45th Congress of IH&RA Meeting Update

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. October 14, 2008

OCTOBER 31, 2007. During three days, the world's best hospitality leaders gathered in Amman, Jordan, where it was held IH&RA's 45th General Assembly, from 18-20 October 2007, where 150 delegates & hospitality leaders from 35 nations did attend the congress that was held at Amman Cham Palace following the invitation by Cham Palaces and Hotels and Jordan Hotels Association and Jordan Restaurants Association.

This Annual congress presided by Dr. Ghassan AIDI, President of IH&RA who was elected last year in Nice and reelected for another term this year, and under the hospice of His Excellency

Mr. Dabbas Minister of Tourism of Jordan, along with the representatives of all hospitality sectors, as Senator Akel Biltaji, President of the Heritage Committee of Tourism, Dr. Omar Razzaz, General Director of the Jordanian Social Security, and Mr. Michel Nazzal, President of the Jordanian Hotels Association, as well as Mr. Francesco Frangialli, Secretary General of UNWTO and Mr. Alan Bryden, General Director of ISO.

The Congress was held under the theme: "IH&RA.......The Next Generation", as IH&RA will move this year from Paris after 65 years to Geneva in Switzerland with all renovations, reorganization and upgrade of its services to its members. The General Assembly did approve the plans presented by Dr. Ghassan AIDI and gave him full power to conduct his plans for 2008

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 as Mr. Francesco Frangialli, Secretary General of the World Organization of Tourism and Mr. Alan Bryden, General Director of the ISO, Dr. Osmane Aidi, Honorary President of the Association, in homage to his phenomenal efforts during 50 years, towards the tourism business, and Mr. Herv'e Houdr'e, Vice-President of the Inter-Continental Hotel group in The North America, East coast and General Manager of the Willard Hotel in Washington DC for Best practices in Hospitality sustainable development.

Next year all delegates agreed that the congress will be held in Mexico and in 2009 in Belgrade one of the New Emerging markets in Europe.

Editor's Note: Founded in 1946, the International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA - www.ih-ra.com) is the only global business organization representing the hospitality industry worldwide. Its members are national hotel and restaurant associations, international and national hotel and restaurant chains, independent operators and worldwide partners including hospitality suppliers, consultants, educators and the media. Officially recognized by the United Nations, IH&RA is an active international observer that identifies threats, sends early warning signals and mounts opposition to all initiatives that could lead to costly legislation and unnecessary regulation for this industry.