Message from IH&RA President Casimir Platzer:

Thank you for your interest in IH&RA! The International Hotel and Restaurant

Association is the only international trade association exclusively devoted to promoting and defending the interests of the hotel and restaurant industry worldwide.

The hospitality industry reaches an annual revenue of 500 to 600 billion US dollars and

is therefore one of the most important sectors worldwide. IH&RA is also officially recognised by the United Nations. The lobbying and representation of the interests on a global scale is of immense importance and the international association stands up for the benefits of the industry and its members with the international UN agencies. The rising costs of online distribution is a big challenge for the industry and success can only be reached if the whole industry stands together. So a strong worldwide association representing the global hotel industry is much-needed.

During the past several years, the world has witnessed dramatic happenings for society

as a whole: a Tsunami, the financial crisis and recession beginning in 2008, the Arab Spring and the various armed conflicts still faced by humanity, just to name a few events that have taken place throughout the world. In the same period, the hospitality Industry has shown its ability to continue growing, to survive in a complex and competitive world and to go on creating jobs, being a significant source of employment worldwide. In times when the revenue is falling and can’t be enhanced, the only chance to survive is to lower the costs consistently. Our sector has demonstrated its strength and professionalism to endure crises. Overcoming crises has been and will be one of our ongoing and greatest challenges.

I invite everybody to support IH&RA in its important mission for the hospitality industry.

Join now, help strengthen our organization and participate in the change.

I look forward to seeing you all in Interlaken, Switzerland, for our next Congress from

10-12 March 2014.

For more information please contact International Hotel & Restoraunt Association
+41 21 711 42 83

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