This time next Sunday, Europe’s airwaves, TV channels and various media outlets will be abuzz with compliments, criticism and much analysis of the winner and losers from the continent’s latest edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. At the time of tapping this column out, Switzerland and Croatia are tied for the bookies’ favourites but I think that Italy’s Angelina Mango might just pull through and saddle state broadcaster Rai with a big hosting bill for 2025. Having just returned from a little spin around the Med (Italy very much included), there’s room for the European Broadcasting Union (the Geneva-based outfit behind Eurovision Song Contest) to launch a whole new franchise in the form of the EuroMed Hospitality Contest. This high summer event will pit Europe’s beachy nations against each other across a variety of categories, while also welcoming countries from the broader Mediterranean basin to add a bit of additional visual and culinary flair, and assist them in bolstering their own tourism sectors. While not explicit in the opening sequence or during commercial breaks, you can be sure that a large part of this programme will be sponsored by Frontex (Europe’s border-security force). The underlying focus will be dedicated to stimulating economies to the east and south to create jobs, improve the overall hospitality offer and ensure that dinghies are more for leisure use.On the flight from Málaga back to Zürich, over lunch at the tasty new Elsa at the Monte-Carlo Beach and while walking through the side streets of Alassio, I sketched out the categories, as well as what some sample voting might look like. As the emphasis is on summer hospitality, the engine of many European economies, the span is broad and engineered for maximum flare-ups among contestants, judges and the voting public. Here we go:Coffee. Nothing sets the tone better than a morning jolt at a classic bar or funky little pop-up along the Med. But who does it best? Are new-gen baristas getting it right in Valencia or are the Italians still the masters? And what about the French? Or will they forever be laggards in this department and settle for bitter brown water with their croissant? While I sampled some very good coffee in Marbella at a little joint run by some recent arrivals from Mexico City, the Italians are still top of the league. Douze points Italia!Beach furniture. Turn over your lounger or director’s chair and there’s a good chance that it was made in Italy or Spain. At the Windsor Hotel in Laigueglia (very much worth checking out if you want an easy beach set-up an hour from Nice, dear reader) the owner had hedged his bets and went with a mix of classic Kettal from Spain and dependable basics from a supplier in Rimini. And the French? They do a good beach but where are they when it comes to furniture? It isn’t a bad idea to keep something from Lafuma Mobilier in the back of your vintage Renault. For outfitting a hotel terrace along from Marseille, however, they’re not really in the game. Dix points for Italia and España.Hotel design. On the flight back from Nice to Zürich, I went through a stack of magazines with various round-ups of new or recently renovated hotels along the Med. If I had to use the pages that I ripped out to inform my voting, then the French would be in a league of their own. Too many classic Italian hotels have squandered their Covid renovation loans to rip out all the chic elements and replace the wonderfully worn upholstery and carpets with wooden, simulated-ceramic floors, mocha leather everywhere and brutal, non-dimmable, surgery-certified lighting. The French, with new additions such as the Hôtel du Couvent in Nice, which opens in June, and the Lilou in Hyères, are in a completely different league: comfy, lived-in, timeless and a little decadent. Add to this new openings inland and France sets a new standard. As for Spain, it’s somewhere in between Italy and France. Some good classics that should remain untouched and some promising newcomers but too many chilly new releases. Douze points for France.With at least 10 other categories ranging from quality of rosé and best summer soundtracks to sharpest uniforms, you can be sure that this will not only be compelling viewing but also spark a new generation of entrepreneurs and passionate talents who are proud to serve, groom, mix and mingle. See you beachside.