In a step complementing the overall change witnessed under the new board of directors, the International Hotel and Restaurant Association (IH&RA) launched a new website highlighting the association's proposed changes to its statutes, membership fees and other steady measures towards a stronger IH&RA role. The international Hotel and Restaurant Association (IH&RA) is the only international trade association exclusively devoted to promoting and defending the interests of the hotel and restaurant industry worldwide. Officially recognized by the United Nations, IH&RA monitors and lobbies all international agencies on behalf of this industry.

"The new website is built to constantly make "room" available for all the hospitality industry players to interact with the IH&RA and communicate issues that need heads up to ensure a smooth flow of this vital business and maximise its contribution to national economies" said Casimir Platzer, IH&RA President. He added: "Realising the importance of unifying efforts with hotel and restaurant associations and chains worldwide triggered the changes we, as board of directors, are undertaking. These include, beside the new website, an attractive membership fees scheme allowing more associations and organizations to become IH&RA members and hence have a stronger influence on how their business is shaped. This and other changes shall be announced in our upcoming General Assembly meeting next March".

The IH&RA General Assembly will be held in Interlaken, Switzerland, during the annual congress from 10 to 12 March 2014, where a number of issues will be subject to panel discussions. These include mainly online distribution and sustainability.

International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA)

Founded in 1859 in Koblenz (Germany), the IH&RA is the only business organisation representing the hospitality industry worldwide. Its members are national hotel and restaurant associations throughout the world, and international and national hotel and restaurant chains representing some 50 brands. Officially recognised by the United Nations, IH&RA monitors and lobbies all international agencies on behalf of this industry, estimated to comprise 300,000 hotels and 8 million restaurants, employ 60 million people and contribute 950 billion USD annually to the global economy.

Casimir Platzer
IH&RA President
IH&RA

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