Monterrey-Mexico | During three days, the world's best hospitality leaders gathered in Monterrey, Mexico, where was held the IH&RA's 46th General Assembly, from 20-22 October 2008, where 250 delegates & hospitality leaders from 40 nations did attend the congress that was held in Mexico with its main theme LEADING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WORLDWIDE.

This Annual Congress presided by Dr. Ghassan AIDI, President of IH&RA, who was re-elected uninamously by acclamation this year for the term of two years under the hospice of His Excellency Mr. Rodolfo Elizondo, Minister of Tourism of Mexico, along with the representatives of all hospitality sectors, Mr. Geoffrey Lipman, Assistant Secretary-General of UNWTO and Mr. Natividad Gonzalez, Governor of Monterrey.

The General Assembly approved all the work that has been done by the President during the first year after moving to Geneva, where IH&RA did a tremendous job with defining Criteria for Sustainable Development Worldwide in addition to Mobility of Workers Worldwide, Protection of Children in the Hospitality Sector.

The Congress did address some important issues as Climate Change and Hospitality, International Standardization issue for Hotels and Restaurants, Natural Disaster and Hospitality, Exploitation of Children in Tourism and free migration of Labor between countries in Hospitality field.

At the Gala Dinner, The President, Dr. Ghassan AIDI, did honor some personalities in the hospitality business as Mr. Joseph Giacoponello received his award as the HOTELIER OF THE CENTURY, Mr. Richard Duvauchelle, General Manager of Hotel Palais Stephanie in Cannes/France, received the award of first EMERAUDE HOTELIER OF THE YEAR, Dr. Florian Hew from GASTROSUISSE received a recognition for all his work at IH&RA as a lifetime member.

A new Board has been elected for 2 years, as

  • Mr. Joseph Spinato, President of Hotel Association of New York City was elected Vice-President for Hotels,
  • Mr. Bruce Cotton re-elected as Vice-President for Restaurants,
  • Mr. Juan Gaspard, President of HUSA Hotels, as the new treasurer.
  • Mr, Mounir Ben Miled from Tunisia Hotels Association re-elected as Secretary
.

Also was elected

  • Mr. Joe McInerney from AHLA/USA,
  • Mr. Christopher Hartley from Global Hotel Alliance as members of the Board.

Next year, all delegates agreed that the Congress will be held in Belgrade and in 2010 in Argentina.

The International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA) is the only global business organization representing the hospitality worldwide. Its members are the national hotel and restaurant associations throughout the world, and international and national hotel and restaurant chains representing some 50 brands. Officially recognized by the United Nations, IH&RA monitors and lobbies all international agencies on behalf of this industry, estimated to include 300'000 hotels and 8 million restaurants, employing 60 million people and contributing with 950 billion USD annually to the global economy.

VIDEO COVERAGE:

Rodolfo Elizondo, Minister of Tourism of Mexico Presents...

Description: Rodolfo Elizondo, Minister of Tourism of Mexico is a Guest Speaker at IH&RA Congress. He discusses the current progress in Mexico, the process of restructuring the Ministry, and Private Tourism profitability. Event: International Hotel and Restaurant Association 2008 Congress Event Date: 21 October, 2008 Appearance By: Rodolfo Elizondo

Attendee Interview: Dan Murphy, NYSHTA

Description: Dan Murphy, President of the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association discusses being at the 2008 IH&RA Congress and their upcoming event in New York City. Event: International Hotel and Restaurant Association 2008 Congress Event Date: 21 October, 2008 Appearance By: Dan Murphy

An Interview with Jorge Busquets, FEHGRA

Description: Charles Kao interviews Jorge Busquets, Consultant for the Argentina Hotel and Restaurant Association. They discuss Argentina's tourism numbers and how organizations like theirs and IH&RA should focus their energies. Event: International Hotel and Restaurant Association 2008 Congress Event Date: 21 October, 2008 Presenter: Charles Kao, CEO TravelMole Appearance By: Jorge Busquets

IH&RA 2008 Congress Topics and Discussions

Description: The International Hotel and Restaurant Association Congress in Monterrey, Mexico gets underway with Presentations, Round-Table Discussions, and interviews during Day 1 of 3. Featured speakers include Ghassan Aidi, Geoffrey Lipman, Mats Ostblom, among others. Event: International Hotel and Restaurant Association 2008 Congress Event Date: 20 October, 2008 Appearance By: Geoffrey Lipman
Mats Ostblom
Francisco Madrid-Flores
Rafael Armendariz
Dr. Ghassan Aidi

An Interview with Dr. Ghassan Aidi, IH&RA

Description: Charles Kao of TravelMole interviews Dr. Ghassan Aidi, President of IH&RA. They discuss dealing with economic challenges, the long history and strength of the organization, and being involved in pushing sustainable measures. Event: International Hotel and Restaurant Association 2008 Congress Event Date: 20 October, 2008 Presenter: Charles Kao, CEO TravelMole Appearance By: Dr. Ghassan Aidi

Charles Kao Presentation at Earth Lung Roundtable

Description: Charles Kao, Publisher of TravelMole and Co-Chair of Green Globe International discusses the ways in which Green Globe Intl. has enlarged their scope moving beyond, but still including, hospitality. Event: International Hotel and Restaurant Association 2008 Congress Event Date: 20 October, 2008 Appearance By: Charles Kao

Opening Ceremony at the 2008 IH&RA Congress

Description: Event: International Hotel and Restaurant Association 2008 Congress Event Date: 20 October, 2008

Earth Lung Round-Table: Climate Neutral Initiative for Hospitality...

Description: Event: International Hotel and Restaurant Association 2008 Congress Event Date: 20 October, 2008

Round-Table Speakers: The Sustainable Tourism Criteria Initiative Location: Monterrey

Description: Event: International Hotel and Restaurant Association 2008 Congress Event Date: 20 October, 2008

Geoffrey Lipman, UNWTO, Presents at IH&RA Location: Monterrey

Description: Geoffrey Lipman, Assistant Secretary-General, UNWTO discusses the world economy and the effect on Tourism, dealing with Climate Change, and dealing in "Smart Tourism". Event: International Hotel and Restaurant Association 2008 Congress Event Date: 06 October, 2008 Appearance By: Geoffrey Lipman

Rita Haydamous
Administrative Assistant
+4122-734-804

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