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.