La Fondation pour la Formation Hoteliere

Enjoying some of the sites of Maribor and social activities whilst at the 24th Fondation Conference hosted by the Vocational College of Hospitality & Tourism - VSGT Maribor, Slovenia on 20-24 May. Great memories.

The 24th Fondation Conference was hosted by the Vocational College of Hospitality & Tourism - VSGT Maribor, Slovenia on 20-24 May.

The title 'Hospitality Reimagined: International Conference on Trends, Challenges & Solutions' embraced the style, elegance and mystery that encompass the world of James Bond. They challenged the conference delegates - FH partner representatives from different countries and guests - to confront and find solutions to the many headwinds that are faced by hospitality and tourism today.

The creativity and professionalism shown by the team and students at VSGT Maribor from start to finish created a world class and unforgettable experience for all.

New Hospitality Service Laboratory Opened at Odesa National University of Technology

We are delighted to announce the opening of a new Hospitality Service Laboratory at Odesa National University of Technology for students of the Hotel and Restaurant Business programme.

The laboratory was established with the generous support of Fondation pour la Formation Hôtelière (FFH), whose grant funding made it possible to purchase modern furniture, tables, chairs, storage units, a large TV panel, computer equipment and other resources necessary for practical training.

In addition, Odesa National University of Technology contributed its own funding to equip the laboratory with a lounge area and a hotel-style bed setup, creating a realistic environment that simulates a guest room.

The new facility will allow students to gain hands-on experience in housekeeping operations, room preparation, service standards and other essential aspects of hotel management. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical training, students will be better prepared for careers in the hospitality industry.

We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Fondation pour la Formation Hôtelière for its long-standing support. For more than 15 years, the Foundation has been helping Odesa National University of Technology strengthen its educational infrastructure and improve learning opportunities for students.

Thanks to this continued partnership, the Department of Tourism and Hotel and Restaurant Business has developed one of the strongest and best-equipped educational environments in Ukraine, providing students with access to modern facilities that meet the expectations of today's hospitality industry.

This new laboratory is another important step in preparing highly qualified hospitality professionals and demonstrates the value of international cooperation in higher education.

We sincerely thank Fondation pour la Formation Hôtelière for its trust, commitment and ongoing support of hospitality education in Ukraine.

On 13–14 May 2026, two international seminars were successfully held at Fan S. Noli University in Korçë, Albania, with the support of La Fondation pour la Formation Hôtelière. The seminars were delivered by Adrian Barsby and focused on Destination Management, Regenerative Tourism, Regional Economic Development and Placemaking.

The events brought together hospitality and tourism professionals, educators, public sector representatives, business managers and students from across the region. The diversity of participants created an excellent environment for professional exchange, discussion and knowledge sharing.

Participant feedback was exceptionally positive. Attendees highlighted the professional organisation, engaging discussions, practical value of the content and the opportunity to exchange experiences with colleagues from different sectors. The topics were recognised as highly relevant for the future development of tourism and hospitality in the region.

Special thanks go to Adrian Barsby for his inspiring contribution and professional delivery. We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to Fan S. Noli University and the Faculty of Economics for their hospitality and support.

A particular thank you goes to Dr Alma Zhilla for the outstanding organisation and coordination of the events on site. As always, everything was arranged at the highest professional level, creating an excellent learning environment for all participants.

We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of these seminars and look forward to future international cooperation and educational initiatives.

📢 From AI to Personal Branding: Redefining the Future of Hospitality Education.

On 23–24 April 2026, two international webinars “AI for Teachers and Students: Transforming Education for the Future” and “Academics 3.0 – From Personal Branding to Knowledge Monetisation for Higher Education Teachers” were delivered by Dr Kateryna Fedosova in cooperation with the Academy of Applied Studies, The College of Hotel Management, Belgrade, with the support of La Fondation pour la Formation Hôtelière.

The webinars brought together educators, industry professionals and students from the hospitality and service sectors, including representatives of leading hotels, restaurants and educational institutions. A significant share of participants were already actively working in the industry, including international hotel chains such as Crowne Plaza, Hyatt Regency, Hilton and others.

Across both days, more than 240 participants engaged in discussions on AI integration in education, digital tools for teaching and research, personal branding and new models of knowledge monetisation in academia.

Feedback demonstrated an exceptionally high level of satisfaction, with 96.9% and 98.2% of participants respectively confirming that the webinars met their expectations. Participants particularly highlighted the practical focus, real-life applications and clear, structured delivery of complex topics.

👏 Our sincere thanks to all participants and partners for their engagement and contribution to advancing innovation in hospitality education.

📢 Mastering Communication in Hospitality: Turning Mistakes into Professional Skills

On 20 April 2026, Odesa National University of Technology hosted an international webinar “Common Communication Mistakes in Business English for Hospitality Professionals” delivered by Dr Mihaela Lazović, with the support of La Fondation pour la Formation Hôtelière.

The webinar brought together academics, industry professionals and students from more than 20 educational institutions across Ukraine, representing cities such as Odesa, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Uman, Lutsk and Cherkasy.

The event attracted over 200 participants and focused on
improving professional communication in hospitality, addressing common mistakes in Business English and providing practical tools for real-life service situations.

Participants highly appreciated the clear structure, practical orientation and interactive format of the webinar, with 95.6% confirming that it fully met their expectations. The combination of theory and real-life examples made the session directly applicable to both teaching and professional practice.

👏 Our sincere thanks to Dr Mihaela Lazović for her excellent contribution and to all participants for their active engagement.

The Board of La Fondation pour la Formation were delighted to support the renovation works of the north and south roof terraces at the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality (FTHM), University of Rijeka, Opatija, Croatia. Does look stunning.