school). Each week they formulated strategic plans to drive their hotels’ position in the competitive set, with a focus on Market Performance, Financial Management, Guest Satisfaction, and Associate Engagement. The winning team in each competitive set was the hotel with the best overall balanced scorecard at the end of the four-week competition. The top hotels from each competitive set were then compared against each other using a variety of metrics and a final overall winner was declared.

While competing, the students also completed their Certificate in Hospitality Business Acumen. This was delivered utilizing online learning modules and weekly web conferences.

This was a very dynamic competition with teams devising different strategies to drive their hotels forward in the competitive set. At the conclusion of the competition, it was the team from Hotel Management School NHL Stenden who were declared the winners, with second place going to Boma International Hospitality College.

This year’s EuroCHRIE Challenge involved 71 students representing schools from 14 different countries – and 26 different countries of birth! The commitment and focus each of the students displayed in meeting deadlines and actively participating during the weekly web conferences was outstanding.

Sincere congratulations to all involved! Russell Partnership Technology will be delighted to honour the top two teams at the EuroCHRIE Conference in The Hague in November.

What the teams said…

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Budapest University of Economics and Business

11th Annual EuroCHRIE University Challenge Comes to an Amazing Finish! 11

Our team feels that, based on what we have already learned in the classroom, this project allowed us to utilize all of our knowledge and tie it together through four weeks of teamwork.

Zsombor found the Cash Flow Statement very explanatory, and the formulas were also helpful.
Dóri believes that the overall knowledge she acquired will be important in her future career in a hotel-related position.
Márton also highlighted the multiple sheets that broke down all the formulas and exact items line by line.

As a team, we managed to work together and achieve a great position with the assistance of our professor Mrs Klára Morvay Karakas. Thank you very much for the opportunity and the great organization of Heidi. Congratulations to the other teams as well. We really enjoyed the competition!

Aklan Dorottya
Simon Zsombor
Urbán Márton

Instructor Lead: Klára Morvay Karakas

Vocational College of Hospitality and Tourism Maribor

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As students — Matija Pišorn, Alja Potočar, Dora Egghart, and Katja Šebenik from Vocational College of Hospitality and Tourism Maribor, Slovenia — we had the privilege of participating in the EuroCHRIE Challenge, an experience that proved both enriching and unforgettable. The competition was intellectually stimulating and offered us valuable insights into hotel operations, as well as the vital role managers play in the hospitality industry.

The weekly lectures were particularly impactful, providing in-depth knowledge that greatly informed our strategic decision-making throughout the program. We were especially impressed by the high level of engagement and the diversity of participants from across the globe.

We are truly grateful for the opportunity to take part in this challenge and for the knowledge and experience we gained along the way.

Al Rayyan International University College

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The EuroCHRIE University Challenge 2025, which commenced a month ago, has provided us with an invaluable opportunity to enhance our skills in finance, decision-making, communication, and collaborative teamwork. Given the unique challenges posed by the hotel’s operational circumstances, these competencies have been essential in our efforts to improve results each quarter. This experience has deepened our understanding of key hotel management principles, such as departmental spending ratios and market competition analysis. The weekly lessons and quarterly challenges have played a crucial role in refining our research capabilities and providing insight into the hotel’s internal operations and the broader competitive landscape. Moreover, this challenge has not only expanded our knowledge and skill set but has also highlighted the complexities of hotel management, revealing the intricate dynamics at play when considering the bigger picture.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Girish Nair for his invaluable guidance and unwavering support throughout the competition. Our thanks also go to EuroCHRIE and its organizing team for providing this exceptional opportunity. A special note of appreciation is extended to Ms. Heidi Anaya for her outstanding mentorship and training, which were pivotal to our success. The knowledge, skills, and experiences we have gained through this competition are invaluable and will undoubtedly contribute to our future professional growth.