His Holiness The Dalai Lama Honors Leading Hotels Annual Convention
GLOBAL SPIRITUAL LEADER HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA INAUGURATES THE ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE LEADING
NEW YORK, NY, November, 2005. The Leading Hotels of the World recently held its 2005 Annual Convention in New Delhi, India. Taking place from October 27 to 30, the conference attracted proprietors and general managers from member hotels from across the globe, for an event that was universally acclaimed as the most outstanding in recent memory.
The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd., which was founded more than 75 years ago and today has more than 430 members in 80 countries around the globe, is the largest and most prestigious brand in the luxury hotel sector. Membership is by application only, and hotels must pass an extremely rigorous anonymous inspection before they can be considered for acceptance.
The theme for this year's event was Luxury - A Universe Without Boundaries. The program included a broad spectrum of exceptionally high-profile speakers. Minister of State for Tourism, India, Ms. Renuka Chowdhary, intrigued the audience with her opening remarks, in which she told them, "You do not come to visit India, you come to experience her."
Arguably the highlight of the Convention was a keynote address on "A Human Approach to World Peace" delivered by His Holiness The Dalai Lama, who captivated listeners with his spiritual insights and personal charisma.
Dr. Amin Jaffer, curator in the Department of Asian Art at the Victoria and Albert Musuem in London, intrigued participants with his views on "Bridging the Divide: India and the Western World."
On the second day of meetings, noted designer Mr. Kenzo Takada, and the renowned writer and columnist Ms. Shobhaa De both received a warm and enthusiastic reception.
Interspersed throughout, top management of The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. provided reports on the company's accomplishments for 2005, as well as updates on the outlook for the coming year.
Among the hoteliers in attendance were Raymond Bickson, Managing Director of Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces; Param Kannampilly, Director, Uppal's Orchid - An Ecotel; Gordon Campbell Gray, Managing Director of Campbell Gray Hotels; Alberto del Hoyo, General Manager of The Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows, Beverly Hills, California; Antonio Sersale, whose 18th-century ancestral home is the renowned Le Sirenuse in Positano, Italy; and Andrea Kracht, proprietor of the legendary Baur au Lac in Zurich, Switzerland.
Glittering social events included a welcome reception in the Rose Garden at The Oberoi, a lavish dinner at The Taj Mahal Hotel, a polo match and cocktail party hosted at The Oberoi Polo Ground, and a festive dinner at Uppal's Orchid. The Convention came to a spectacular close with an extraordinary banquet on Saturday evening, October 29, hosted jointly by The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. and Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces, at Purana Quila or the Old Fort, where the red carpet was literally rolled out for the attendees.
"The Annual Convention of The Leading Hotels of the World is the most important gathering of its kind in the luxury hospitality industry," noted Paul M. McManus, the company's president and chief executive officer. "We could think of no more fitting venue for this year's event than India - a region which is so crucial in today's global marketplace, and one of the most robust sources of outbound travel in the world. In addition, its legendary hospitality, rich history and fascinating culture, made it an ideal site for this year's events. "
The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. is the prestigious luxury hospitality organization representing more than 430 of the world's finest hotels, resorts and spas, and operator of WWW.LHW.COM - the online source for your luxury lifestyle.
High resolution images of member hotels are available for downloading through the Press Room at www.lhw.com. For reservations and information, visit WWW.LHW.COM or telephone toll-free from the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, (800) 223-6800.
Contact:
Claudia Kozma
Vice President, Corporate Communications
The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd.
(212) 515-5708
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