TakeOff! Challenge 2026: Redefining the guest experience at the heart of hospitality

Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, is proud to announce the launch of the 15th annual TakeOff! Challenge. As in 2025, the 2026 edition has a distinctly local slant, offering students an accessible, substantive experience grounded in the regional hospitality landscape.

For the last 14 years, the TakeOff! Challenge has invited students from all over the world to suggest practical solutions that support the Group’s priorities.

Accor wants to hear from ambitious creative students who are ready to shape the future of hospitality — while taking a deep dive into specific career opportunities available within the sector. It’s a chance for students to expand their industry knowledge, build their own networks, and discover where their passions lie. The aim is to inspire a new generation and bring fresh talent to the hospitality sector.

Real solutions for local contexts

Just like last year, TakeOff! Challenge 2026 will be rolled out across different regions around a common theme shared by all participants. This format allows students to approach the same challenge through the lens of their local markets, moving away from overly broad strategic thinking to focus on innovative, concrete solutions with real-world application. By breaking down linguistic and cultural barriers, Accor hopes to open the challenge to more international students.

Service that sparkles: a winning first impression

This year, the TakeOff! Challenge invites students to get right to the heart of what hospitality is all about: “Imagine a guest experience that creates an unforgettable first impression, thanks to a faultless welcome and an impeccable standard of housekeeping.”

It’s a theme that fits the Accor ethos perfectly. From the second a guest walks through the door, the experience of staying at an Accor property is defined by a warm and thoughtful welcome, meticulous attention to detail, and an immaculately maintained environment. Indeed, cleanliness is a key factor for guests: 78%¹ regard it as the single most important criterion when choosing a hotel, and it consistently ranks among their top three concerns ². Students can draw inspiration from a number of mechanisms in place throughout the Group, such as the booking and loyalty platform ALL Accor. With more than 100 million members and over 110 partners, ALL Accor offers a selection of loyalty services and benefits designed to foster a smooth and customized experience. Reward highlights include online check-in and express check-out — all part of the Group’s personalized welcome approach — and a range of in-hotel guest benefits depending on membership status level, such as priority welcome, complementary welcome drink, late check-out, early check-in, and room upgrades (subject to availability).

With this year’s challenge, Accor wants to get students thinking about innovative solutions that are both useful and practical, geared toward enhancing that crucial first impression that, from the moment the guest sets foot in the lobby, sets the tone for their entire stay. In hospitality, cleanliness and attention to detail are not just about checking boxes – they are the first signs of a truly guest-focused philosophy.

“The TakeOff! Challenge is, first and foremost, a chance to push students to a higher level. You’ll be jumping head-first into an intense, people-centered, and demanding environment where you’ll learn as much from others as you’ll learn about yourself. The ones who shine are the real ’Heartist® of guest relations’: those bold, curious people who are great at building relationships, devoting themselves to a team, and growing through action. With the TakeOff! Challenge, we want to find out what lights you up, and if pioneering the art of responsible hospitality is the right path for you”, explains Laurent Choain, Chief People & Culture Officer at Accor. 

Sign up for TakeOff! Challenge 2026

Are you ready to be a part of the future of hospitality and do you think you have what it takes? All the information you need to sign up can be found at https://accortakeoff.untap.us/

Launch dates by region:

• China – April 3

• Brazil – April 30

• Mexico – April

• Europe & North Africa (French, English and Spanish versions) – mid-September

[1] P&G Professional/Institute of Hospitality, 2019

[2] 2025 AHLA State of the Industry Report, via Ecolab

ABOUT ACCOR 

Accor is a world-leading hospitality group offering stays and experiences across more than 110 countries with over 5,800 hotels and resorts, 10,000 bars & restaurants, wellness facilities and flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry’s most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing around 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as lifestyle, with Ennismore. ALL Accor, the booking platform and loyalty program embodies the Accor promise during and beyond the hotel stay and gives its members access to unique experiences. Accor is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity, and inclusivity. Accor’s mission is reflected in the Group’s purpose: Pioneering the art of responsible hospitality, connecting cultures, with heartfelt care. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France. Included in the CAC 40 index, the Group is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) For more information, visit group.accor.com or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.