Gladiola Dona

Hospitality and Tourism Academy

Session: Tourism-Agri-Food-Processing Innovation, Sustainability and Economic Growth

Gladiola Dona is a seasoned hospitality professional, educator, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the international hospitality and tourism industry. As the Founder and CEO of the Hospitality and Tourism Academy (HAT), she has established a pioneering platform that empowers professionals through specialized training, consultancy, and a vibrant community network.

Throughout her career, Gladiola has led successful projects across hotel management, tourism development, and professional training. Together with her team at HAT, she has developed and implemented innovative and profitable concepts for a wide range of hospitality businesses—from boutique hotels to fine dining restaurants—helping them elevate their brand, operations, and guest experience. Gladiola is deeply committed to raising industry standards, fostering innovation, and building strong collaborations between hospitality businesses, educational institutions, and service providers.

At the conference, she will share her insights on building sustainable industry ecosystems through education, strategic partnerships, and professional development.

Company Profile

Hospitality and Tourism Academy (HAT)
Empowering the Future of Hospitality

Hospitality and Tourism Academy (HAT) is a forward-thinking platform dedicated to the professional development and advancement of the hospitality and tourism industry. Founded in 2015, by industry expert Gladiola Dona, HAT brings together a unique blend of education, consultancy, and community to support individuals and businesses in reaching their full potential.

HAT operates through three core pillars:

Professional Training
Offering a wide range of online and in-person courses, HAT equips hospitality professionals with the skills, knowledge, and tools needed to excel in a competitive industry. From front-line operations to leadership and strategic management, every course is designed to meet real-world needs and global standards.

Consultancy & Concept Development
HAT provides hands-on consultancy services for hospitality businesses looking to grow, reposition, or reinvent their brand. Gladiola Dona and her expert team have successfully developed concepts for boutique hotels, restaurants, and tourism ventures, focusing on operational excellence, brand identity, and guest experience.

HAT Association of Professionals
A collaborative network that brings together two vital focus groups:

Owners of hospitality businesses – including hotels, restaurants, and bars

Industry distributors and service providers – carefully selected partners ranging from food and beverage suppliers to technology solutions.

This association fosters dialogue, collaboration, and innovation across the industry, building strong bridges between education, business, and service.

Mission: To elevate hospitality standards by nurturing talent, sharing knowledge, and driving impactful change across the industry.

Vision: A thriving, connected, and future-ready hospitality community.