Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces Partners with Cornell's Center for Hospitality Research
ITHACA, NY, September 26, 2005 - Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces has become a senior partner with The Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration.
Under the agreement, Taj Hotels will sponsor a major research project to be conducted by a research fellow at the Center, and Taj CEO and managing director Raymond Bickson will join the Center's Board of Directors. Taj Hotels becomes the Center's first senior partner based in India .
"This agreement furthers our commitment to build partnerships with preeminent hospitality companies around the globe," said Gary Thompson, Ph.D., Hotel School professor and executive director of the Center. "We look forward to working with Taj Hotels to produce research that helps companies find better ways to run their business."
Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces comprises 71 hotels in 39 locations across India, and includes 13 international hotels in the Maldives, Mauritius, UK, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Africa, the U.S. (New York's Pierre Hotel) and the Middle East. Taj Hotels has earned international acclaim for its quality hotels and its excellence in dining, business facilities, interiors, and world-class, personalized service.
Mr. Raymond Bickson brings to the board an extraordinarily accomplished hospitality career that spans 30 years and four continents. Among his many awards, he was voted one of the Top 10 Best Hotel Managers by Leaders magazine from 1997-2002 and as Best Hotelier in the World by the Gallivanter's Guide in 2002.
"We are pleased to partner with Cornell's Center for Hospitality Research in furthering its mission to shape the global knowledge base in hospitality management," said R.K. Krishna Kumar, vice chairman, The Indian Hotels Company Ltd. "It is particularly gratifying that Mr. R.N. Tata, the chairman of the Tata Group of Companies, of which the Taj is a part, is a graduate of Cornell University School of Architecture, and we are delighted to renew this relationship. As Taj broadens its global footprint, we look forward to leveraging Cornell's renowned research capabilities and working together to get unfolding perspectives on the strategic issues facing our industry. I am sure Mr. Raymond Bickson's involvement will be of benefit both to Cornell and to the Taj."
About Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces
For more than 100 years, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces has acquainted guests with the living heritage of India - and a legendary experience in hospitality. It began on December 16, 1903 , when Jamshetji Nusserwanji Tata opened Taj Hotels's first hotel, the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai. This grand hotel epitomized a philosophy that still holds true today: provide impeccable service and unparalleled facilities so every stay is a memorable one. A part of the Tata Group of companies www.tata.com, India's premier business house, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces comprises 71 hotels in 39 locations across India and includes 13 international hotels in the Maldives, Mauritius, UK, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Africa, the U.S (New York's Pierre Hotel) and the Middle East. Over the years, Taj Hotels has won international acclaim for its quality hotels an! d its ex cellence in dining, business facilities, interiors, and world-class, personalized service.
In India , Taj Hotels is recognized as the premier hospitality provider, spanning the length and breadth of the country, and gracing important industrial towns and cities, beautiful beaches, historical and pilgrim centres, and wildlife destinations. To learn more about the Taj Hotels, please visit: http://www.tajhotels.com/
About The Center for Hospitality Research
A unit of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, The Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) sponsors research designed to improve practices in the hospitality industry. Under the lead of the Center's 42 corporate affiliates, experienced scholars work closely with business executives to discover new insights into strategic, managerial and operating practices. The Center also publishes the award-winning hospitality journal, the Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly. To learn more about CHR and its projects, visit http://www.thecenterforhospitalityresearch.org/.
CHR Partners and sponsors: AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp., Bartech Systems International, Cendant Corporation, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, HVS International, JohnsonDiversey, Inc., Kohinoor Group, Marsh's Hospitality Practice, Nestl'e, Smith Travel Research, Southern Wine and Spirits of New York, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, Thayer Group of Companies, and Wyndham International.
CHR friends: ARAMARK o DK Shifflet & Associates o ehotelier.com o Gerencia de Hoteles & Restaurantes o Global Hospitality Resources o Hospitality World o hospitalitynet.org o Hotel Asia Pacific o Hotel China o Hospitality Initiatives India o Hotel Interactive o Hotel Resource o International CHRIE o International Hotel and Restaurant Association o KPMG Japan/Global Management Directions o Lodging Hospitality o Lodging Magazine o Mobile MoneySaver o National Hotel Executive Magazine o PKF Hospitality Research o Resort+Recreation o The Resort Trades o RestaurantEdge.com o Shibata Publishing Co. o The Lodging Conference o TravelCLICK o UniFocus o WageWatch, Inc. o WiredHotelier.com
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