''There are number of possible areas of cooperation between IH&RA and HOTREC", said Kent Nyström, President of HOTREC. ''We shall speak with one voice in representing and defending the hospitality industry's interests especially in the areas of mutual concern such as standardisation, private accommodation, Online Travel Agents, employment and social affairs, sustainability and Tourism and UNWTO convention on tourism protection'', added President Nyström.

''We are very pleased that HOTREC is now on board'', said Casimir Platzer, President of IH&RA. ''We believe that uniting with HOTREC will only result in a stronger position of the hospitality industry and our members. IH&RA has recently introduced a number of actions aimed at enhancing better representation of the hospitality industry world-wide'', commented President Platzer.

About HOTREC

HOTREC represents the hotel, restaurant and café industry at European level. This industry includes around 1,8 million businesses, of which 99% are small and medium sized enterprises (91% of them micro enterprises, i.e. employing fewer than 10 people). These businesses make up some 59% of industry value added. The hospitality industry provides some 10.2 million jobs in the EU alone. Together with the other tourism industries, the sector is one of the largest industries in Europe. HOTREC brings together 42 national associations representing the sector in 27 different European countries.

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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