Report From The International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA) General Assembly 2016

The IH&RA Board of Directors and the General Assembly met in Barcelona to elect a new President and a New Board after the resignation of the President for Personal reasons. After debating for one day the Board of Directors proposed to the General Assembly unanimously the nomination of Dr. Ghassan AIDI, former President 2007-2013 as President , decision approved again unanimously by the General Assembly for a period of 4 years starting May 21,2016 .

President Dr Ghassan AIDI thanked the Board and the General Assembly for their trust a second time as he already served as President from 2006 to 2013, when he decided not to run again and bring new spirit to the association .Dr AIDI declared: " I am ready to assume again this important responsibility of Keeping IH&RA vibrant to face all the challenges facing the Hospitality Industry today.

Mr. Aidi reminded the Assembly that he founded the Mediterenean Hotels and Restaurant Association (MH&RA) last year in Barcelona, a small association with members from 24 countries only and he will be glad to share his time between both associations. President Dr AIDI proposes to keep the Head office in Geneva as IH&RA is a Swiss Association, and move operations to Barcelona , a city going towards the future of Worldwide tourism and Hospitality. IH&RA's new President will nominate a new Board and present it in September 2016.

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.

Jack Nader
+1703-653-0800
IH&RA