Hungarian graduate chosen ‘Tourism Student of the Year’ in the UK

This year, a Hungarian graduate student, Szonja Szigeti, who now owns a degree in international tourism and hospitality management from the University of Surrey, was voted ‘Tourism Student of the Year’. She received her award from the Institute of Travel and Tourism in Great Britain (ITT) in the tourism-hospitality category.

What is ITT all about?

The Institute of Travel and Tourism represents and includes UK travel and tourism professionals, suppliers, educators and students. The main objective of the organisation is to raise and maintain professional standards in the travel industry and to provide support and guidance to its members. In 2008, they launched the Future You programme, which appeals to ambitious young adults. Over 20,000 students have attended ITT Future You events across the UK, while the number of worldwide attendees is even more staggering. One of their most popular conferences is held at the WTM Trade Fair, which also hosts the ITT Future You Award Ceremony each year. The accolade is handed out to emerging talents in the travel and tourism industry.

Hungarian graduate student bags award

In 2023, Hungarian graduate student, Szonja Szigeti received the award, which was presented in London, in the terrace pavilion of the House of Commons, writes turizmus.com. She was nominated for the award by one of his teachers, who wrote a 500-word recommendation letter praising his student’s exceptional academic achievements and strong work ethic. There is no prize money involved, but the reward itself is a great honour.

Bright future in international tourism

After three years of studies, Szonja Szigeti has recently graduated from the University of Surrey‘s International Tourism and Hospitality Management. According to her professors, she delivered an outstanding performance throughout her entire studies. When interviewed, Szonja also shared her keen interest in sustainability and revealed that she partook in several competitions, which she concluded with admirable results. Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that she wrote her thesis on the subject of food waste management.

Szonja has just started her professional career at the Anantara New York Palace, which she couldn’t be more happy about. She revealed that she envisions her future in Hungary. As to why she chose tourism and hospitality, the ambitious young woman explained: “I have been attracted to this profession since I was a kid, and I started working part-time in cafes, breakfast bars, restaurants, bars and hotels at a very young age. I love making people happy and seeing the smiles on their faces. A kind gesture goes a long way. I’m pretty lucky in that sense since being kind is a mandatory requirement in this profession”.