The 2024 HM Awards, presented by Sealy Posturepedic, has raised over AU$25,000 for charity partner, Sala Baï Hotel and Restaurant School, in a major win for the Cambodian hospitality training school.
Funds raised through HM Awards’ Silent Auction, Sparkling Bar and pledge cards will support young underprivileged Cambodians to access professional hospitality training, providing them with a solid start to a career in hotels.
Sala Baï was established in 2002 by French NGO Agir Pour le Cambodge (APLC) in partnership with Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School.
Associate Professor Simon Pawson of Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School said the support and contribution from industry has been “overwhelming”.
“This really is a great example of our industry supporting our industry, specifically our future hoteliers from Cambodia,” Pawson said.
“The funds raised will enable Sala Bai Hotel School to enrol more students, especially young women who otherwise could fall victim to human traffickers.
“The opportunities provided by Sala Bai is one of the fastest and most cost-efficient ways of fighting poverty, human trafficking and the sex industry at grass roots level.”
Sala Baï trainers Roun Roeun and Sokea Soun were in attendance at Friday night’s event and spoke on stage about the importance of education in the fight against poverty and human trafficking.
In addition, several hotel businesses have committed to bringing Sala Baï graduates to Australia in 2025.
Trilogy Hotels CEO Scott Boyes took to the stage on the night to announce that Schwartz Family Company (SFC) and Trilogy Hotels will sponsor a Sala Baï graduate to start their hospitality career in Australia learning from world-class hoteliers.
Trilogy and SFC will offer assistance with obtaining a visa; return flights to Sydney; accommodation for six months; a hotel traineeship across multiple hotels and departments over six months; with the potential of sponsorship and a role on the completion of the traineeship.
“Together with Dr Jerry Schwartz, we wanted to do something meaningful and make a real difference,” Boyes told HM.
“We know hotels change lives, and hotels changed our lives, and together, we want to pass that on to graduates of great hotel schools like Sala Bai.
“We are so proud of our hotel teams and are delighted to provide the opportunity for a graduate of the amazing Sala Bai to learn from the very best.”
Dr Jerry Schwartz is a longtime supporter of charitable causes, having established the Schwartz Foundation in 2001 with his late mother Eve.
“Our aim was far more than just raising money for charity: we wanted to make a real contribution, to change lives, educate people and better the community,” Schwartz told HM.
“Many of our foundation beneficiaries are based in Australia, but we have also supported Asian causes, including Cambodia, where we have sent medical and school supplies in the past. It was all about helping Cambodians help themselves.”
Schwartz sees great opportunity in sharing knowledge and expertise between Australia and developing nations.
“Interestingly, many hotel groups in Australia send general managers to Asia to increase their standards and gain experience for the GMs, but there isn’t as much in reverse,” he said.
“Cambodia has a vibrant tourism industry that can grow even stronger through better training, so Scott and I thought we should bring their people here to gain experience that can be transposed into their hotel scene.”
He believes Australia should be doing more to support developing nations.
“I think it will also show Australia as a role model in Cambodia. We have a large Cambodian diaspora in Australia, so enhancing the business connection between our two countries can only be beneficial,” he said.
“We are a lucky, prosperous nation and we really should be helping developing nations within our Asia Pacific region.”