Hundreds of delegates from 22 countries from all over the World met in Istanbul for their 50th congress presided by current President Dr. Ghassan AIDI. During 3 days of several interesting meetings and roundtables , delegates discussed sustainable development, new trends in Hospitality, relations with international organizations and relations between Hotels and OTA's. On Thursday an Election was held for a new President and new Board as the association's current President Dr. Ghassan AIDI decided not to run again for Presidency.

The newly elected Board with a new elected President composed of : Casimir Platzer ( President from GastroSuisse Switzerland), Jordi Busquests as Vice President from Fehgra Argentina, Ms Hala ELKHATIB as Treasurer from Egypt Hotels Association and Armin Zerunyan as Secretary representing TUROB in Turkey. Two Chinese representatives were elected in the Board, Madame Han Ming representing the China Hotel Association and Zhang Rungang representing CHTA. Genadi Dishev representing Royal Regency International Hotels and Mohamed Najia representing Kuwait Hotels Owner Association. Amelia Tomasevic representing Croatia Hotels Association.

The surprise came at the end when the IH&RA General Assembly proposed Dr Ghassan AIDI for a lifetime Honorary President title for his leadership in presiding IH&RA during 7 years , elected 4 times, serving the longest term of Presidency since the creation of IH&RA in 1869.

During the Gala Dinner, Dr. Ghassan AIDI thanked emotionally all members for their appreciation and gave several certificate of appreciation to several members as well as several nominations for THE CHEVALIER DE LA CONFRERIE DE L'HOTELLERIE.The first award was given to Geoffrey Lipman President of ICTP . Dr AIDI introduced Mr. Lipman and his commitment over 40 years as Executive Director at IATA, President of WTTC, and Assistant Secretary General of UNWTO. Aidi said that he has always been an advocate of the hospitality industry as a force for a positive change, noting that only 30 awards had been given in 160 years history to IH&RA.

Another surprise was at the end of ceremony when outgoing President Dr AIDI called his friend Mr Reto Wittier President of Kempinski Hotels followed by a call with Mr Joe Giacoponello former President of the Leading Hotels of the World.

After citing the Poem of the Life of an Hotelier and reading " I have a Dream " that is written by Dr. AIDI, the ceremony of transition did start and the New Board with the new President took over.

This is my last PR statement as I am following the President to Washington,DC where he will take care about his company Royal Regency International Hotels.

It was a pleasure to work with all of you and I will continue to give you the news of my new assessment.


Dr. Ghassan Aidi

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.

Ghassan AIDI
President
IH&RA

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