Celebrating Excellence in Hospitality and Cultural Tourism

The world of hospitality is once again set to shine, as the prestigious HAPA® Awards return in 2024 to honor outstanding achievements in cultural tourism and hospitality. Widely regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the industry, the HAPA® Awards celebrate the most innovative leaders who set new global standards for excellence and innovation.

These awards, a signature of HAPA® Group, continue to honor the most innovative industry leaders, solidifying their reputation as a global benchmark for excellence in cultural tourism and hospitality. With a renewed focus on cultural tourism and hospitality, the 2024 HAPA® Awards aim to further solidify their reputation as a global benchmark for excellence.

The Global Hotel HAPA® Platinum Award will spotlight those who redefine hospitality through exceptional service, cutting-edge innovation, and a deep commitment to cultural integration.

Cheong Hai Poh Leads IFBA-HAPA Partnership in China

President of IFBA Cheong Hai Poh emphasized that the collaboration between IFBA and HAPA represents a groundbreaking initiative as they enter the Chinese market. This partnership, backed by the Asia Hospitality Alliance, aims to establish global service delivery standards that will enhance the hospitality experience.

President Cheong highlighted the importance of cultural tourism, noting that this collaboration will not only showcase the rich cultural heritage of various regions but also provide unique touchpoints for international engagement. By blending global best practices with local traditions, they aim to create a distinctive offering that resonates with both travelers and local communities.

He expressed pride in this initiative, viewing it as an opportunity to elevate service standards and foster deeper connections between cultures, ultimately reaching out to the world in a meaningful way.

In addition to the exposure gained at Boao, we are focused on opening new business opportunities in China. This initiative aims to strengthen connections and facilitate the entry of more Chinese producers into the global market. By fostering these relationships, we hope to enhance collaboration and share the unique offerings of China with the world, creating a vibrant exchange of culture and commerce

The Global Hotel HAPA® Platinum Award

This year’s event promises to reach new heights with the official launch of the 2025 Global Hotel HAPA® Platinum Award. Co-organized by the International Food and Beverage Association (IFBA), HAPA® Group, and the Asia-Pacific Hotel Alliance, this new accolade injects fresh vitality into the global hotel industry by recognizing pioneers who elevate hospitality through exceptional service, innovation, and cultural integration.

Acknowledging outstanding achievements in key areas such as service quality, cultural tourism, innovation, and sustainability, the Platinum Award is designed to motivate hotels to exceed industry standards. By fostering competition and collaboration, it inspires hotels to push the boundaries of hospitality, setting a new global benchmark for excellence and driving the future of tourism worldwide.

As a proud collaborator, the IFBA plays a crucial role in these initiatives, helping to shape the future of hospitality and cultural tourism. The HAPA® Awards and the Platinum Award both reflect a shared mission: to push the boundaries of hospitality, fostering innovation and setting new benchmarks for excellence across the industry. Together, these awards not only honor the best but also inspire new trends and opportunities for industry stakeholders worldwide.

Leading the Future of Cultural Tourism

The 2025 Global Hotel HAPA® Platinum Award will honor exceptional hotel enterprises for their performance in key areas such as service quality, innovation, cultural integration, and management practices. By encouraging healthy competition and fostering collaboration within the global hospitality industry, this award motivates hotels to go beyond industry norms and reach new heights in guest experience and operational excellence.

Through the combined efforts of IFBA, HAPA® Group, and the Asia-Pacific Hotel Alliance, the Global Hotel HAPA® Platinum Award also aims to shape the future of cultural tourism. By driving innovation, sustainability, and cooperation across the hospitality sector, it redefines industry standards while nurturing leaders who will shape the future of global hospitality.

