InternationalHotelRestaurantAssociation55Yearsof.ppt

International Hotel Restaurant Association 55 Years of Service to the Global Hospitality Industry Presentation toUNESCO World Heritage Centre ITB Berlin – Germany 15 March 2004 by Elizabeth Carroll-Simon Director Industry Affairs, IHRA Mission Statement IHRA is the only international trade association exclusively devoted to promoting and defending the interests of the hotel restaurant industry worldwide. Officially recognised by the United Nations, IHRA permanently monitors major issues of concern and advocates industry positions before the international agencies. Membership National Hotel and/or Restaurant Associationsin over 100 countries International National Hotel Restaurant Chains throughout the world Through this unique network, IHRA globally represents: 300 000 hotels 8 million restaurants IHRA’s Role To be the voice of the international hotel restaurant industry To monitor all international organisations involved in tourism To position the hotel restaurant industry on all major issues To resist potentially damaging or costly attempts to regulate the industry To advocate industry positions before policy-makers and international organisations Representation IHRA Objectives Monitoring Lobbying Information Dissemination Networking IHRA Representation IHRA’s national hotel restaurant associations work at local level: They bring together local and regional hotel restaurant associations who interact with local authorities and politicians They identify priority issues and consolidate support for them Representation At local level IHRA’s national hotel restaurant associations work at national level to: Defend and represent their industry Canvass and voice their members views Interact with government ministries, agencies and national politicians They are recognised as valid negotiating partners They influence national policies and legislation Representation At national level IHRA works at international level to: Defend the specificity of the hospitali