International Hotel & Restaurant Association

55 Years of Service to the Global Hospitality Industry

Presentation toUNESCO

World Heritage Centre

ITB Berlin – Germany15 March 2004

by Elizabeth Carroll-SimonDirector Industry Affairs, IH&RA

Mission Statement

IH&RA 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, IH&RA 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 Through this unique network, IH&RA network, IH&RA globally represents:globally represents: 300 000 hotels 8 million restaurants

IH&RA’s Role

Monitoring Advocacy

InformationDissemination

NetworkingIH&RA

Representation

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

RepresentationIH&RA Objectives

Monitoring Lobbying

InformationDissemination

NetworkingIH&RA

Representation

IH&RA’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

RepresentationAt local level

IH&RA’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

RepresentationAt national level

IH&RA works at international level to: Defend the specificity of the hospitality industry Promote its image as a global industry Communicate its economic importance worldwide

IH&RA is recognised as the only global body representing hospitality worldwide

RepresentationAt international level

IH&RA works at international level to: Canvass and voice the views of its national hotel &

restaurant association members Provide a two-way communication channel between

national members and international bodies

IH&RA identifies priority issues and establishes agreed positions on them

IH&RA interacts with inter-governmental organisations, international agencies and officials

RepresentationAt international level

IH&RA works at international level to: Defend the interests of the hospitality industry worldwide Influence international policies and legislation

IH&RA is officially recognised as an International Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)

IH&RA has well-established credibility as a valid international negotiating partner

RepresentationAt international level

IH&RA’s contribution is regularly sought by all international agencies concerned with tourism & hospitality

Only officially accredited international bodies are authorised to participate in this work

RepresentationAt international level

WHO - World Health Organisation WIPO - World Intellectual

Property Organisation WTO - World Tourism

Organization ILO - International Labour

Organization

Representation“The UN Family”

UN - United Nations UNESCO - United Nations

Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation

UNEP - United Nations Environmental Program

WTO - World Trade Organisation

IATA - International Air Transport Association ICC - International Chamber of Commerce IFTO - International Federation of Tour Operators IRU - International Road Transport Union ISO – International Organisation for Standardisation OECD – Organisation for Economic Co-operation &

Development PATA - Pacific Asia Travel Association UFTAA - Universal Federation of Travel Agents’

Associations WTTC - World Travel & Tourism Council

RepresentationPublic & Private Sector Organisations

Advocacy Taxation Traveller safety &

security Human resources Sustainable

development of tourism Industry statistics

Monitoring International hotel

classification scheme General Agreement on

Trade in Services (GATS) Intellectual property Standards in tourism

services Tobacco control

RepresentationCurrent IH&RA Industry Issues

Environmental By encouraging environmental best practice through its

annual environmental Award Social

By combating the commercial sexual exploitation of children in tourism

Economic By advocating that sustainable development makes “good

business sense” and contributes significantly to GDP

Sustainable Development of TourismIH&RA promotes the 3 dimensions of sustainable development

Sustainable Developmentof Tourism / Hospitality

Partnerships: UNESCO UNEP IHEI Green Globe 21

IH&RA / UNESCO Partnership

“Memories of the Future”

A co-operative programme designed to enhance & restore key cultural heritage sites around the world

IH&RA encouraged its members to:

Make a financial contribution to a site’s preservation

Restore and convert an historic building into a hotel

Hospitality - key figures: 300,000+ hotel properties 13 M rooms USD 202 billion revenue generated 60 M people employed

Tourism Industry Report for the World Summit on Sustainable Development

Economic dimension:

80% SMEs / 20% branded Major contribution to GDP:

Profits Taxes Jobs Sales

Tourism Industry Report for WSSD(Hospitality Chapter)

Social dimension: Entry to labour market Possibility of further training Labour shortages / Worker mobility HIV/AIDS in the Workplace (UNAIDS) Youth Career Initiative

Tourism Industry Report for WSSD(Hospitality Chapter)

Environmental dimension:

Key resource of travel & tourism Direct & indirect effect on:

Travel & tourism movements Employees Destination

Energy conservation Waste disposal Infrastructure Supply chain / Goods & Services

Tourism Industry Report for WSSD(Hospitality Chapter)

Conclusions: Business strategy:

“Triple bottom line”

Environmental good practice makes sound business sense

Tourism Industry Report for WSSD(Hospitality Chapter)

Means of implementation: Environmental policy Voluntary initiatives Environmental Management Systems Education / Training / Information

Tourism Industry Report for WSSD(Hospitality Chapter)

Future challenges & goals: Education: customers, staff,

suppliers Consistent application of policies,

procedures & audits Work with all stakeholders at

destinations

Tourism Industry Report for WSSD(Hospitality Chapter)

Website: Enhanced Members-only

section (forum, newsletters, industry reports…)

Dedicated platforms(educational institutions, consultants)

Expanded Newsroom

and more…Connect towww.ih-ra.com

IH&RACommunication

Coming soon:IH&RA web site in Spanish

International Hotel & Restaurant Association

55 Years of Service to the Global Hospitality Industry