A Global Gathering of Industry Leaders

The launch of the 2025 Global Hotel HAPA® Platinum Award was one of the key highlights of the Boao Global Tourism Ecology Conference and the First Global Ethnic Cultural Tourism Industry Development Forum. This event marked the beginning of a new chapter for the global hotel industry, with the Platinum Award set to become a benchmark for excellence in hospitality. The gathering brought together an extraordinary assembly of global hospitality and tourism leaders. It celebrated excellence and provided a pivotal platform for industry professionals to engage in strategic discussions, forge new partnerships, and exchange insights on the evolving landscape of hospitality and cultural tourism.

The 2025 Global Hotel HAPA® Platinum Award Launch Ceremony

An impressive array of industry leaders and dignitaries graced the launch ceremony, underscoring the importance of the event. Notable attendees included Huang Yimin, Vice Mayor of Qionghai Municipal People’s Government; Zhang Jinzhou, Executive Secretary-General of the China International Cultural Communication Center; Jennifer Ong, Founder and CEO of HAPA® Group, who led the award ceremony and recognized outstanding contributions to cultural tourism and hospitality; Dr. Han Bin, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Hotel Alliance, who contributed his strategic vision to the continued evolution of global tourism standards; Roy Sommer, Chairman of FBMA London and IFBA member; Ketut Darmayasa, President of IFBEC Indonesia and IFBA Member; and Tom Kuo, Secretary-General of IFBA.

As the global tourism landscape continues to evolve, the Platinum Award sets new standards for excellence. It fosters innovation and collaboration within the hotel industry, encouraging exchanges and partnerships that explore new trends and opportunities, creating benchmarks for the future of global hospitality.

Promoting Cultural Integration and Ethnic Tourism

A significant focus of the 2024 HAPA® Awards is on cultural tourism, with particular emphasis on ethnic and cultural tourism through the First Boao Global National Cultural Tourism Industry Development Conference. This initiative aims to inspire innovative strategies that blend traditional culture with contemporary hospitality practices, positioning cultural tourism as a key aspect of global travel. By highlighting the importance of preserving ethnic heritage, the conference and awards encourage hoteliers to explore new trends that support cultural preservation while enhancing the tourist experience. The HAPA® Awards play a crucial role in motivating hoteliers to integrate ethnic culture into modern tourism, ensuring that cultural tourism remains both a cornerstone of the industry and an opportunity for innovation.

Key Figures and Partners Behind the HAPA® Platinum Awards

Following the successful launch ceremony, it’s important to highlight the key figures and partners behind the HAPA® Platinum Awards. The awards are the culmination of a dynamic collaboration between four distinguished leaders whose expertise and organizations are pivotal in shaping the future of global hospitality and cultural tourism. Their deep commitment to advancing industry standards and fostering international cooperation is evident in their roles.

At the forefront of this effort is Hai Poh Cheong, President of the International Food and Beverage Association (IFBA). Under his visionary leadership, IFBA continues to play a critical role in fostering cross-border partnerships and driving innovation throughout the hospitality and food service sectors. The influence of IFBA in these awards underscores the organization’s ongoing mission to elevate industry standards on a global scale.

Jennifer Ong, Founder and CEO of HAPA® Group, is the driving force behind the HAPA® Awards. Her leadership has positioned HAPA® as a key player in recognizing excellence within the hospitality sector. By focusing on service innovation and cultural integration, she ensures the awards uphold their reputation as a global standard of excellence.

Dr. Han Bin, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Hotel Alliance, lends his strategic insight and vast expertise in hotel and tourism management to the awards. His influence is key to aligning the awards with the latest global tourism trends and ensuring that the winners represent the very best the industry has to offer.

Wu Honghua, Director of the Culture and Tourism Working Committee of the China Association for the Promotion of Ethnic Trade, brings a focus on cultural preservation, seamlessly integrating ethnic heritage with modern tourism practices. His work supports the broader goal of the awards to promote cultural sustainability alongside innovation.

Together, these leaders and their organizations are not just recognizing excellence—they are actively shaping the future of global hospitality and cultural tourism.

