IH&RA HISTORY

January 1869, 45 Hotelmen met together in Koblenz at Hotel Trier, Germany and decide to create an Alliance between them under the name of All Hotelmen Alliance (AHA) to defend their interest, and they start to grow and get organized. Hotels were from different standards.

April 1921 various Local European, African, Latin, American hotels association met together and decide to merge into a new international Association and its become INTERNATIONAL HOTELS ALLIANCE (IHA).

November 1947, after the end of the second world war and the creation of the United Nations, Hoteliers from International Hotels Alliance met together with The European Aubergistes association and the Asian Innkeepers Association and decide to merge into a large International Association to defend the Private sector worldwide from Governments, Public sectors, Military etc…and create International Hotels Association (IHA) in London.

September 23 1949, the French Government registered IHA and grant a status of Public Utility Association and Non profit status (law 109). The Head Office move from London to Paris to establish their quarter in the Heart of Paris in a Building of 5 floors.

December 1949, the Argentinean Government recognized IHA and gave her a status of a nonprofit organization under the name of Associasion Internacional de hosteleria.

May 1950, the West German Government recognize IHA andgave a status of nonresident Association under the name of Internationaler Hotelverband.

On November 1, 1953 the United Nations Economic and Social council gave IHA the status of consultative representing the Hoteliers Worldwide and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development grant IHA as a Permanent Observer status.

October 1960, The New York Hotels Association ask to join IHA and become the firs US association to join IHA and become a full member.

January 1978, New By-laws and Articles of incorporation came into effect Worldwide and for the first time All Worldwide members met and did vote to adopt them and werw into effect up to 2008 (30 year).

November 1, 1997, IHA merge with International organization of Hotels and restaurants and they became together under one Association International Hotels and Restaurants Associations (IHRA) still up today.

On January 1, 2008 The new President decide to move the Head Office to Switzerland with adoption of new Articles of Corporations and By Laws till today.

IH&RA is located facing Lac Leman in Lausanne next to major Hotels institutions.

The Swiss Government also register IH&RA in February 2008 with new adopted status.

On March 1995, United Nations admit IH&RA.

AIM

Provide a full and complete platform for formation of Industry positions, International Representations, Information dissemination and International connections in the Hospitality Industry Worldwide.

Protect and defend the Private sector from the Public sector nonsense actions, Governments and various IGO and/or NGO.

Promote the Industry Various Points of view on all subjects concerning this Industry.

Promote sustainability to their members and fight the climate change various issues and the reduction of CO2.

Update standards and various technical issue for the Hospitality Worldwide.

STRUCTURE

General Assembly meet in a congress annually by invitation of a National Association of Hotels Chain.

Board consisting of a President and CEO, 2 vice Presidents (Hotels and Restaurants), treasurer and Secretary, 5 regional nominated Vice Presidents (Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa, Latin America)< 3 Ambassadors nominated (Balkans, Tour Operators and travel Associations, Emerald hotels), 5 Members of Nace representatives and 5 members of Chain leaders representatives, one representing Independent Hotel and one representative for independent restaurant Chain, one…

Representative of Industry supporters and one representative of Industry suppliers, Members can also serve in a Global Council and Financial council and Sustainability council.

LANGUAGES

English and French

Several staff members usually, speaks Spanish, Russian, Greek, German and Arabic languages.

STAFF

6 Paid Staff

5 Non Paid Staff do voluntary work from various Worldwide Associations.

8 Young staff doing training all year around from various areas from the Planet.

FINANCES

CONSULTATIVE
STATUS 

United Nations Economic and Social Council (SPECIAL)

United Nations Conference on Trade and development (GENERAL CATEGORY)

World Intellectual Property organization (PERMANENT OBSERVER STATUS)

Organization of American States (PERMANENT OBSERVER STATUS)

United Nations Global

United Nations World Tourism Organization (AFFILIATE MEMBER)

United Nations Office in Vienna (FULL ACCREDITATION)

Associated with DPI of the United Nations

IGOSTATUS

ILO (PERMANENT OBSERVER STATUS)

Intergovernmental committee of the International Convention of Rome for the protection of performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting organizations (FULL MEMBER)

Work directly with the following organizations:

UNEP, World Bank, IMF, UNDP, World Trade Organization, International Institute for the unification of Private Law, World Intellectual Property Organization, United Nations Foundation, International organization for Migration IOM, International organization of Employers IOE, ISO and ACT, UNESCO, IATA, UFTAA, ASTA, World heritage foundation, etc…

AFFILIATION

IHRA Foundation for the Future FFF

IHRA Earth Lung Foundation ELF

Eurohotec