Selection Criteria: Setting New Industry Standards

The selection criteria for the HAPA® Awards and the Global Hotel HAPA® Platinum Award extend beyond service excellence, ensuring that winners contribute to the future of hospitality through a combination of innovation, cultural preservation, and social responsibility. Winners are selected based on their achievements in areas such as hotel management, cultural tourism projects, sustainability initiatives, and digital innovation within the hospitality sector.

Special recognition is also given to enterprises that demonstrate excellence in community engagement, environmental responsibility, and cultural integration. For instance, the Social Responsibility Contribution Award highlights organizations making significant efforts toward sustainability, local sourcing, and community development. Similarly, the Outstanding Figures in National Brand Building category celebrates visionaries who have successfully integrated cultural heritage with tourism, transforming their destinations into cultural hotspots. By promoting these diverse areas of achievement, the awards not only celebrate past accomplishments but also push the industry forward in meaningful ways, encouraging continued progress and development across the global tourism and hospitality industries.

Recognizing Special Award Winners and Industry Contributors

At the heart of the 2025 Global Hotel HAPA® Platinum Award is the recognition of outstanding individuals, projects, and enterprises that have significantly contributed to the cultural tourism industry, acknowledging their innovative work and dedication to excellence. A few noteworthy winners from the ceremony include:

• Shaoshan Jianguo Hotel– Red Tourism Demonstration Project
  • Beijing Century Sports Hotel – Top Ten City Business Hotels
  • Jiangsu Hongjinding Weaving Industry Co., Ltd. – The most influential national brand in China’s hotel industry
  • Wuhan Liantou Radisson Hotel – Best Conference Hotel
  • Guangzhou Dinghao Furniture Co., Ltd. – Professional hotel furniture manufacturer
  • Shenzhen Jiexinda Electronics Co., Ltd. – Best Hotel Digital Solution Service Provider
  • Changsha Xinze Culture Communication Co., Ltd. – Best Cultural Tourism Creative Design Award

These winners reflect the diversity of talent and innovation within the global hotel industry, showcasing the achievements from hotel management to creative solutions that enhance cultural tourism.

Additional Awards Presented at the 2025 Global Hotel HAPA® Platinum Award Launch

During the ceremony, various other honors were awarded across the hotel and hospitality sectors. Some of the most notable awards included:

• Best Hotel Toiletries Supplier– Awarded to Guangzhou Tianyuan Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
  • Best Conference Hotel – Presented to Wuhan Liantou Radisson Hotel
  • The Most Popular New Hotel Brands – Recognized for Ruitai International Hotel
  • The Most Ethnic Cultural Theme Hotel – Awarded to Shungeng Villa in Jinan

This wide range of award categories showcases the diversity of the industry, from hotel management to digital solutions and national brand excellence.

Looking Forward: A Bright Future for Global Hospitality

The 2025 Global Hotel HAPA® Platinum Awards mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the global hospitality industry. As the tourism landscape evolves, these awards will drive improvement, encouraging hoteliers and cultural tourism enterprises to innovate and deliver exceptional services.

The 2024 Boao Global Tourism Ecology Conference was a forward-looking platform that explored new opportunities and challenges within the global tourism industry. As co-organizers of this prestigious event, the International Food and Beverage Association (IFBA) is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation. We are committed to shaping the future of the industry, promoting collaboration, innovation, and sustainability.

The HAPA® Awards and the Global Hotel HAPA® Platinum Award not only celebrate excellence but also inspire continuous improvement. They motivate individuals and organizations to elevate their standards in service, management, and cultural tourism, ensuring the hospitality industry remains vibrant, competitive, and culturally rich.

As we look to the future, we believe these awards serve as a testament to the creativity and dedication of industry leaders, fostering a spirit of collaboration between the food, beverage, and tourism sectors to create holistic, culturally immersive experiences that enhance global travel. Together, with IFBA’s continued leadership, we can continue to elevate the standards of hospitality and promote a brighter, more sustainable future for cultural tourism.

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